As you probably already know, Serena Williams’ outburst in Saturday night’s match against Kim Clijsters prompted me to write about something that really bugs me, a long line of athletes who have demonstrated bad behavior. As the mother of athletic boys who no doubt look up to professional athletes, it’s frustrating. Famous athletes (both men and women) are revered by their fans worldwide, since a large portion of the fan base is made up of children, it’s no wonder why they idolize their favorite sports men and women, but also copy what they do. Whether on or off the field, court or ice, athletes are in the public eye and need to remember that they can make an impact – positive or negative – and should try to live by example, especially considering their large salaries.
So here’ my question, what do you think? Does the conduct of sports fugures affect the way our sons behave?
On another more disturbing note, every day sports officials are physically and verbally harassed. Most incidents do not require police or medical assistance, but in some cases, the harassment turns violent. Why is this happening and why so frequently?
The National Association of Sports Officials website lists some examples, including:
- Kentucky (Basketball) — During a fifth grade little league game in Adair County, one players father (and a teacher for the school district) physically confronted the game official during half-time after the official ejected several players for a fight that broke out during the first half of the game. (Contributing source: WBKO-TV, 1/13/04)
- New Jersey (Soccer) — Referee James Clay, a 50-year-old with seven years of officiating experience, was slugged in the head and neck after ejecting a Clayton High School player with 12:47 left in a scoreless game, 10/10/03. The player, who had received a yellow card earlier in the game for incidental cursing, was given a red-yellow card for taunting about 15 minutes after the first incident. A red-yellow results in immediate ejection. The player, whose name cannot be released because he is younger than 18, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault. He was released to the custody of his parents. (Contributing source: Philadelphia Inquirer — Reported in Referee 1/04 issue.)
- Ohio (Hockey) – A 13-year-old player for a Cleveland Heights youth hockey team will be charged with assault in juvenile court after a referee was hit on the ice after a game, police said. The player punched a referee in the face, knocking him down, police said. According to Rocky River Police Department Detective Phil Morrin, it marks the first time anyone has faced criminal charges in a youth-sports event in the city. The suspension could be extended to a year following a hearing by USA Hockey, the sport’s national governing organization. (November 2002)
In an article on good sportsmanship, “it’s about teaching positive self-esteem, learning from adversity and winning even when the score says you lost.”
In an article about when kids are bad sports parents, “Even though you might be appalled by your child’s display of bad sportsmanship, it’s important to remain calm during the conversation. Be clear about your values and expectations.”
As parents, it’s our job to discuss what is acceptable behavior with our children, to teach them about good character and good sportsmanship. Sports are fun, but there is nothing fun about a bad sport. Teach them respect and they will respect themselves as well as others.
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