Bathurst Tragedy Serves as Reminder: Sports Is Only a Game

It's easy to get carried away with the hype and needs of sports.  For many, sports has become a form of religion and for others, it becomes a platform of hostility and abuse to heap upon anyone who doesn't share their views.

The tragedy in New Brunswick, Canada should put sports into its proper perspective. 

The tragic accident that claimed the lives of seven high school basketball players and a teacher should serve as a rude awakening to those who put sports above even the decent treatment of another human being—sports is not the biggest part of life.

Sports are a great part of life...but it is not life itself. 

Even at the professional levels we see athletes putting their families first.

We as fans should sit up and take notice.

Everyone on Bleacher Report is entitled to their opinion and is entitled to state their opinion, but let's enjoy the great gift of free speech; as in many countries we could be executed for speaking our minds.

However, let's enjoy it respectfully and express our views respectively. 

Sports has become an excuse to heap abuse on fans, coaches, referees, and players.  The "win at all costs" mentality has permeated even the younger leagues and that's just wrong.

Those seven young men whose lives were cut short in a most senseless way should be a beacon for athletes.  This tragedy shows us not only the brevity of sporting careers, but of life itself.

We take for granted the very things we are not only unsure of, but not guaranteed of.  If we think we are owed anything in this world, we are sadly mistaken. 

Life isn't a promise, but a chance.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed. 

Let's remember the staff and students of Bathurst High School as they attempt to deal with a tragedy beyond expressing. 

Let's remember as we deal with one another to treat others with the respect and dignity every person should be afforded. 

And above all, let this tragedy serve as a reminder of what is really important in life—sports should not be our first priority.

After all, it's only a game.