Rules same for all, superstar or not
Today as Michael Vick is released from prison, it makes me wonder why athletes think that they are held to a different set of rules or standard then everyone else.
In the paper on a daily basis we see sports stars that are facing charges for breaking law in some way or another, drinking and driving, steroids, fighting, shootings and the list could go on. I believe as a country we encourage this behavior, at a young age athletes are pushed to be the best at all costs.
I don’t believe that we shouldn’t teach our children that winning is what playing the game is about, but so is losing. Coaches’ jobs are for the most part tied to winning. If a coach has a losing record they worry that they may lose their job, no matter how good the coach is at developing players. So, when an athlete comes along that has an exceptional talent, coaches are delighted this may be the way to ensure their job security.
These exceptional athletes are held to a different standard then the rest of the team, because they are good. The coach doesn’t want to upset them so they let them get away with a little bit more than the rest of the team and then more. Some athletes take this privilege of being treated differently as a motivator to set the example of how the team should practice, play and act on and off the court. Others take this privilege and use it as a way to beat down their teammates.
If a coach is a good coach looking out for the team’s best interest, not just winning, he will not allow this behavior to continue. If the coach cares more about winning, he will let this athlete ruin the team. This scenario isn’t just in college and professional sports it starts at the very youngest age. So as this athlete develops into a young adult, they start believing that every aspect of life should have a different set of rules for them. This leading to the problems we read about on a daily basis in the paper.
We need to take a stand as parents and let our athletes, coaches, athletic directors and administrators know that this is not acceptable behavior. We want to raise athletes to be people who are productive individuals in society, have compassion for the people and world around them. I am not saying all coaches and athletes act like this, in fact the sad thing is we don’t hear about the coach and athlete that stand out for the good they are doing. Every team is made of players who have different skill ranges, but having that makes the team work together. If you don’t have teammates for the superstar, you couldn’t play the game.
As parent I hope that we all would teach our children to respect all individuals and that we all have our place in this world. Let us not create more Michael Vicks in this world, but more John Stocktons and Tiger Woods.