Ranted: A Pair of Eager Breasts
I’m sure everybody and their dog has talked about (and reviewed photos of) the female Canucks fan who flashed Ben Eager her breasts beside the penalty box Wednesday night. And honestly I didn’t really give it much thought until I was interviewed about it by 24 Hours Thursday afternoon. When the reporter asked me how it made me feel, I realized it made me feel pretty pissed off. Why? Well because after all the articles I’ve written on female fans and our fight to be taken seriously in the NHL, some chick goes and does something like this and sets us back a peg in the hockey world.
Flashing on national TV is embarrassing, not only for women watching the game, but for Vancouver fans in general. Whether you’ve thought about it this way or not, it was a pretty inappropriate move for a fan to make no matter what city it’s in, and Canucks fans have a bad enough reputation as bandwagoners and ref whiners. Do we really need to add “classless” or “trashy” to that list too?
It’s not appropriate for a guy to take off his shirt at a hockey game, and it sure as hell isn’t for a female to do the same when there are many children watching from either the crowd or their living rooms at home.
And yeah, I know that guys will be the last to complain about the Penalty Box Flasher, but part of me hopes that they can understand why hard-core female fans might find this offensive and degrading. It’s hard enough for us girls to be taken seriously by male fans without stuff like this taking place. It’s an uphill battle, and for us flashing goes hand-in-hand with puck bunnies, not fans.
I’m not a Feminist – actually I’m quite hard on my own sex most of the time, but when it comes to breaking through the Boys’ Club of hockey, I’m quite prepared to carry the torch for many women out there. I’ve worked hard to be where I am, and I didn’t show my breasts to get there.
Seriously girl, where’s your class? You’ve embarrassed many female Canucks fans with this move, and I hope folks across the league don’t associate your trashy behaviour with the rest of us.
It’s no wonder I’d rather have the Green Men in her place any day. At least they’re creative.
Boobs? I see them every day, and so do most of the men still talking about this. Get over it guys. The only reason the Flasher is getting as much attention as she is (which I’m sure she planned), is because this rarely happens in hockey, and there are many reasons for that.
If you can’t think of any of those reasons right now, peel your eyes away from the blonde’s nipples and try to see the larger picture. In it alongside of you are kids and thousands of respectable women trying to enjoy the game.
Just to quickly interject – you are correct that the courts have ruled that it is okay for females to go topless, that ruling only applies to public property. As Rogers Arena is private property, the rules begin to differ.
its only a big deal because its never been seen at a hockey game before
its only a big deal because its never been seen at a hockey game before
its only a big deal because its never been seen at a hockey game before
Despite the usual bluster from pro-breast flashing types; I say, good post! This girl needs to grab some class – know when to clothe em and know when to expose em. Expose on your own time with your own group.
I hate the typical crap that gets debated. Nobody should have to qualify their opposition to this girls lack of respect for self, the sport and millions of viewers by establishing whether they are feminists or not, prudes or not, parents or not. I want to watch a hockey game, “no teachable moments” and no assessing
whether my “North American” sensibilities have been compromised. I’m off the clock and don’t need any of the psychobabble excuses made by many.
If a guy had exposed himself would we be hearing the same acceptance? “No!” So, it is not about comfort with NUDITY otherwise we would all be just fine with some loser who gets drunk and flashes his parts. I can guarantee guys everywhere would have been repulsed to see that pressed up against the glass. Well, so goes it for some women. We enjoy the sport, want time to escape the day, celebrate with family and friends, cheer our team and don’t need any idiot flaunting the raunch.
Wow…good one…….
Unless there is a computer in the kitchen, you should not be typing your blog. Make me a sandwich.
Steve
Your life is chill bro. Tell her while she is making you a sandwich to grab me a natty and give me some dome
shut the hell up you are a piece of shit feminist reporter. there is no “label” on female hockey fans, and flashing doesn’t give women a “bad rep.” that is such bullshit and you have no right to put any sort of labels on anyone but yourself because you are a sensitive, insecure person who thinks there’s labels on women being hockey fans.
everyone has seen boobs and it’s not offensive to anyone. as long as its not your breasts who cares? its her decision, it just a hockey game. it’s not like she’s some politician or public figure that you have to make a big deal out of this. you just want to get some money out of writing a lame article with dumb points in it. how can you be offended cause another woman decided to show her boobs, big deal. how does that make the rest of us look bad cause of one persons decision. you obviously have issues if you think its not okay for men to either as you said above. like wow, i didnt know that was a crime. are we in iran? its a free country. get over it.
