Netflix’s “The Crash” led me to examine how audiences respond to tragedy when athletes are involved. And I don’t mean when the athlete’s the victim.
This week Netflix released their new documentary The Crash. While not a sports story, per se, the media attention surrounding the documentary, the case itself, and those involved does address a larger sports culture issue; the celebrity and privilege allotted to professional athletes.
If you haven’t watched the documentary yet, I highly recommend you do so.
Who is Mackenzie Shirilla
In 2022, Mackenzie Shirilla crashed her car into a brick wall going over 160km per hour (100mph). The crash killed her boyfriend Dominic Russo, friend Davion Flanagan, and left herself in critical condition. The subsequent investigation concluded that Mackenzie intentionally drove her vehicle into the wall.
Now, I’m not here to pass judgement on Mackenzie Shirilla’s actions, or discuss her innocence or guilt.
However, I am here to address the media response to Mackenzie Shirilla’s actions compared to how the media responds to professional athletes when they engage in the same behaviour.
The Double Standard
Back in 2016, another case not unlike this one took place in Miami, Florida. A young man was involved in a high-speed collision while under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. The collision resulted in the death of the man’s two friends and himself.
Who was this man? Jose Fernandez.
An investigation into the Jose Fernandez case determined Fernandez had consumed double the legal amount when operating a vehicle, and had cocaine in his system. Had he survived, Fernandez would likely have been charged with manslaughter and/ or vehicular homicide for his role in the death of his friends.
Comparison
While one was determined a ‘mean girl’ in nature – an image that would aid in a guilty verdict – the other received emotional tributes and stadium memorials. While Mackenzie’s social media posts, including a post made a year prior to the accident, were used to destroy her credibility, Jose Fernandez received year long tributes throughout various major league sports organizations.
Once again, I’m not trying to sell the idea that Mackenzie Shirilla is innocent. But let’s actually look at the facts. Both chose to operate motor vehicles while impaired. Both were responsible for two other human beings while operating those vehicles. Both individuals actions resulted in the deaths of two innocent people. The only real differences; Shirilla was a 17 year-old girl and Fernandez was a 23 year-old man. One was ‘normal’ and the other was famous.
The aftermath; one was vilified and the other received multi-game tributes, moments of silence, “Best Moment Awards” etc.
Fernandez wasn’t a tragic accident. This was a grown man choosing to drink. Choosing to do drugs. Choosing to operate a vehicle dangerously. And choosing to do so while responsible for two other lives.
I’m genuinely curious. Was he ‘that’ good of a baseball player that he’s allowed to commit multiple felonies and kill two of his friends? What is it about athletes that allows them to avoid accountability and judgement?
Other Examples
Aaron Hernandez 
2 of Aaron Hernandez’s 3 victims; Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado 
O.J. Simpson 
Murder of Nicole Brown Smith, O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife 
Ray Lewis 
2 of the victims in the Ray Lewis bar fight – Richard Lollar and Jacinth Baker. 
Leonard Little 
47 year-old Susan Gutweiler was struck and killed by Leonard Little while returning from her sons birthday party 
Henry Ruggs 
23 year-old Tina Tintor was struck and killed by Henry Ruggs. She burned alive with her dog following the collision
Jose Fernandez isn’t the only one. He’s just one of many athletes that’ve been afforded the privilege of avoiding scrutiny and responsibility for his violent and preventable actions.
Aaron Hernandez is still discussed (albeit, not in such large circles) by some as one of the greatest missed opportunities in football. This might just be me, but I don’t think a serial killer should be discussed for their accomplishments in any capacity. His football career and any praise should have died with him.
O.J Simpson, a massively controversial trial with divided opinions. But let’s not forget that he got away with murder. He got away with it. They could prove Mackenzie Shirilla’s intent without a shroud of doubt, but couldn’t secure a conviction for O.J Simpson. Not the best comparison, but it shocks me, even years later, that he escaped conviction for the intentional murder of two people – one being his wife.
Ray Lewis, a former Baltimore Raven, was involved in a bar fight that ultimately left two people dead (including a father-to-be whose daughter was born shortly following the incident). Ray Lewis was charged with obstruction of justice and made to pay $250,000. He went on to win SuperBowl MVP the following year.
Leonard Little was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1998 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams. That same year, Little struck and killed a woman named Susan Gutweiler while driving under the influence. Gutweiler was a 47 year-old man who was returning from her son’s birthday at the time of the incident. Little faced no jail time and went on to play professional football until 2009. This was 5 years after a second conviction for driving under the influence.
Henry Ruggs, during his second season with the NFL, struck and killed another driver while intoxicated. The other driver, 23 year-old Tina Tintor, burned to death (along with her dog) after being struck. Ruggs may only spend 3 years in jail, being eligible for parole this year. He’s being held in a minimum security prison and spends his days working in the Nevada governors mansion. In response to the situation, another NFL player tweeted “We young…everybody makes mistakes…he knows he messed up, don’t drag him down for it…that’s goofy to me.”
I found these examples in the first 3 minutes of my search. I’m sure if I dedicated more time to this, I’d come back with ample examples across all major sports.
The reality is that male athletes, whether that be professional, minor league, or local, are afforded privileges that either allow them to avoid culpability, or avoid public scrutiny.
A Growing Problem
And yes, it is happening outside professional sports. Don’t believe me?
Brock “Allen” Turner, a Stanford college swimmer, received only 3 months for sexual assault. The entire town of Steubenville rallied to protect two high school football players who’d raped their classmate. Members of Glen Ridge high school’s football team received special treatment following the gang rape of a disabled girl. Parker Kingston, BYU wide receiver, roamed free for an entire year (even proposing to his girlfriend) following the rape of a young woman. Jesse Butler, high school football player, faced 78 years in prison for the rape and strangulation of two women. Butler received a slap on the wrist and community service.
Quick side note: Can I just say that, if Mackenzie Shirilla dressing up for Halloween is inappropriate, then Jesse Butler wearing pit vipers to court is also inappropriate.
Conclusion
My final point; Mackenzie Shirilla shouldn’t be afforded the same privilege as male athletes. Rather, we need to stop idolizing athletes in such a way that they’re allowed to avoid accountability. Every athlete that committed manslaughter or murder should face the same level of public scrutiny and accountability as Mackenzie Shirilla.
The World In Play
Exploring the Culture of Sports and the Games that Define