|
In the past few weeks, we've heard a great deal about sportsmanship in the face of victory...and defeat. We witnessed LeBron James, arguably one of the best basketball players of his time, exit the court without congratulating his opponents after the Orlando Magic beat James' Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of a hard-fought, close playoff series. When asked about his quick departure, James responded, "If somebody beats you up, you're not going to congratulate them. That doesn't make sense to me."
At the end of this year's NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, members of the Detroit Red Wings waited to shake the hand of the Pittsburgh Penguins captain, Sidney Crosby, who found himself trapped between celebrating with his teammates, hoisting the Cup, answering television interview questions and honoring his opponents in the NHL tradition of handshake lineups. Red Wings player Kris Draper was quoted as saying, "Nick [Lidstrom] was waiting and waiting, and Crosby didn't come over to shake his hand. That's ridiculous, especially as their captain."
The idea of honoring the game by honoring your opponent is a central principle in Responsible Sports. And it's a principle that, despite the recent examples, is celebrated and honored by athletes around the world at all levels of sports. So this month we ask: Does your youth sports team honor opponents? Do you celebrate competition with time-honored traditions or newly created special moments?
|
|
|
