Sport, Society, and Me

My connection to a sport is everything. Whether you are participating or just watching, the connection is everything. Sometimes I feel more of a connection even just watching a sport than I do actually playing it. When I watch my favorite team play football, I am in the zone with the tv for three hours because I am so invested (and because I am obsessed with my team). I think a connection has to be understanding the sport and the sacrifices and ability it takes to do it. Sports were everything to me growing up, I started at such a young age because I used to watch my older brother play so I wanted to follow in his footsteps. Once you find "your sport" I believe a connection is created because it seems like it is something you were meant to do and you found your niche. I had no idea I was going to be a swimmer until my mother threw me in our pool and I started to swim laps for the first time.

I think sports are a positive role in society. They get children out of trouble and have them striving for goals and working towards something. It also produces role models for people and gives people someone to look up to instead of a singer or pop star. US sports teach us that anyone can be successful in a sport and can overcome adversity and oppression. You can come from any walk of life and become successful. The most successful athletes come from the most least likely place. Most athletes are valued, but others are scrutinized because of little things they do. They are all placed on a pedestal and expected to act a certain way. They are mostly respected, unless they do one thing wrong, then it goes completely out the window. Every time you turn on the TV, there is another athlete doing something deviant and everyone is so shocked. Even though these things happen to regular people and they are humans.