The Good and the Bad...

As of today, January 6th, 2010, the National Basketball Association has indefinitely suspended swing guard Gilbert Arenas, of the Washington Wizards for not only possessing firearms in the locker room, but brandishing them as well (though they were unloaded). Recently, I was also reminded of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West being arrested for carrying concealed weapons in Maryland. With this information, I came to (something of) an epiphany: The tales we tell ourselves about sports are just that - tales. The trials and tribulations (and stupidity) of Gilbert Arenas and Delonte West, the life (before the death) of Chris Henry, the shooting of, well, himself, in the case of Plaxico Burress, and countless other examples of athlete after athlete behaving badly, have forced me to realize that sports are not what we say they are; what we mystify them to be.

It is often said that sports and athletic activity build character, and teach one how to be a successful team player. In reality, sports teach none of those things. If you're a team player, you were already one before you started playing sports. If you are a person of character, you were so before you ever stepped on a field. If you're a good guy (or gal), you were already one before you ever kicked a ball, slapped a puck, or swung a bat. Conversely, if you're an idiot or (ahem-language alert) an asshole, there's no amount of sport that will change that. Something may change that, but sports are not it.

Don't get me wrong, sports are great. I love sports. Basketball is my favorite (especially college) and Tennis is close behind. But I realize now what sports really are; they are what druggies would call intensifiers. Sports take the person you already are, and intensify that. If you're already a selfish egoist, sports turn you into an endzone dancing, ball-hogging, trash talker. If you're already a team player, sports make you the guy everyone depends on in tight moments, a confidant in the locker room, and the guy everyone lauds when his career is done.

Where is Allen Iverson's character? As great a player as he is, he can't win the big one. Why? Because he's not good enough? No, because he's not a team player. And sports didn't make him into one. Where is Charles Barkley's character? Spitting on fans, driving drunk, etc., etc. Sure that fan had it coming. But that's what security is for. DUI? No excuse. For anyone. Even Charles Barkley. Arenas and West? Is it really necessary for a multi-millionaire to carry firearms? If you're so afraid for your life because of your wealth, how about these for ideas:

1. Stop going places where you know conflict can arise.
2. Stop flashing your wealth.
And if you just can't do those two very simple things (for whatever reason), then,
3. Use your brain - use that wealth to hire personal security.

I recently heard someone say that athletes get a bum rap but rappers do this stuff too. The difference is, no one says "Rap builds character". No one expects rappers to be role models. We know they will be (unfortunately), but no one looks to them for that. Athletes are held to a higher standard, and with good reason. These men (and women) show the utmost in discipline in the conditioning of their bodies and the honing of their skills. That is something to look up to. Athletes may not want to be role models, and maybe we shouldn't make them be so, but because the mythology of what they ultimately pursue is intrinsically noble - a better self - they have to accept that role. But we have to remember that some of them, indeed many, are not pursuing a better self - just a better body and a better contract. And so, we should stop deluding our children with tales of sports making you a better person. Again, that is mythology.

Sports do not build character, they reveal it. Sports do not make you a team player. Your parents, and ultimately you, yourself, do.

Read More Here:
http://istadia.com/blog/DanPeterson/402