Dear Sports and Dear Sports Media, Why are we so quick to cancel?

Sportscasters, Sportswriters and journalists work to inform an audience, adding important running commentary and context to the at home experience. However, choosing words carefully has become essential especially as we live in a society quick to “cancel” others often for blatant disregard, appropriation, cultural or otherwise and in some cases the simplest of mistakes. Tony Dungy, former NFL player, Head Coach, Hall of Famer and current NBC analyst is among the most recent sports figures to come under scrutiny for his tone- deaf reaction to Dallas Cowboys, QB Dak Prescott’s injury. Calling the season ending injury “a blessing in disguise” for the Cowboys, Dungy has come under great criticism as some believe quote Dungy chose “arguably the worst combination of words”. Perhaps Dungy’s choice of words were in poor taste, however those advocating for his “cancellation” do not undo the effect of his tone- deaf response. Whether in sports or pop culture, cancel culture does not reverse one’s wrongdoing. And so, Dear Sports and sports media, why are we so quick to cancel?