I don’t often use this blog to vent or post on serious
topics. But I witnessed something recently that has really stayed with me and I
wanted to use this as an outlet to share my thoughts.
I help supervise high school football games every week. And
at end of one of this season’s games, the visiting Junior Varsity team (who won 21-0),
instead of huddling together as is customary for teams to do, lined up on the
field and faced the home crowd. Once in position, the team did
several jumping jacks in unison and made taunting gestures to the opposing
crowd. Again, NOT to their own fans, it was done entirely as a mocking gesture
to the home crowd. After they had just shut out that crowds team. Their actions during the game and the resulting victory
weren’t enough. They had to take it one step further in one of the worst
displays of sportsmanship I’ve ever seen at any level of competition. They were
met with boo's and, of course, the players just yelled back at the crowd and
celebrated with one another to rub it in further. And while the actions of
these players are sad, it's hard to fault them. What's disgusting about this to
me is that their coach not only encouraged this, but likely orchestrated it.
This grown man who is supposed to be a role model to these 14 and 15 year old
boys, is teaching them that practicing terrible sportsmanship is the right
thing to do. They were simply doing what their role model had taught them. And
this situation REALLY saddened me. It makes our future look bleak. I love
sports and I love the lessons in team building, sportsmanship and unity that
they offer. But too often I see completely opposite lessons being taught, as
was the case with this particular team.
So consider this an open letter to anyone in a position of
influence over impressionable minds. You’re setting an example. You are a role
model. You have an OPPORTUNITY to help mold the future of this world. Not too
many of us can say that. And it breaks my heart to see people completely trash
that opportunity.
I want to remain optimistic. And I still am. The glass is
always half full for me. But acts like the one I witnessed in this game pour a little
bit of water out of that glass. So anyone reading this, put a little back in
that cup for me. Do something good in this world. Spread positivity. Brighten
someone’s day. Encourage someone. Teach someone something. Love someone.
Forgive someone.
Never forget your influence on others. A little can go a
long way.
