I say this over and
over in my talks, seminars, and workshops. There is a culture in sports that is
headed in the wrong direction for the kids, parents, and organizations
participating Over and over we see abhorrent behavior being defended by one
person or another. They say they didn’t
mean it. They say we saw it wrong. It was in the heat of the moment
Rarely if ever do I
hear anyone say, that is a really bad example to set for the children. Rarely
if ever, does the offender own up to the behavior. WHY? That behavior, like
most catastrophic injuries has a history of events and misbehavior before them
leading up to the incident.
The coach, parent, and
organization have looked the other way because the athlete is one of the most
talented players, if not the most talented player on the team. Everyone has
made excuses for the player or defended the players’ actions in the name of
winning. Others want to cling to that person and say they know him. With the
younger athletes they love to say he was over to our house. I’ve talked to him
a lot.
The bottom line is
that we now have a culture where excuses are made for behavior, instead of
corrective action in many cases, not all. The long term consequences of this
behavior, and there certainly are consequences may not show up for years.
Modeling this kind of
behavior and having the people around the behavior acquiesce to it ends the
wrong message to the youth of our country. The children see it and emulate the
behavior at home, in school, and on the playing field. Adults’ fans and friends
are surprised by either the action or the reaction.
Specializations,
entitlement, pay for play, recruiting 12 year olds. Win at all costs, and
cheating all has a very high price to pay in one form shape or another either
right now or in the future.
I’m surprised that most people are surprised.
How did they think this was going to turn out?
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