Column:
Sports through the eyes of a 10-year-old sister
Columnist's younger sister wise beyond her years.
Published Feb. 26, 2009
The most important values in life often involve some of the simplest concepts. Be nice to others. Eat your vegetables. Remember to put the toilet seat down. Sports should be no different.
The ABC's of athletics became jumbled this past week. The Alex Rodriguez steroid debacle grew and continues to grow. Texas Tech basketball coach Pat Knight was reprimanded for the second time in as many weeks for inappropriate treatment of officials. Jeremy Maclin fans wondered if his 4.37 40-yard-dash would place him in the top 10. And the struggling economy continues to impact attendance at events. Where did the purity and joy of sport disappear to?
For answers, I turned to my expert in the field of getting to the bottom of important issues: my 10-year-old sister.
Elizabeth's idea of a fun afternoon involves four hours of watching "Jon and Kate Plus 8" reruns followed by a way-too-big ice cream sundae. Yet she was able to express her views on what makes sports important better than any ESPN analyst on television.
I asked her about everything, from winning to steroids to sportsmanship. I planned on creating a flowing story about her views, but realized more can be learned if I didn't clog her bright ideas with more words. My sister is only 10 and might be naïve, yet definitely has insight the majority of athletes, fans, parents and coaches of today lack. She says all that needs to be said.
On the purpose of sports: "To get exercise, have fun and be competitive."
On steroids and cheating: "I think they are just hurting themselves. I feel so bad for them, because they feel so poorly they have to cheat." She mentioned nothing of feeling cheated out of fair competition, money for tickets or illustrious records being unfairly broken. Interesting.
On the importance of winning: "Me and my friends just want to play our best and have fun." (She did not want me to print her enjoyment of team snacks following every sporting event out of fear of sounding childish. To that I say being childish is underrated.)
On coaches yelling until their veins pop: "I feel bad for the players because if they're doing their best and being yelled at it doesn't make them want to try hard." Novel concept.
On losing: "I feel good because I finished a sport or game but bad because I didn't do it well. I'm over it by the time I take a shower." It's good to hear she started showering after doing athletic activity. Kidding. Sort of.
On Missouri sports: "I know the basketball team just beat Colorado. They only beat Kansas once this year but have only played them once so that's pretty good." I told you she was smart.
Advice for Missouri sports: "I think you should get a real tiger mascot. And all the sheets and pillowcases in everybody's rooms should be custom-made with Missouri colors."
When I asked Elizabeth what her favorite sports moment was, she told me about the first time she was able to get a serve in during a tennis lesson. Her voice rang with personal pride and accomplishment. She received no glory for the event, no trophy to commemorate the day. There was no bonus check (unless my grandpa slid her one under the table) and no corporate sponsors. Life is so much simpler for 10-year-old kids.
They understand the world so much better than most of us.