On the TunneySide of Sports December 21, 2020 #827 Up next… Civility Can Bring Respect
After further review… Today’s youths are being denied the privilege so many adults, had as kids. This COVID-19 pandemic has kept them at home and off the playground with the constant reminder to “shelter-in-place.” Playgrounds, like schools, are where their friends are and where youngsters want to be. I grew up on playgrounds, fields, and courts and have always felt very much at home there.
My father helped nurture my feelings of comfortableness on fields, and courts and through sports taught me a lot about people and relationships. Dad was sitting in the stands at one of my high school baseball games when I happened to talk to the opposing first baseman. I lost my focus and was picked-off. “Out!” said the umpire. “Don’t talk to your opponents during a game.” my dad scolded.
This brings me to today’s players and the “trash talk” that I have seen and heard so often on the field and courts. Not only was I taught not to talk to opponents but also not to embarrass them. “Respect your opponent” dad reminded me. I have heard, up close and personal, too much talk and abhorrent behavior that disrespected opponents. Remember, “your opponent wants to win just as much as you” dad reminded me. Parenthetically, I must give credit to so many of today’s athletes, both college and professional, that I have watched during this pandemic season and I see less trash talk and more respect for the other person.
Has the concern for the possibility of illness and, perhaps, even death alerted many to believe it could ‘happen to me’? We have seen the withdrawal of players and cancellation of games when some athletes took the position that ‘it can’t happen to me.’ For those who want to get back to normal, please remember that the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 is still rising!
At this writing, we are hearing that vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna appear to be highly effective, yet the use of face masks and social distancing still remain the hallmark of preventing the spread of COVID-19. As young people want to hit-the-ground-running, and I don’t blame them, we as adults need to be stern in helping them learn dangers still lurk.
Will you K.H.A. (Keep Hope Alive) by not rushing into what may or not be back to normal?
Wishing each and everyone Happy Holidays in whatever form you choose. This is a good time to be reminded as my dad always said, Count Your Blessings!
I thank you for your readership!
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Stories from Jim’s adventures and people he has met can be found in “On the TunneySide of Sports” books now on sale just in time for Christmas giving. See the website for products.
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Thank you!
Jim Tunney