By parts I assume you mean penis? I mean we are adults right? We can use the word penis without blushing?
I am not sure what kind of anatomy class you took but there is a big difference between breasts and genitals. Breasts are not genitals.
I understand your opinion, but I don’t think it’s as big a deal as you’re making it out to be. I’m also a girl and it didn’t even occur to me to be offended when that lady did that (though that might be because I like the idea of people, esp. women, being more comfortable with their sexuality). I agree with one of the comments here that suggest you cover female sports as well as male if you’re worried about trying to make headway in sports journalism.
And to the people saying she’s just jealous, I’d bet the author is actually rather beautiful if her Twitter avatar is any clue 🙂
I understand your opinion, but I don’t think it’s as big a deal as you’re making it out to be. I’m also a girl and it didn’t even occur to me to be offended when that lady did that (though that might be because I like the idea of people, esp. women, being more comfortable with their sexuality). I agree with one of the comments here that suggest you cover female sports as well as male if you’re worried about trying to make headway in sports journalism.
And to the people saying she’s just jealous, I’d bet the author is actually rather beautiful if her Twitter avatar is any clue 🙂
But there is most certainly violence in hockey – arguably more so than in any other sport that’s not a martial art. I reiterate: players, on the ice, take time out of the game to take off their helmets and gloves, and beat the snot out of each other.
I’ll give you that bringing up the news or video games is irrelevant, but if we’re talking about standards of acceptable behavior and personal conduct in regards to what should occur at a family-friendly venue, then we can talk about the inherent contradiction in accepting violent behavior while overblowing a case of lewd behavior. The reason Eager got sent to the penalty box in the first place was because of his conduct after scoring the goal – a scene that displayed both bad sportsmanship and violence to all of those impressionable youth watching the game.
I’m not a parent, but it would be completely absurd to think that a child is more likely to be negatively influenced by flashing than the copious number of fights that break out on the ice – as the latter is more likely to be re-enacted in school and social settings far more often. I can’t even remember the last time there was flashing at a televised hockey game, so I’m not even sure what the fear is: that more instances of flashing are going to occur (doubtful)? That children are going to start flashing their peers (again, doubtful) instead of throwing fists (more likely scenario)? That hockey will lose it’s label as one of the more family-friendly venues (it’s most certainly not)?
If someone must really blamed, it’d be the camera man who could’ve easily put the woman out of the frame, or the channel producers who didn’t switch cameras fast enough.
They are boobs–relax.
I thought it was pretty funny in light of the Green Men complaint. Otherwise it was just a drunken mis step. I’m sure she must feel terrible now so let us not make her feel worse, okay?
If this were a planned event then I would agree with you. Cheerleaders–ugh.
I should clarify ….
Cheerleading can be great (athletic, creative, entertaining) but sometimes it descends into a demeaning excercise (I remember the Silver Machine neostrippers in Ottawa, long ago…)
Did no one else find it funny in the way that I am sure she must have meant it? ie as a taunt to an unpopular player– a parody of his performance?
Relax there lluoc!
I really don’t see how this one drunk women can set back an entire gender. Beside’s I’ve never personally felt as if women have ever needed to fight in order to be respected as hockey fans. In my book, as long as you understand the game you’re good.
secondly, a pair of bare breasts aren’t the end of the world. If I had a young kid I’d rather them see a breast than a decapitated head or bullet riddled corpse. We here in North America have become weak minded wimps. We tell our children through our own hypocritical actions that nudity is worse than violence. Last time I’ve checked, boobs have never killed anyone. But an M16 has sent thousands of people back to their homes in coffins.
I understand your main point being that this women’s action’s were unacceptable, but if you look at this on a wider scale it’s just a poorly judged action from a drunk fan who just happened to be female. But this doesn’t degrade women as a whole. Just the women partaking in said incident.
You know what holds back female hockey fans. Female hockey reporters talking utter shite. If you really thought it wasn’t appropriate and was setting you back you wouldn’t write an article drawing attention to it would you? Ah but you had to have a slice of what everybody was talking about!
It’s not true.
