The U.S. women's soccer team received a hero's welcome upon their return from the World Cup this week. One prominent sports media figure says that welcome and praise, for a runner-up, may be a bit misguided.
HBO's Bryant Gumbel used his closing commentary on the most recent episode of Real Sports to call to an end of what he calls "coddling of women in sports" in wake of the favorable treatment of the women's team.
Had that been the men's team, Gumbel says, the sports media in America would have had a "field day" with the criticism of their efforts, noting it would have surely been looked at as choking.
Gumbel expressed that the "empathy" surrounding the women's World Cup team likely stems from a fear of being sexist.
It's time for that to stop, Gumbel said.
"If the definition of true equality is treating folks honestly — without regard for race and gender — then it's time to start critiquing women athletes the same way we do the men," he said. "I'm sure women won't like it, but blind praise is worthless in the absence fair criticism."
See his entire commentary below.
