Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Good Sportsmanship

We live in a society where cheating, taunting, rudeness, and poor sportsmanship are very common. I am always reminded of this when a server in a restaurant breaks a dish and customers sarcastically clap to make fun of them. I'd like to share some contrasting examples of people being kind and compassionate. (This is my feel good post for the year.) Don't be intimidated by the 2 videos. They are short and I think they are worth watching.

Maurice Cheeks was one of my favorite point guards when he played for the Philadelphia 76rs. I liked him as a player, but I respect him even more as a coach. It wasn't his job to do this, but he stepped up to help someone in need. He can't carry a tune to save his life, but watch how he bails this girl out of a frightening situation.


You've probably seen this story of how two softball players volunteered to help carry a player on the opposing team around the bases after she hit a home run and injured her knee while rounding first base. They could have chosen to enforce the technicalities of the rules and it would take away her homer, but instead they decided to help her and by doing so they were eliminate them from the tournament.



I couldn't find a video of my favorite example, but it involved two high school football players in Hawaii who had just beaten their in state rival for the state championship game. The kicker on the opposing team missed a last second field goal which would have won the game for his team. While their teammates were celebrating the win, these two players on the winning team had the presence of mind to go out to the kicker (who I'm sure felt like crap and was not getting any support from his own team) and comfort him. Most players these days would probably taunt him and rub it in.

These stories are not as abundant as all the negative stuff we usually read about, but I'd just like to point out that there are still many good people who do small and simple things that can make a big difference in the lives of others. I dare you to be one of them.

10 comments:

Kristina P. said...

This makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

mCat said...

I remember watching the Maurice Cheeks incident live.

Great post!

Lisa Loo said...

thanx for taking the time to share the reminder.....

Kelly said...

Now you have me waving my hands at my eyes and asking my kids to "talk amongst yourselves"

tammy said...

I just fell in love with Mo.

Mary said...

Very heart-warming.

Cheeseboy said...

I loved this post! I wish the folks in my state could follow a little line of sportsmanship rather than spreading hate between rivals.

Maurice is the man. He will always have my respect.

Eric said...

Well said. The worst sportsmanship I've ever seen involved a water volleyball game in which a grown man was spiking the ball at an eight year old. Tsk tsk.

Jeanne Estridge said...

Great post. Thank you.

Pedaling said...

I am going to look for opportunities to be that kind of person!