In part, it’s part of the culture we live in. Females are growing up indoctrinated with the idea that to be accepted you must be sexual, be it promiscuous, being scantily-clad, etc. Many of he females railing against you are these same types of females who feel the only thing they have to offer is their bodies. What they probably don’t realize is, and perhaps do not care about, is nobody is respecting them, they are just being used until such time when they’re no longer attractive and/or something new comes along. People don’t care that kids are in attendance; hockey is, after all, a family event, theoretically. If you’ve seen the degrading comments towards Fleury by Canuck fans simply because he predicted Chicago would win, including making fun of his sexual abuse and referring to him as such things as a homosexual, Vancouver already has the label of “trashy,” “classless” and “tasteless,” and this flasher simply adds to it. It is not surprising though. Some people have suggested this female should turn her momentary notoriety into some type of deal. What deal could flashing possibly get you? A porno film? An invite to work at a Nevada Ranch or strip club? Not to be mean, but she is not even attractive. But when you are willing to bare it all and leave your self respect at the door, I guess you become attractive. There was a time when you needed talent/skills to get deals; now all you have to is flash your breasts, auto tune a lame song or have your pointless life filmed or other inane things. Aim high kids.
In part, it’s part of the culture we live in. Females are growing up indoctrinated with the idea that to be accepted you must be sexual, be it promiscuous, being scantily-clad, etc. Many of he females railing against you are these same types of females who feel the only thing they have to offer is their bodies. What they probably don’t realize is, and perhaps do not care about, is nobody is respecting them, they are just being used until such time when they’re no longer attractive and/or something new comes along. People don’t care that kids are in attendance; hockey is, after all, a family event, theoretically. If you’ve seen the degrading comments towards Fleury by Canuck fans simply because he predicted Chicago would win, including making fun of his sexual abuse and referring to him as such things as a homosexual, Vancouver already has the label of “trashy,” “classless” and “tasteless,” and this flasher simply adds to it. It is not surprising though. Some people have suggested this female should turn her momentary notoriety into some type of deal. What deal could flashing possibly get you? A porno film? An invite to work at a Nevada Ranch or strip club? Not to be mean, but she is not even attractive. But when you are willing to bare it all and leave your self respect at the door, I guess you become attractive. There was a time when you needed talent/skills to get deals; now all you have to is flash your breasts, auto tune a lame song or have your pointless life filmed or other inane things. Aim high kids.
For you Todd I will add flashing is flashing defining; breast of genitals is irrelevant. Thanks for the anatomy lesson and for reminding me it is OK to say words like penis – I’m mean that was the focus of my comment. NOT!
Come down from your pedestal and read the main points:
If this woman wants to conduct herself that way do it somewhere else
Show respect for self and others
This is a great sport enjoyed by women, men and children who don’t need this kind of crap invading a perfectly good “hockey focused” evening.
Enjoy the run for the cup everyone – this topic is now old news for me.
leave the girl alone she was having fun, it’s not a big deal but you’re wasting your time bashing her. and fyi she’s not over weight, whoever said that should check themselves. how skinny should a girl be to be classified as normal weight?!?!?!
So what if there are children watching. It’s not the end of the world. I don’t think a boob is going to scar a child.
This woman was obviously drunk, it’s not like she does these types of antics on a daily basis. People do dumb shit when they’re drunk. So your whole argument about this affecting female hockey fans doesn’t make sense. When did one person’s actions speak for a whole group of people. I don’t believe that anyone would label all female hockey fans as a bunch of drunks who flash people because this one person did it. Same goes for the guys who end up getting drunk and obnoxious at hockey game. That doesn’t mean all guys are like that. you need to relax, breasts have never hurt anyone and never will.
Well said-
thank you ted for a really interesting perspective on the subject. i think the “big deal” isn’t this one drunk woman or the overall shift we’ve seen in society where woman feel the need to be overtly sexual to gain some sort of credibility as an empowered female. they then view the hoots and encouragement of men as validation for their behaviour instead of recognizing that these same men view them in a derogatory manner. true empowerment and ownership of our sexuality as females comes from not looking for that misguided validation but being confident enough not to seek this type of cheap attention.
