Due to the recent controversy in the NFL regarding bullying issues with the Miami Dolphins team, The Miami Herald spoke with WWE Hall Of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase about bullying in sports and pro wrestling.
The following are highlights from the interview:
On bullying in general: “Whether it’s wrestling or football or whatever, when you are the rookie or the new kid, there are things they will put you through to break you in. Some of it I think is fine, but when it comes to bullying, and on the level this appears to be, there is no place for that.”
On work he does with the bullying issue: “I do school assemblies and talk to kids about bullies. Basically, in my opinion, most bullies are cowards because most bullies don’t pick on people their own size. They pick on someone smaller, or maybe not smaller like in this case, [rather] underneath you of rank. The whole I’m a veteran and you’re the rookie, and you’re going to smile and take it because I’m the veteran.”
On racism and name-calling: “There is no place for name calling. There is no place for racism, if in fact that is what is involved here. I don’t know what went on behind the scenes. Just from the stories I’ve heard, if I was owner of the team, I would have been appalled.”
Check out the complete interview online at MiamiHerald.com.
