In January 2000, John Rocker, a former relief pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, made controversial remarks to Sports Illustrated.  Since that time, he has littered his career with one unpopular slur after another. His comments ignited a firestorm of debate concerning freedom of speech in America that continues to this day.  Rocker's most well-known remarks from the Sports Illustrated interview are:

[New York is] the most hectic, nerve-racking city. Imagine having to take the [Number] 7 train to the ballpark, looking like you're [riding through] Beirut next to some kid with purple hair next to some queer with AIDS right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It's depressing.  (Pearlman par. 5)

Since 1791, there has been a continuous dialogue in this nation regarding the rights the U.S. Constitution provides its citizens, and, more specifically, to what degree free speech is afforded them.  Although Rocker's remarks are laced with bigotry and hatred, is he open to make those remarks without consequence?  And, if his statements are considered protected speech, should he exercise that right liberally and without restraint?  Does this great right carry with it even greater responsibility?

While I have a cursory knowledge of the legal system, it is still easy to see there are many conflicting views regarding freedom of speech.  Cornell University Law School offers this commentary:

Probably no other provision of the Constitution has given rise to so many different views with respect to its underlying philosophical foundations, and hence proper interpretive framework, as has the guarantee of freedom of expression-the free speech and free press clauses. (par.5)

The idea goes further to show that there are several schools of thought concerning free speech.  Some believe that there should be limitations on free speech based on a complex of values or limited only to political speech.  Another school of thought, considered a broader-grounded view, argues that liberal freedom of speech promotes liberty, the concept of self-realization, and individual self-fulfillment (Cornell University Law School par. 5).  Another quote from Cornell University Law School states, "...the writings of Milton and Mill [argue] that protecting speech, even speech in error, is necessary to the eventual ascertainment of the truth..." (par. 5).  From a legal perspective, I agree with the broader-based view.  The Constitution has given citizens, even Rocker, a liberal amount of protected speech, no matter how unpopular.

Although I believe that Rocker has the legal right to say almost anything without recourse from the government, I do not believe Rocker, or anyone else, is protected by the Constitution from the consequences of exercising that free speech.  Indeed, I believe that the Constitution only limits federal powers when regulating speech but does not limit the actions other can take in response to that free speech, such as individual or corporations.  The Constitution states "Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech..." (U.S. Const. amend I). It does not limit Joe Citizen, the Atlanta Braves, the media, Major League Baseball, or anyone else.

Although the Constitution restricts congressional actions that curb free speech, and while there is no federal mandate for personal responsibility when using free speech, the American society has responded to fill the void.  In response to Rocker's remarks and in true American fashion the nation reacted.   Relentlessly, media pundits made Rocker a villain by chastising him publicly and putting a spotlight on his litany of unpopular comments.  Also in 2006, Rocker was banned from baseball by MLB commissioner Bud Selig, who also imposed a $20,000 fine and ordered Rocker to attend sensitivity training for the remarks he made to Sports Illustrated ("Report:  Rocker calls sensitivity training a ‘farce'" par. 11).  In addition to receiving flack from the media and the punishment imposed by MLB, it became dangerous for Rocker to play baseball in New York.  His comments enraged Mets fans so much that 700 police officers were assigned to Shea Stadium instead of the normal 60 ("Rocker ranckles fans, retires Mets" par. 27).  These are some of the consequences Rocker faced because of his choice to exercise unbridled free speech. 

Just because Rocker has the legal right to say whatever he feels doesn't mean he should.  In fact, Rocker, being in the public eye must act in a manner that will not be offensive to the public.  I like the way an article on Askmen.com sums it up by stating:

Baseball teams work hard to play a positive role within society, with the fans, and especially with children... [t]he bottom line is that as an Atlanta Brave, he should not be affecting the team's relationship with the public. ("Athletes & Freedom of Speech" pars. 10 and 11)

The article on Askmen.com is right; if Major League Baseball, more specifically the Atlanta Braves, want to be a viable organization they, as an organization, must act in a collective manner that is agreeable to fans.  Since Rocker is a member of that organization he must yield his tongue to those that control the purse strings - the Atlanta Braves, and ultimately the fans - or be ready to accept consequences.  Most organizations care about their reputation: whether a church, a corporation, or the Atlanta Braves.  In order for an organization to promote its best image to the public, it will many times restrict the speech or actions of its employees (or members if a church).

In addition to Rocker restricting his speech to promote a better relationship with the Atlanta Braves and his fans, he should also restrict his speech for spiritual reasons.  Jesus said, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."  (New International Version, Luke 6:45).  When Rocker spews venom of hate and bigotry, he shows the world the darkness that is in his heart.  Words from James' epistle are eerily prophetic for Rocker:

It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. (The Message, James 3: 4-5)

The wrongly placed words of Rocker threw mud on his reputation and turned harmony to chaos when he stirred up an angry mob in New York.  And in Matthew's Gospel, Jesus said, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man." (New King James Version, Matt. 15:18).  When Rocker misguidedly practices his legal right to freedom of speech, he defiles himself.

In conclusion, John Rocker is protected by the Constitution to say almost anything he desires, however he should not expect to be able to walk away from those statements unscathed.  Rocker not only has the right to free speech, but also the responsibility to use that speech wisely.  As a public figure, one to whom much has been given, much is required.  The effects of his wrongly placed words are severe and long lasting.  Yes, Rocker has the right to be a dope, but he has a greater obligation to his fans, to Major League Baseball, and even to himself to choose his words wisely. 

Works Cited

"Athletes & Freedom of Speech." Askmen.com. 5 July 2008 <http://www.askmen.com/sports/fanatic/fanatic7b.html>.

Cornell University Law School.  "First Amendment Religion and Expression Freedom of Expression - Speech and Press." CRS Annotated Constitution 05 July 2008. <http://www.law.cornell.edu/anncon/html/amdt1bfrag1_user.html>.

New International Version. Holy Bible. Colorado Springs: International Bible Society, 1984.

New King James Version. Holy Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

Pearlman, Jeff. "At Full Blast." CNNSI.com 23 December 1999.  2 July 2008  <http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/cover/news/1999/12/22/rocker/>.

"Report:  Rocker calls sensitivity training a ‘farce'."  ESPN.com 26 June 2006. 6 July 2008 <http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2499926>.

"Rocker ranckles fans, retires Mets."  Associated Press. 27 June 2000. ESPN.com. 29 June 2000.  5 July 2008 <http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2000/0627/607141.html>.

The Message.  Holy Bible. Colorado Springs:  NavPress Publishing Group, 2002.

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Copyright © 2008 Dustin R Burke | All Rights Reserved

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