Sport, Society & Me

Sports used to play a large role in my life and I first became involved at a young age.  It seems like every season I used to play a different sport.  Football in the fall, ski racing in the winter, tennis in the spring, and baseball in the summer.  If I wasn't playing a sport, I most likely had an injury.  Sports have made me a very competitive person and have allowed me to see the achievements that can be made from working hard.  My dad has been a coach for me throughout my life and has taught me that hard work is necessary for everything in life, not just sports.  I also noticed this connection after having multiple jobs and getting promotions.  Often times my co-workers never received promotions while I did.  However it was very obvious that who ever worked harder was mostly the one to get a promotion.  Ultimately, sports have provided me with many good attributes, especially hard working. 

However, I do not think that sports only play a positive role in society, they also play negative roles.  Of course sports can provide people with good sportsmanship, traditions, entertainment, and other positive aspects.  A lot of athletes are even great role models for society.  For example, according to James Riggio, Roger Federer is not only one of the best tennis players, but he also was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador by UNICEF in 2006 and helped aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina.  Unfortunately, many people also feel that a lot of athletes are actually negative role models in society.  All the time we hear about professional athletes getting in trouble with the law.  For example, Terrence Jones, the forward for the Huston Rockets, was arrested after he was seen stomping on the leg of a homeless man.  

Despite all of the negative impacts that sport has on our society, sports are and will remain an important part of American culture.  Athletes are individuals that we respect, look up to, and want to be.  They put their bodies on the line for our entertainment and often times refuse failure.  And even though some are poor role models, there will always be positive role models as well.

http://www.studymode.com/essays/Athletes-Are-Negative-Role-Models-For-623461.html

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1043972-top-25-sports-models-of-last-25-years/page/5

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/all-jumpsuit-team-sports-stars-trouble-law-gallery-1.56536?pmSlide=1.1545966