Long ago I once had a friend who hated sports. He thought it was just the stupidest thing in the whole world for someone to chase after a ball, hit a ball, kick a ball, throw a ball or do any other thing with a ball. It held no interest to him. I also think he saw it as a waste of time. It was not utilitarian, not for a redemptive purpose of some sort. It was frivolous. He took pride in his dislike for sports. I think he saw it as an intellectual badge of honor.
I saw it as elitist and ignorant. Now, I know many will say I shouldn’t say that. That he has a right to not like sports just as I have a right to like them. And that would be true. But I am not arguing with his dislike of sports. I am arguing with his denigration and dismissal of the sport itself, those who play the sport and those who watch it as having no value.
I don’t watch sports a lot, but when I do I find great value in many aspects of it. Great examples of character being revealed, for good or bad. Beautiful displays of physical agility, intense and amazing split-second strategic decision making, and fantastic coordination of individuals into one cohesive team among other things.
If we want humans to only be utilitarian, to be only focused on redeeming their time, money, work, effort for a specific puritan purpose, then many other activities will seem worthless to do or pay attention to, maybe even dangerous. If sports is included in this list, then we should also include:
- Hobbies
- Art
- Dancing
- Music
- Play
- Movies / TV
- Books (especially novels)
- Decorating and landscaping
- Celebrations such as birthdays and anniversaries
You don’t have to like sports. But denigrating them and those who participate them doesn’t make you a better person, it makes you a lesser one.
Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman
“Sports do not build character, they reveal it.” – John Wooden, 1910 – 2010, UCLA Basketball coach. Read about him and his UCLA teams at his wiki bio. You will be astonished at the depth and width of his character and ability.
>One thing I remember hearing long ago that rang true was an explanation of the difference between men and women. Women talk to bond, men do to bond. Obviously, we aren't talking about all women and men fitting into this, but I do know that for me, going out and doing something with someone, athletic, games, or something like gardening, hiking, museum going, makes me feel closer to that person. We have done this thing together and it's revealed us to each other in that intangible way.
I also feel that that there is actually talking going on in those events and activities, it's just not put out the same way as it is when you are sitting and talking. Both have value, and I like both. But they are different and lead to different ways of understanding.
>My favorite favorite way to get to know someone is through playing a board game or cards with them, preferably backgammon. This interaction, similar to the interaction that takes place during sports, cuts down the awkward small talk, and gives people tangible things to talk about, without the utilitarian pressure of "getting things done" or "doing it the right way". There is a whole lot of value in incorporating these tangible, somewhat simple, things into any relationship. When we utilize our bodies and minds in this way, we can express so much more of ourselves and relay so much more information that we can when merely conversing in a relative vacuum. It is what I have always said about the music I write: "If I could say it in plain english, I would". Movement, music, art, cooking, sports, games, etc are all important ways of communicating who we are and where we come from!
>Jackie, yes you are right. Not all parts of our character existed from the beginning. Experiences, athletic or otherwise, do build character.
I know what you mean about the preference Silicon Valley has for the intellectual, it was obvious when I lived there as well. The opposite seems to be true here where I live. The intellectual is not exalted (just look at the idiotic things our legislature spends it's time voting on) but the athletic is. I wish it was more balanced here as well.
>That's a great quote Marty!
>I don't have such negative feelings towards sports. I do, however, find myself feeling superior to people who sit on a sofa for three hours watching other people play with a ball. Playing sports is something I can understand. Watching them, especially professional sports on television, puzzles me.
>One of my favorite subjects!
I know your titles are usually tongue-in-cheek and to make a specific point, so I won't dwell too long on the fact that I think sports also develop character.
I live in an area where academic achievement often seems to be valued above all else and even sometimes at the expense of others skills.
Sports teaches you how to work hard to get the win, how to play well with others, how to win humbly, and how to lose with dignity.
I consider myself fairly successful at my high-tech job and in life in general, but I know that I would not be the person I am if it weren't for the consistency of sports throughout my life, including competitive soccer through high school (one of the best sports EVER with a great coach and teammates), cycling, marathon running and (currently) martial arts.
Academics and the arts are important to the creation of a well-rounded person, but sports build character and I think almost everyone could benefit by making some sport a regular part of life!