Sportsmanship: Where Art Thou?

The NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition winners were introduced during the Colts-Chargers game last weekend.

One such winner, Anny Grant, a 14-year old from New Hampshire sporting a New England Patriots jersey, was booed by fans during her introduction.

I would expect this type of reaction in Philadelphia, the city where fans booed Santa Claus and tossed batteries at then St. Louis Cardinals outfielder J.D. Drew. But this is Indianapolis, a Mwestern city with salt of the earth types known for courtesy and warm welcomes.

What happened to invoke such a reaction? The child was wearing the jersey of a team that beat the Colts earlier this season. That’s it.

How far have we sunk as a society when a child, perhaps experiencing the most thrilling moment in her young life, is booed for nothing more than wearing the jersey of a team the fans didn’t like.

This type of behavior has become more prevalent at sporting events across America, and even throughout the globe.

We’ve become so obsessed with winning and showing the other guy up that we’ve lost track of the true spirit of the games. The fans booing this child should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves, but in reality, we’ve brought this upon ourselves.

Sports are a mirror of society, and society as whole has devolved to such a point where failing standards and values contribute to the weak minded souls viewing the games.

What do we expect of sports fans in a nation where episodes of humiliation, greed and win-at-all-costs behavior pass for family entertainment?

"Incivility, boorishness and crassness are everywhere in the idiot culture that we live in," says veteran sportscaster Bob Costas. "And yet we celebrate all this as edginess. This behavior is encouraged."

When we mix strutting players, hardened fans and perhaps the most important element—alcohol—today's sports venues become ripe for agitation.

Games aren't mere athletic contests; they are in-your-face productions. Loud music and public address announcers exhorting the fans to pump up the volume are factors contributing to an atmosphere of confrontation.

Fans who were once happy to cheer for the home team have now turned every contest into a hate fest. Opposing players must be verbally eviscerated, their personal problems made fodder for derision.

Home-team players who don't measure up aren't spared either. Players taunt other players, players taunt the fans, and the fans taunt the players – where does it end?

The obnoxiousness isn't limited to pro sports either. Many college venues take great pride in their lack of hospitality for visiting teams.

Even high school and little league games are rife with players, coaches, and parents exhibiting poor sportsmanship. I recall an incident when I was playing little league baseball, perhaps at the age of 11.

I was playing first base and a ground ball was hit to me. I caught the ball, but the pitcher didn’t cover first so I had to run to the bag. The player running towards first and I arrived at the bag simultaneously and we ran into each other.

I was a big kid for my age and the other kid went flying into foul territory. The first base coach for the opposing team, obviously being a parent of one of the players, grabbed my left arm and shook me. He rather sternly asked me what I was doing and I just looked at him and said, “What are you doing?” 

I wrested my arm away from him and started walking towards my dugout. My coach walked towards the man that grabbed me and I looked over my shoulder to see the two of them having a conversation.

I don’t know what was said but I can safely imagine what was discussed. My mother was in attendance at that game, but being she is exactly 5’2”, and weighs exactly 105 pounds and has been so for every second of my life, she wasn’t in a position to do much.

I recall her telling me after the game she was glad my father wasn’t there. To be honest, it didn’t faze me that much as I had been exposed to that type of physical contact between player and coach.

The one underlying point that needs to be brought to the forefront is how are we supposed to teach our children sportsmanship when the fans, coaches, and parents are acting like idiots?

Considering how hard it is to teach our children anything today with the collapse of the educational system in this nation, I don’t think we contribute anything that further hinders their ability to learn.

A prerequisite to good sportsmanship requires one to understand their own prejudices that may become a factor in your behavior.

The true value of competition relies upon everyone exhibiting behavior which is representative of a sound value base. A proper perspective must be maintained if the educational values are to be realized.

Your behavior influences others whether you are aware of it or not.

Applause for an opponent's good play displays a courtesy that should be regularly practiced. This not only represents good sportsmanship but reflects a true awareness of the game by recognizing and acknowledging quality.

Be gracious in victory and defeat, and shake the hand of your opponent after the game and congratulate them on their performance. The only missing piece of good sportsmanship is YOU!