On the TunneySide of Sports May 2, 2022 #898 Up next… Bullying
After further review… Russian President Vladimir Putin has been called a bully by members of the press for his actions against Ukraine. He is much worse than that. His destruction of land and buildings and more importantly the deaths of thousands of lives go way beyond that of bullying. Makes one wonder what Putin’s behavior was like as a youth. Was he a bully as a kid or perhaps was he a victim of bullying?
Now don’t get ahead of me. I have not changed the TunneySide from a sports column to one of a political nature. I never appreciated bullies in school and furthermore did all I could as a teacher or coach or principal to correct young people who displayed that type of behavior. What brings this to mind is that now that the pandemic has lessened, and kids are returning to classrooms and playgrounds, more interaction among students will be taking place.
As a kid, I faced bullying on the playground. Here’s one episode (of several) that helped me stand up to bullying. You might remember that my father was a playground director (one of several jobs he held) and supplied me with sports equipment as a youth. When we chose up sides on the playground, I always was chosen. “Aw, we gotta let Tunney play, it’s his ball.”
One day when I was about 9, skinny and rather shy, I returned home for dinner after an afternoon on the playground but – without my basketball. My dad asked where my basketball was, and I said the group I was playing with wouldn’t give it back to me. Dad said where are they? I said down our street about 4 houses. Dad said let’s go. We walked to where several were standing. When we got there, dad said to me, “Which one do you want to fight?” Fight? I didn’t want to fight anyone. But I pointed to Jack Bates, who was holding my basketball. We traded about 4-5 punches. Then dad said that’s enough. I took my basketball and we walked back home.
Dad had grown up without a father and had to fight his way through his youth. He taught me a valuable lesson that I’ve never forgotten: Have the courage to stand up and face what confronts you! It has served me well in my role as a student, teacher, principal, and sports official.
Will you use your courage to overcome challenges you or others might face?
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Jim’s Bobblehead and books examining the philosophy and value of sports can be found in the many books he has written.
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To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.
