George Orwell once said "Serious sport has nothing to do with fair play. It is bound up with hatred, jealousy, boastfulness, disregard of all rules and sadistic pleasure in witnessing violence: in other words it is war minus the shooting." He was exactly right. Violence in sports has always been a hot topic in the media, as every major sport goes through cycles of incidents that make the headline news.

Take the NHL's Todd Bertuzzi, for example. A couple of years ago, he punched Steve Moore, an opposing Colorado Avalanche player, in the back of the head and drove him into the ice during a game. Unfortunately, Moore sustained a major concussion and a broken neck, as well as a variety of other facial injuries. Bertuzzi was harshly reprimanded by the NHL; he was fined and suspended for the rest of the season. Many teams then lost interest in the onetime star, who's career began a downward spiral as a result of the incident. Bertuzzi even faced accusations of criminal charges for the illegal hit.

Hockey isn't the only sport where brutal violence occurs. Case in point Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green. Last season, while sliding to the ground, Green was knocked unconscious by an opposing player who struck him directly in the head. Green was carried off the field in a stretcher, and his ensuing concussion and related problems cost him the rest of the season and possibly his starting job. The player who dealt out the hit was not suspended by the league.

Even sports that aren't normally considered violent have cases where athletes are seriously injured as a result of actions from other players. Baseball players often sustain concussions after being hit by pitches or line drives put into play. Just like every other summer, several dugout clearing brawls will erupt in the MLB this season, resulting in fisticuffs in America's "gentleman's" game. Basketball also sees its fair share of violent acts- I think we all remember the incident at The Palace between the Pistons, Pacers, and some rowdy fans.

All contact sports contain certain levels of physical violence, but they also include restrictions and penalties for excessive and dangerous acts of force. One thing is certain, however- violence sells. Violence makes the headlines, violence attracts fans, and violence separates athletes from the average people. The truth of the matter is that we need violence in our sports for a couple of reasons.

One, we need to be entertained. When we see fights and illegal hits, we take pleasure in embracing what it will mean to our favorite team or player.

And two, we need the release that witnessing violence gives us. Most people would prefer not to be assaulted by a 250-lb. athlete, but watching it happen to someone else gives us the thrill without the bumps and bruises.

There is a psychological reason that these acts appeal to those types of citizens who love sports. "Intermittent Explosive Disorder," is coined as the reason that males (particularly athletic males) are predisposed to violence. High levels of testosterone lead these athletes and fans to enact all sorts of violent acts, including threats, verbal abuse, and actual physical harm, of both the legal and illegal variety.

Fans are often times just as violent as the athletes they admire, whether it be getting in fights over the result of a game or rioting after a team's big win or loss. The major concept at play here is that people love to see violence. There is an animalistic appeal to witnessing or partaking in violent acts, and because the athletes committing such acts are high profile to begin with, they are perpetrated as justifiable and are accepted as "part of the game."

Whether or not violence on the field of play should be punishable in the court of law is an issue that is argued vehemently from both sides. Why should a man be able to break another man's neck on an ice rink and not get punished, while if that same thing happened to Average-Joe in a bar fight he would be facing assault and battery charges?

When it comes to athletes, there is a general code of sportsmanship in every professional sport. Rules and penalties generally prevent things from getting too out of hand, but sometimes tempers boil over and these IED afflicted players will act on their emotions, regardless of the cost. By releasing this pent up frustration, the players are setting a bad example that is being imitated by future generations of young athletes. S

everal steps can be taken to instill good values in maturing young players. Emphasizing sportsmanship, promoting positive role models (however rare they may be), and imposing tougher penalties on those who instigate illegal violent acts will ensure that the athletic youth is being shown the proper way to conduct themselves.

While some fans don't see the necessity of violence in sports, it has undoubtedly become a vital part of keeping the major leagues competitive. Fans must remember, however, that professional sports has become comparable to an entirely different world, where different rules apply and commonly frowned upon acts are not only justified, but glorified.