OT: Vikings player to fast during camp/preseason

[Mike the Brit]

I think it's a little more complicated in this case, because the employer is asking the employee to do something that has some inherent risks already.

Obviously, observing Ramadan isn't just a whim, it's a requirement of the faith. Most Muslim athletes (and even just regular folks with serious fitness regimes) routinely alter their workout patterns during Ramadan and monitor their bodies carefully to avoid danger.

Given that the team and its doctors handle the pacing and monitoring in this case, how much responsibility do they bear for the player's well-being? What should he expect of them, and what should they expect of him in terms of safety and communication? IMO it ought to be worked out in advance, in writing, not just because of the threat of lawsuits but to protect the player's health.

Pretty much every job has some inherent risks. And I'd say that just shows the opposite. Say your employment requires you to drive a truck. Surely it should be understood by any reasonable person that you must not increase the inherent risks by risky behaviour of your own (driving stoned or drunk or while talking on a mobile phone) and that, if you do that, it should be you that bear the consequences. You're the one who made something that is somewhat risky far more so. On the other hand, it seems equally obvious to me that the employer has to take reasonable steps to protect you -- make sure your truck has safe brakes and so on, but that's another matter.

Which is not to say that, for Muslims, Ramadam is a whim. Far from it. Nor is it easy, as I've observed, particularly when the month is before the equinox and you are fairly far north. It's tough to sustain whatever your job. For an athlete, I imagine it is almost impossible to perform at anything like your peak. But it's your decision -- I guess you can get a lot out of training camp even if you're far from being in peak condition.

I'm not saying this to excuse those clubs who think that the way to prepare athletes is to subject them to extremes way beyond what is healthy (practising in extreme heat without water) and see if they break. Those b*st*rds deserve to get sued (the more so since there's no reason to think that it's even an effective way to train.)

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm Irish. I tried fasting from beer and potatoes for a week or so but it was an utter failure. I beat my girlfriend senselessly, cried, and then wandered around the city for a couple of days fighting for money.

 

[shmessy]

I'm Irish. I tried fasting from beer and potatoes for a week or so but it was an utter failure. I beat my girlfriend senselessly, cried, and then wandered around the city for a couple of days fighting for money.

Grampa!!!! Where ya been?????????

 

[mgteich]

I think it unreasonable to expect that a Muslim should not work for the entire month. Yom Kippur is only one day.

The only issue I see here is the health need for hydration. My guess is that the local imam would counsel that water is allowed. With regard to responsibility, the team is ultimatley responsible. If they do not want the risk, then requiring a waiver before practicing is indeed in order.

It would seem that the team has found a way to mitigate the risk.

Same thing with Jews and fasting on Yom Kippur. Probably most religions, I guess.

And one could rightly say that this gives him the option to drink during practice. But IMO (from a religious perspective) one could more rightly say that he should not be practicing.

I commend him for following his faith. I hope he doesn't get ill as a result.