In our class discussions the issues of bad sportsmanship/sportspersonship along with the problem of how much the value of winning is detrimental to athletic competition is a popular topic in the modern sports era. In American society we value winning and success, and that is no more evident than in athletic competiton, in particular especially collegiate and professional sports. With winning so important and the goal of many athletes, they will go to great lengths to ensure victory, even if it means losing your cool and letting your emotions get the best of you. What happens when athletes cannot keep their composure and even resort to violence during games? A city near Salt Lake City, Utah learned just indeed what can happen when that situation arises.
In an article on CNN.com they covered a story about a youth soccer referee that was assaulted by a player after he gave that player a yellow card for a foul during a contest. The referee later died in the hospital as a result of his injuries he sustained.
It is almost hard to fathom that a 17-year-old male would resort to violence and punch a referee for being called on a foul during a game. But it did happen, and goes to show that that value of sportsmanship/sportspersonship is dwindling in today's society.
An innocent referee was killed, but this man was also a father and a husband, leaving behind his family that have to mourn the loss of a loved one.
At a young age, parents and coaches need to show the youth that violence is not acceptable under any circumstances in athletic competition, and that the drive to win at all costs is dangerous to all involved in sporting contests.
-MATTHEW MONTES
KIN 577 SPORT & US CULTURE
LT24
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