Role Reversal
Has anyone noticed lately that the sports page and magazines such as Sports Illustrated have started to read like the daily crime page? Is it just me or is everyone tired of news reports and stories concerning the less than appropriate behavior of highly paid professional athletes? Seems like everyday there's at least one new report about some superstar athlete recently arrested for breaking the law. Come on guys, wake up! You have been presented with the opportunity of a lifetime and you are blowing it! Not only are you earning more in week than than the average American will make in a year but you have thousands of young people looking up to you, wanting to be like you, play the game like you. So either step up and do the right thing or get out.
I'm proposing an alternative, something that I think many people could get behind. How about if we start honoring, recognizing and admiring the young athletes, those who don't get paid to play but rather do it because they love the sport? Who in America wouldn't get a kick out of seeing their son or daughter on the front of a Wheatie's box? It's really not such a crazy idea folks. After all we do live in a democracy where everyone has the right to free speech. Vote bad behavior out and good sportsmanship and citizenship in. I guarantee you that if enough people write or call Nike telling them they will no longer be purchasing any Nike products that are endorsed by (insert name of latest felon here) because of his recent activity and criminal behavior, they will listen. Trust me. Who are they going to stand behind, the athlete they're paying $10 million a year to or the consumers who allow them the luxury of paying someone $10 million a year?
Okay, so once we have the sponsors on board, call or write your local newspapers tell them about this exceptional athlete that not only excels at their sport but exemplifies all those qualities in an athlete we should admire: sportsmanship, fair play, respect for fellow players, and good citizenship. Get enough people to do it and they may listen as well. If not, keep trying until you find someone who will. Create a buzz and they will listen.
Now you may be wondering why I'm writing this, why I'm proposing such a potentially far-fetched and radical idea? I started my spring by taking a lot of photos of soccer and lacrosse. Lately, I've been able to shoot quite a few Little League games. I've shot so many images that I easily recognize many of the kids I've seen on the field even when they're out of uniform maybe at the local grocery store with mom and dad. So for me they're no longer simply a bunch of kids playing a sport. They are the kids of my community and they've made me proud of where I live because of their actions on the field. Not just because they've been fierce competitors on the field, fighting and scrapping for every goal or run, but also for the dignity and sportsmanship they've shown in doing so.
Okay, back to reality. We probably won't ever see our children or the children of others adorning the cover of SI. As much as I'd like to see it, it's probably just not going to happen. Local papers do cover some local sports events but it's usually sparse and back page stuff. So what options are we left with? Well, just so happens I have a great example.
I was recently shooting a Little League game. The batter gets hit by a pitch. At this age, you know it wasn't one of those nasty, revengeful, knockdown pitches that the big leaguers throw. It was simply a young kid still learning the game and finding his control on the mound. Anyway as the runner approached first base, the pitcher runs over, apologizes and they shake hands. That by itself would've have been commendable but then something truly remarkable happened. As the pitcher was heading back to the mound, both bleachers erupt, parents, family, friends all cheering and applauding together. Now that's what I'm talking about folks! Wow, what a memorable moment.
Let me close by saying that I don't think all professional athletes are thugs and hooligans. There are some truly remarkable men and women who do so much for their sport, their fans, and the communities where they live. I also have hope that leagues are getting tired of all the bad publicity and press. They seem to be much less tolerant and more willing to punish the offenders more severely than in the past. But as for me, I'm still casting my vote for the kids.
If you haven't been to a local sporting event for a while, do yourself a favor and go. Doesn't matter if you know anyone playing or not, just go and support those kids. Besides the seats are great and the hot dogs cheap.
I'm proposing an alternative, something that I think many people could get behind. How about if we start honoring, recognizing and admiring the young athletes, those who don't get paid to play but rather do it because they love the sport? Who in America wouldn't get a kick out of seeing their son or daughter on the front of a Wheatie's box? It's really not such a crazy idea folks. After all we do live in a democracy where everyone has the right to free speech. Vote bad behavior out and good sportsmanship and citizenship in. I guarantee you that if enough people write or call Nike telling them they will no longer be purchasing any Nike products that are endorsed by (insert name of latest felon here) because of his recent activity and criminal behavior, they will listen. Trust me. Who are they going to stand behind, the athlete they're paying $10 million a year to or the consumers who allow them the luxury of paying someone $10 million a year?
Okay, so once we have the sponsors on board, call or write your local newspapers tell them about this exceptional athlete that not only excels at their sport but exemplifies all those qualities in an athlete we should admire: sportsmanship, fair play, respect for fellow players, and good citizenship. Get enough people to do it and they may listen as well. If not, keep trying until you find someone who will. Create a buzz and they will listen.
Now you may be wondering why I'm writing this, why I'm proposing such a potentially far-fetched and radical idea? I started my spring by taking a lot of photos of soccer and lacrosse. Lately, I've been able to shoot quite a few Little League games. I've shot so many images that I easily recognize many of the kids I've seen on the field even when they're out of uniform maybe at the local grocery store with mom and dad. So for me they're no longer simply a bunch of kids playing a sport. They are the kids of my community and they've made me proud of where I live because of their actions on the field. Not just because they've been fierce competitors on the field, fighting and scrapping for every goal or run, but also for the dignity and sportsmanship they've shown in doing so.
Okay, back to reality. We probably won't ever see our children or the children of others adorning the cover of SI. As much as I'd like to see it, it's probably just not going to happen. Local papers do cover some local sports events but it's usually sparse and back page stuff. So what options are we left with? Well, just so happens I have a great example.
I was recently shooting a Little League game. The batter gets hit by a pitch. At this age, you know it wasn't one of those nasty, revengeful, knockdown pitches that the big leaguers throw. It was simply a young kid still learning the game and finding his control on the mound. Anyway as the runner approached first base, the pitcher runs over, apologizes and they shake hands. That by itself would've have been commendable but then something truly remarkable happened. As the pitcher was heading back to the mound, both bleachers erupt, parents, family, friends all cheering and applauding together. Now that's what I'm talking about folks! Wow, what a memorable moment.
Let me close by saying that I don't think all professional athletes are thugs and hooligans. There are some truly remarkable men and women who do so much for their sport, their fans, and the communities where they live. I also have hope that leagues are getting tired of all the bad publicity and press. They seem to be much less tolerant and more willing to punish the offenders more severely than in the past. But as for me, I'm still casting my vote for the kids.
If you haven't been to a local sporting event for a while, do yourself a favor and go. Doesn't matter if you know anyone playing or not, just go and support those kids. Besides the seats are great and the hot dogs cheap.
posted by Steve at
11:37 PM
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