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Gun Culture Among College Athletes Needs to Be Addressed
College coaches often talk about “the standard,” “the process,” and “team culture,” but what about the spreading disease of gun culture? This trend among young athletes surrounding themselves with guns and possessing them must not be tolerated or allowed. As spring football ends and conferences prepare for their annual meetings, it’s crucial to have serious discussions about gun culture among college basketball and football players.
Recent incidents involving college athletes and guns are growing concerning. Three months ago, Alabama basketball players were involved in a shooting death, and just over a week ago, Memphis-bound basketball player Mikey Williams was arrested for felony assault with a firearm. Williams had everything – fame, endorsements, and a promising basketball career ahead of him, yet he risked it all for a gun.
It’s time to treat gun culture among college athletes like an American disease and address it as such. College coaches, administrators, and conferences must take responsibility to keep their teams and athletic departments gun-free. Athletes must understand that playing college sports is a privilege, not a right.
Coaches and administrators must create a culture that discourages gun possession and promote gun-free lifestyles, even making it an integral part of the athlete’s NIL deals. The recent incidents involving college athletes and guns are alarming, and coaches cannot ignore the growing trend.
Hard decisions must be made to handle these incidents, and the universities must not prioritize winning games and selling tickets above the safety of their student-athletes. The consequences of gun violence can be extreme, affecting both their professional careers and their personal lives.
In conclusion, the rise of gun culture among college athletes is a problem that cannot be ignored. Coaches, administrators, and conferences need to prioritize the safety of their student-athletes and work to create a culture of gun-free lifestyles. Only then can we ensure that college sports remain a place where talent and hard work are rewarded, not dangerous behavior that could jeopardize athletes’ future success.
