Thoughts on Sportsmanship

SPORTSMANSHIP is an understanding of and commitment to fair play, ethical behavior and integrity, and “general goodwill toward an opponent”.

I’d like to point out specifically the game between Oregon (4-0,0-0) and Colorado (3-1, 0-0), however, I’m starting to see this trending around college football particular during high profile, nationally televised games. Oregon left their star players in the game with hopes of a shutout and run up the score on an opponent whom did not have their most important (2-way) player-Travis Hunter-available.

SPORTSMANSHIP is an affirmation that athletes & coaches are disciplined enough to have perspective, maintain poise and do what is best for their teammates, opponents & college football as a whole.

Facts:

1. Oregon 2nd stringers did not receive Reps-potentially risking loss to 1st stringers. This lack of experience/exposure may be critical mishap later on for a run at FBS college football playoffs.

2. Oregon risked injury to Heisman Trophy candidate Bo Nix-even when the game was out of reach (35-0 lead). “We’re not done yet” said Ducks head coach Dan Lanning.

3. Colorado would be defamed-in my opinion-where the situation had been reversed completely-(shoe other foot-idiom) & don’t be naive to think race & money would not be intertwined into the topic of discussion.

Being able to make appropriate behavioral choices at the “moment of truth” and in a pressure situation will often reveal the coaches & player’s “character” and their ability to be a good sport. Simply put, SPORTSMANSHIP is a choice!

Although winning is important, it is not always the most important aspect of the game. There is so much to be gained and learned from an athletic experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Good SPORTMANSHIP is one of those life lessons that should be intentionally learned, taught, practiced and reinforced (Credit Doug Parrish and Brian G. Phelps).

Knute Rockne-3 Nation Championships at Notre Dame said it best: “One man practicing SPORTSMANSHIP is far better than a hundred teaching it.”