Sport, Society, & Me

I grew up playing sports, like most kids I engaged in a range of sports, I played peewee baseball, soccer, tennis, and even tried track; I was interested in any activity in which I could exert my energy. In high school I joined the rugby team where we later won a state championship, which is a memory and achievement that I will never forget. For me sports have been a source of exercise, a way to relieve stress, an outlet for my competitive nature, but most importantly it has been an activity for enjoyment. In addition to this, sports have given me another family; regardless of race, religion, class, or creed sports has emphasized the value of unity and support on and off the field. Aside from playing sports, they have always served as entertainment that have and continue to bring my family and friends together. Sunday is day where we all get together to watch the Broncos; it is a routine that I love and cherish.

However, It is important to note that sports provide both a positive and negative role in U.S. culture and around the world for that matter. Sports reinforce values of dedication, perseverance, and teamwork, which are all beneficial, however, by the same token sports can also create tension and animosity amongst players and fans. The recent incident that occurred in the NFC championship game involving Richard Sherman and Michael Crabtree highlights many of the issues that sports can create. Within the twittersphere there has been a lot of racial backlash that has been directed towards Sherman as a result of his post game comments. This underlines the hostility and violence that sports create. Prior to Sherman’s comments he was regarded at the best corner in the league, however, recent narratives have tried to deem him as a “thug” given his African American background and or undermine not only his physical talent but also his character. This is one example that highlights the presence of racism and hostility as well as the small triggers that create such negative reactions within the sports world.