thank you for revealing that you’re ignorant in your first sentence, it saved me the trouble of reading any further
this girl is hard up for attention or she wouldn’t have had the need to acted the way she did. so this is the attention she is getting. some of us see her crude drunken attention seeking antics for what they are…crude drunken attention seeking antics
reaks of white middle class privilege? what the hell are you talking about? she is simply identifying herself as an individual that is not on the feminist bandwagon…because that is the usual assumption females get when they dare to say that another females behaviour is appropriate (that and being people assuming you’re fat which also saw LOL)
she spoke about it in her blog because it did happen at a hockey game and was a relevant topic, the behaviour of fans has always been up for discussion by men and women reporters in any sports arena…this lady has been blogging about hockey long before this fool came along for her 15 seconds of fame and will continue to long after this subject has run its course
everyone has an asshole too, it it open season to show those as well? not sure where the line is drawn as far as “hangups” are concerned?
there’s a million girls out there with better tits than hers, some even have talent, education or at least a beautiful face to go with them so again…what’s your point? are they taking auditions for people that can life their tops while intoxicated? that really narrows it down lol
i do think that there needs to be a clear line against violence, even in an aggressive game such as hockey and i believe this has been addressed in the media many times and there are strict rules and penalties to prevent it…but it still is not healthy for girls to see flashing as acceptable or tolerable behaviour at sports events. one issue should not be disregarded just because there is another issue. many girls will just look at her like trash and roll their eyes because we all know the mentality behind her actions, but, yes, i do think there are plenty of dumb ass girls out there that will try the same stunt to get their 15 seconds of glory.
do you even know what being in a free country means? what a fool you are.
types of breasts
(boobs)
This has gotten far too much negative attention. Who hasn’t done something in their life that may not have been the best decision. The fact that people spend so much time on this finding negativity – use that energy towards something meaningful. I am a girl and I thought wow that chick’s parents are going to see that and that’s the most I thought about it. It doesn’t change my life so who cares. Seriously people! WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!! The only reason you are so negative is because 1. you can’t afford the nice seats she had and 2. because your twins aren’t as nice as hers!
GO CANUCKS GO!!!
Get over it. I saw this at the Bell Center during Grey Cup weekend in Montreal on the jumbo tron some woman flashed her boobs, wearing a Winnipeg Blue Bomber jersey. No big deal
The sad thing is i’ve seen a couple of ‘copy cats’ on the streets of vancouver after the past few games.
Exactly! If it is okay for a gal with low self value to expose her breasts then men grinding their penises against the glass should be just as okay.
As a fan of hockey, both watching and playing for years, I found it funny to have seen this happen during the game. I saw it happen while watching the game with my family, (wife and son) both having seen it also. Did my wife GASP! and shield my son’s eyes? No. We all had a laugh. Is my wife the kind of person that openly shows her body parts off in public? Not a chance, bikini’s are too reveling for her, even though her body could be compared to the “flasher”, even if she probably has 15-20 years on the fan. Was she offended? No. It was no big deal. My son never thought much of it either. Why? Because seeing a woman’s breast in public is no big deal. He’s young, he see’s many mothers breastfeeding their kids in public often enough. Remember how women fought to have that acceptable to do in public? Is there much difference for him whether a young woman flashes her breast at a hockey game, or the lady beside us at a public place, or on public transit whips out a boob to feed her child? To him, it’s all the same, a boob is a boob, and he will tell his buddies at school what he seen.
Another point I have: were the Calgary Flames, or the City of Calgary, ashamed of The Red Mile incident of years ago? Nah, they played it up and enjoyed the popularity that came with it. Remember that, with all the boobs being shown there? We were exposed to it every night on the news while it was happening. Or how about the Florida Panther girl that stood at the glass debating to do it or not, before finally showing her twins to the world. Maybe she was the leader of the trend?
Or can we perhaps start putting the blame on some of the clothing companies, such as La Senza or Victoria’s Secret, whos designs of undergarments make it more acceptable to show what is being worn underneath. If someone is willing to show off her bra, how much will it take to expose some skin for a bit of fame? And a bra sighting just doesn’t get as much attention as a bare-breasted sighting.
And in reality, you don’t hear guys bitching and moaning about how degrading it is for guys to see 2 other guys be dressed up in green tights. As embarrassing as it is for the whole race of men, they are well supported. Why? Because they were willing to do what very few guys would do. Will every guy now dress in tights? I Don’t Think So.
Give the chick a break, so what if she flashed her boobs on National TV. She got caught up in the moment, she may have had a little too much to drink and did something that she may or may not be embarrassed of doing. Seriously, was it that bad that you couldn’t just laugh and point at the drunk in the stand?