What's Right With Sports

It would be incomplete to list what’s wrong with sports without listing what’s right with sports. Because at it’s best, sports are incredible.
-The scoreboard. While it might not be the best thing to keep score in six year old soccer and baseball games, eventually the lights have to come on. The scoreboard doesn’t mean winning is everything; keeping track of who is trying to win is everything. Run not to win the race, but as to win the race.
-Food and drinks. Could you begin to imagine watching a Saturday or Sunday afternoon without chicken wings, pop chips and dip, beer, burgers, hot links and those little round tortilla things with cheese inside? Snacks are what make being lazy all day great because it’s no fun being unproductive if you can’t eat unhealthy.
-Charity. You hear about athletes all the time setting up organizations in their hometown or giving money to those who experienced tragedy. Yes, athletes probably make too much money these days but when they give back you have to be thankful for those large salaries. It is hard to find a better sight than seeing a pro athlete donate some toys and time to underprivileged children.
-Cheerleaders and the band. They fight half the battle in making the game a great experience. They’re happy and peppy and fun to look at it. They make lots of noise and get everyone in the mood to be a crazy fan. In fact, maybe the NFL should start using more cheerleaders and band member like college football.
-Teams that play like teams. Is it any coincidence that two most successful franchises of this decade are the two teams that play the best together? Both the San Antonio Spurs and the New England Patriots are full of guys who go out there and just do their job and let everyone else do their own job. They really haven’t always been the most talented but their combined efforts propel them to victory. But sometimes it’s nice to see one person, which brings us to the next point.
-The great individual. Now great individuals aren’t always “I” guys who only care about themselves but they are guys who lead, or drag, the rest of the team. Michael Jordan is a great example, one of the best ever but still understood what it meant to be part of the team. You need that great player, because eventually, there will be game and moment where one individual as to leave everyone else behind and make a great individual play.
-Sports columnists. Okay, so these guys are also on the “what’s wrong with sports” list and for good reason. But they do have some good in them as well. They call out players, coaches, owners when they are dead wrong from the security of their computer. They also shed light on great stories in obscure places that no one has ever heard of. They have their place because we all need someone to bring up good watercooler conversation.