Hazing as a way of initiating a person into a group has been around for centuries. This popular rite of passage has often included acts of abuse, harassment, and humiliation towards the person or persons being initiated. It’s been recorded as far back as the Middle Ages that first year students at universities were forced to drink urine and endure skin scrapings as their form of initiation into the university.

Violence and punishments are sometimes involved in hazing rituals especially in the armed forces. Although this practice is usually associated with college fraternities and sororities, many amateur and professional sports teams also use hazing ceremonies to initiate new members.

Far from being harmless pranks, some forms of hazing are considered criminal acts. These initiation rites can have long-lasting negative effects on individuals subjected to physical abuse from beatings and sexual violation. Alcohol use is very common during hazing and newbies may be forced to drink until they vomit or pass out. This level of abuse is so dangerous that hazing is illegal in 43 states. Even though hazing deaths have occurred in the past, not all ceremonies involve extreme physical and emotional abuse.

There have been many well publicized hazing rituals in professional sports. Rookie hazing is common in the NFL and recent incidents have made the news because of the reactions two rookies received for the way they handled their initiation. Cowboys rookie receiver Dez Bryant refused to take part in the long-standing tradition of carrying a veteran’s pads at preseason practice. Bryant was criticized for not participating and defended himself by stating that he was drafted to play football and not to carry a player’s pads.

On the other hand, Broncos rookie quarterback Tim Tebow had no problem being subjected to having the middle of his head shaved and was praised for his good-natured acceptance. Dez Bryant was fortunate that the Dallas Cowboys didn’t force him to endure what used to be the team’s tradition of making their rookies sit for long periods and enduring humiliating haircuts.

Some professional sports teams are known for their unusual hazing rituals. The New York Yankees make their rookies dress up in silly costumes usually during autograph sessions so they can be embarrassed in front of the fans. The New Orleans Hornets hold a public practice for fans during training camp where the rookies are made to sing in front of the crowd. Every year the San Diego Chargers’ first round draft pick is expected to take the entire team out for a nice dinner. The players will choose the fanciest, most expensive restaurant in town and give the bill to the rookie. Their most recent victim was linebacker Larry English who got stuck with a $14,000 dinner bill.

Although some of these rituals are more humiliating than physically abusive, like when Oakland A’s pitcher Huston Street was made to wear a schoolgirl outfit to training camp, others can be harsher. During Mike Ditka’s second season with the New Orleans Saints, veteran players lined up the rookies wearing pillow cases over their heads, and made them run through a gauntlet of players swinging sacks of coins and fists over their heads. Far from being harmless pranks, some rookies suffered bruises, blurred vision, and a broken nose.

So whether hazing is seen as a harmless tradition necessary in building team unity, or as a form of bullying that is detrimental to the institution of sport, this rite of passage is a practice that will continue to be performed in the years to come and its merits hotly debated.