A recent article by Jerry Kreber a scout for the Cleveland Indians, and coach for many years in youth leagues and teams has laid his finger on the pulse of a problem, THE LACK OF SPORTSMANSHIP!
Notice I didnt say Christian Sportsmanship, although that would be nice. No.. any kind of real sporstmanship. He says that technology has played a role in making people more prone to taunting and excessive celebration in games. First of all let me say that technology is a wonderful tool, if used well, however the net and chat rooms have made the bantering sink to new low levels. There is no real accountability for words, in fact the NFL sometimes encourges this by allowing it on the field.
Today athletes can post their own websites, and you tube their personal videos adds to idea of personal promotion rather than team concept. In sports modesty is condemned and laughed at, and vanity is encouraged.. As Christians, we know this concept is wrong and harmful to a Christians walk. Imitating the wold, is not the way to be authentic. The way I see it, thank God for your abilities your good health and give the ref the ball. I recently watched a local Furman game and saw good sportmanship. Score, have fun but dont taunt and trash talk. It only demeans you! Am i saying a certain amt of self promotion for college and pro days, no. Its just we need to know how to draw the line!
Witness the taunting of the Detroil Lions defensive lineman as they sack Tim Tebow. No its not enough to celebrate a good play, they have to..
http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-11-02/does-some-of-the-tebow-mocking-cross-the-line
Or an excellent article by Jeremele Hill of ESPN:
http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/id/7177658/lions-players-disrespected-tim-tebow-faith
In it she talks about the way that the media and the world looks at true Christianity. The smug mocking attidude doesnt befit a true sportsman let alone a Christian. The issue is not in the taunts and celebration, its more of why Christians, specifically serious believers are targeted?
Does a fleeting moment of exposure mean that its ok to mock a mans faith? She remarked that people have a hard time accepting a a strong believer because it makes them uncomfortable.
Back to our topic of sportsmanship. It all starts at the home and with coaches,, if they allow these kind of things then the attidude will prevail. Whatever happened to just saying great play or going back to the huddle? why do you have to mock someone else in the process? Parents can condone bad behaviour or even encourage kids to act out by their behaviour at games.. I have seen men and women swear and curse and come close to threatening the refs in games. Kids will follow the parents example.
Coaches can set a good example by cracking down on that "smug mocking" attidude of athletes before it gets started.. They set the mood the tone and the behaviour of the athletes. If you let it go or tolerate by just saying a few words, and let him play, you are party to it!
Brian Schulman, author of "Death of Sportsmanship" and creator of LTS (Learning Through Sports) educational system wanted to create something that taught kids, athletes about good sportsmahship. I definitely think he is on to something. Just because a kid goes to a Christian school doesnt mean he has learned Christian sportmanship. Its not a coerced thing its a learned -from the heart thing..
Here is the linkhttp://www.learningthroughsports.com/star_sportsmanship.php
Notice I didnt say Christian Sportsmanship, although that would be nice. No.. any kind of real sporstmanship. He says that technology has played a role in making people more prone to taunting and excessive celebration in games. First of all let me say that technology is a wonderful tool, if used well, however the net and chat rooms have made the bantering sink to new low levels. There is no real accountability for words, in fact the NFL sometimes encourges this by allowing it on the field.
Today athletes can post their own websites, and you tube their personal videos adds to idea of personal promotion rather than team concept. In sports modesty is condemned and laughed at, and vanity is encouraged.. As Christians, we know this concept is wrong and harmful to a Christians walk. Imitating the wold, is not the way to be authentic. The way I see it, thank God for your abilities your good health and give the ref the ball. I recently watched a local Furman game and saw good sportmanship. Score, have fun but dont taunt and trash talk. It only demeans you! Am i saying a certain amt of self promotion for college and pro days, no. Its just we need to know how to draw the line!
Witness the taunting of the Detroil Lions defensive lineman as they sack Tim Tebow. No its not enough to celebrate a good play, they have to..
http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-11-02/does-some-of-the-tebow-mocking-cross-the-line
Or an excellent article by Jeremele Hill of ESPN:
http://espn.go.com/espn/commentary/story/_/id/7177658/lions-players-disrespected-tim-tebow-faith
In it she talks about the way that the media and the world looks at true Christianity. The smug mocking attidude doesnt befit a true sportsman let alone a Christian. The issue is not in the taunts and celebration, its more of why Christians, specifically serious believers are targeted?
Does a fleeting moment of exposure mean that its ok to mock a mans faith? She remarked that people have a hard time accepting a a strong believer because it makes them uncomfortable.
Back to our topic of sportsmanship. It all starts at the home and with coaches,, if they allow these kind of things then the attidude will prevail. Whatever happened to just saying great play or going back to the huddle? why do you have to mock someone else in the process? Parents can condone bad behaviour or even encourage kids to act out by their behaviour at games.. I have seen men and women swear and curse and come close to threatening the refs in games. Kids will follow the parents example.
Coaches can set a good example by cracking down on that "smug mocking" attidude of athletes before it gets started.. They set the mood the tone and the behaviour of the athletes. If you let it go or tolerate by just saying a few words, and let him play, you are party to it!
Brian Schulman, author of "Death of Sportsmanship" and creator of LTS (Learning Through Sports) educational system wanted to create something that taught kids, athletes about good sportsmahship. I definitely think he is on to something. Just because a kid goes to a Christian school doesnt mean he has learned Christian sportmanship. Its not a coerced thing its a learned -from the heart thing..
Here is the linkhttp://www.learningthroughsports.com/star_sportsmanship.php
No comments:
Post a Comment