The film Murderball follows quadriplegic rugby players who compete for team USA in the Paralympics of 2004 in Athens, Greece. The film shows the speed, aggression, and athleticism involved in playing quad rugby. As well it tells the story of these mens lives as people with quadriplegia. One theme throughout the film is proving masculinity. This can be seen clearly in the lives of Mark Zupan and Joe Soares.
Zupan was regarded as tenacious, confrontational, and tough by his parents and peers growing up. According to his friends and peers on the court that remained even with his quadriplegia. He was an athlete to be feared with tattoos and a spitfire attitude to match. In the film Zupan says that he has gotten into confrontations before where he has questioned "Not going to hit a kid in a chair? Hit me! I'll hit you back." showing that his disability has not compromised his masculine trait of being able to address problems with physical violence. As well, Zupan talked about how able-bodied artifacts got to him such as seeing soccer cleats or photos of him playing sports. This built up a lot of anger in Zupan which could be seen on and off the court.
Joe Soares also displays his masculinity through his aggression and athleticism. He is easily angry, aggressive and was one of the greatest quad rugby players ever. When Soares was not asked back on the Paralympic team because of age he left the US to coach for the Canadian quad rugby team in a seemingly bitter revenge-motivated move. He was furious and frustrated for not being included again in the team felt that his athletic ability (and possibly masculinity) was being challenged. As a coach he was unrelenting and vicious with opponents. His tough love attitude also channeled into his relationship with his able-bodied son, Robert. He told Robert that he should stand up for himself physically as he did when he was a child and didn't fully appreciate Robert's achievements in academics and music. Joe sought, in a typical male gender role fulfilling fashion, for Robert to be a strong man by being involved in sports and by using his physical strength to establish power and respect. Towards the end of the film and after suffering a heart attack Joe's attitudes seem to change somewhat but the prevailing message shows Joe's competitiveness, aggression, and athleticism prove his masculinity.
Another interesting element to this story is that both of these men became quadriplegic in an acquired disability. They were not born this way, Zupan was in a car accident and Soares suffered polio. I think in some ways this amplifies their desire to prove their masculinity because they may feel that they once were at a state of being able-bodied and active, as a stereotypical man should be and now feel that they have to regain that piece of masculinity.
Another point made by the players in Murderball that separates them from other people in the
disability community and affirm their honest athletic talent is their emphasis on the difference between The Special Olympics and The Paralympics. According to The Special Olympics website "[the] Special Olympics is where athletes with intellectual disabilities celebrate and are celebrated for their accomplishments." Whereas, "the Paralympics are elite sport events for athletes with a disability. They emphasize, however, the participants' athletic achievements rather than their disability." (Paralympic Games Website) In the words of player Scott Hogsett in the film: "We're not going for a hug. We're going for a fucking gold medal." Though Hogsett says he respects the work of The Special Olympics he does not want to be categorized with its athletes. In someways divided by different types of disability, but also in the case of many quad rugby players, their disability is acquired. Whereas, those participating in the Special Olympics with intellectual or developmental disabilities are born with their different abilities.
I think this brings up two thoughts. One, that people with disabilities do not generally want to be lumped together in the big category they are and often do not identify with people who have different disabilities than they do. Another that some people with disabilities may identify their disability as better, less limiting, or less effecting of gender roles than another. In the case of the quad rugby players in Murderball it seems that they have been able to create a strong male identity for themselves regardless (and in conjunction with) their disabilities though they may feel intellectually disabled athletes do not bear the same masculine drive of competition.
So what kind of athlete is most masculine? A quad rugby player, a special olympics competitor, an able bodied weight lifter? Does one have to dominate? Do sports have to be able bodied AND masculine? For the last two I would say no, but I am waiting for more media messages to tell this truth. Here's my call for differently-abled women's roller derby!
Images From:
Quotes:
Scott Hogsett in the film Murderball (Dir. Dubin & Sharpio, 2005)
Nice analysis of masculinity in "Murderball." You build thoughtfully on what we discussed in class. I like your conclusion too, I look forward to seeing tough women with disabilties showing how aggressive they can be!
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