Breast Cancer Awareness an Important Promotion for Sports

As I was sitting, curled up from the cold of an ice rink yesterday watching Division II California of PA's girl's hockey team roll up a 4-1 win over the University of Maryland, I was rather taken aback by all that has been done this year by a wide range of sports, teams, and players to promote awareness of one terrible disease.

For several years, Major League Baseball had the lead, taking one game out of the year to use pink bats, shoes, gloves, and other accessories as a way to promote Breast Cancer Awareness. These items were later auctioned off, with the proceeds benefiting research for a cure to breast cancer.

Collegiate sports have also taken up the cause, Cal U's pink jerseys yesterday being the perfect example.

Now, the NFL has taken center stage, allowing players to wear pink shoes, pink gloves, other uniform accessories (within reason), and adorning the playing surfaces with large breast cancer ribbons.

While several have griped that the NFL need concern itself with helping its aging retirees, particularly those dealing with concussion-related disorders, many have championed the NFL's effort.

There is, perhaps, no better way to raise awareness of something than to have a sports team promote it. Sports teams are often the heart and soul of a college campus or, in the case of professional teams, a city or region. Plus, teams and players donating parts of salaries or profits to research only inspires everyone to do more.

I have a habit of donating to any cause at sporting events. I don't mean raising money for new hats for the coaching staff or anything like that. That's what budgets are for. But if an organization is collecting for Breast Cancer Awareness, Alzheimer's Research, or any of a handful of causes, I'm more than happy to give over a few dollars.

This kind of stuff is important. It's definitely more important than the game on the field. These donations save lives and lay the groundwork for medical and research advances.

It's good to see sports branching out to help society. It's what they should be doing. Getting the NFL involved is perhaps the biggest step. The NFL, like it or not, plays to the biggest audiences, both in stadiums and at home through television. If there is a cause being backed by the NFL, it will get traction and support in mainstream society.

This, ladies and gentlemen, is what sports should be about: reaching out and, through entertainment, helping the community.