With every new NFL season, it seems like another player is accused of and/or convicted of sexual assault. Most recently, NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown has been accused of sexual assault and rape by his former trainer Britney Taylor. Another case involving Brown was brought up shortly after from an artist who claims Brown sexually assaulted her while she worked on a mural in his Pittsburgh home.

After the accusations, Brown’s position in the NFL was under question. He was picked up by the New England Patriots just before the new season, but on Sept. 20, he was released without explanation. Considering his performance in game one against Brown’s former team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, it is hard to imagine the Patriots cut him for athletic reasons.

Media outlet Vice published an article in 2014, listing the 44 most well-known NFL sexual assault scandals. The article begins with: “When we celebrate these men as athletes and role models while overlooking their alleged histories, we contribute to a culture in which violent misogyny is normalized.”

As mentioned earlier, sexual assault is not a new issue in the NFL, or with other professional male athletes for that matter. Of course, not every athlete displays this behavior. Many outwardly condemn it, but the idea of “locker room talk” is still associated with men’s sports, ranging from high school to professional levels.

“Locker room talk” may not exist as much as we think, but it is still a potential bias held among men and athletes, specifically. It falls back onto a misunderstanding of masculinity and how we define “manhood.”

Masculinity is not dependent on one’s sexual “achievements” or history, nor does it rely on one’s fame, popularity or strength. A Gillette commercial from early 2019 used the company’s motto, “Is this the best a man can get?” to address toxic masculinity and thus showing how men can act without falling into societal expectations. The ad received mixed reviews, but overall, it promotes raising young boys to be the best men they can be.

Unfortunately, a space still exists for “locker room talk” and actions associated with it to occur, especially with the minimal punishment given to high-ranking and celebrity men. This was an issue during President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, as a video was leaked of him making sexually explicit comments about women. He chalked it up to immaturity and his celebrity status, but this is not a valid excuse. Re-hashing this incident and then Trump winning the presidency shows these comments are not enough to eliminate him from the presidential race.

It is imperative to educate young athletes, and frankly, all people, that this behavior will not be tolerated. If professional sports leagues took a stricter stance, it would show to players and the public that sexual assault is unacceptable and grounds for removal.

Our words can change our thoughts. Psychology Today says: “The words we use betray, maintain, or convey our hidden biases.” The ways in which we speak not only change how we think but display any hidden biases we might have, sometimes without us noticing it. Certain biases are ingrained in us from childhood—often developing simply from living in a given society—such as the idea that “locker room talk” is okay.

Activist and motivational speaker Alexis Jones gave a TED talk in early 2017 about sexual assault and its presence among athletes. She explained that sexual assault is merely a byproduct of the mindset that many young athletes are raised to have—that women are at their disposal and are easily objectified. Arguably, it is not the fault of these athletes to have been raised this way, considering that this mentality is present in other areas besides athletics, but that still does not excuse it.

If we hold each other accountable, we are more likely to change the rhetoric that surrounds young male athletes and women in general. It is possible for people to be the ones starting the conversation, the ones who are playing along, the ones who are staying silent, or the ones who are speaking out. We determine the role we play in this ongoing issue.

Also, young athletes need better guidance, focusing on sexual education and what healthy relationships look like, and professional athletes need to understand the platform the hold. Sports fans from every background look up to them, so it is important to set a respectful, dignified and good example.

It cannot be “boys will be boys” any longer. That is not an excuse for this behavior.

Maddie Peters can be reached at pete9542@stthomas.edu.