Where to Turn

On April 8, 2012, a guy by the name of Bubba won the Master’s golf tournament at the famed Augusta National and it wasn’t Forrest Gump’s best friend from Alabama. He wore all white throughout the tournament to raise awareness for kids with disabilities. His newly adopted one-month old son Caleb and wife Angie watched from home as he two-putted the second playoff hole to win the green jacket. And, Bubba is the longest hitter on the tour, using a pink-shafted driver, to raise money for local charities in Phoenix. Do you get it? The game of golf for Bubba is bigger than any one hole or tournament. He is playing to make a difference in the lives of others. That’s why his 140-yard wedge shot out of the pine needles that took a hard left and ended up coming to rest just 10 feet from the cup on the final playoff hole is a really big deal not just so you as a sports fan can feel good on a Sunday afternoon, but for his family, the kids he tries to help, and the charities he supports.

See, sports fans tuned in across the world on Sunday, but what they hoped to witness didn’t happen. We wanted to get excited for a guy by the name of Tiger at the top of the leaderboard. We wanted to behold Tiger Woods distancing himself from the field as he pursues Jack Nicklaus’ record of winning 18 major titles. Despite Tiger’s infidelity and transgressions just over two years ago, we root for Tiger and forget the past, hoping he returns to greatness.

Over the past decade, we anticipate – even expect – steroid use, adultery, and cheating. These lapses in judgment are commonplace. Our memories are short and our willingness to forgive is almost guaranteed. That is if, of course, the athlete returns to greatness. As time passes, we forget what happened. We don’t even care what happened. We want results and great performances now. It’s all about turning on ESPN and seeing our plagued stars make it back. The sports fan now observes the immoral athlete as an underdog and a role model trying to find his way. We always cheer for the underdogs. We like the comeback story. By so doing, we as fans pardon their behavior, only wanting to hope and cheer for the next victory, trying to avoid the realization that the character and integrity of college and professional sports’ athletes is diminishing and no one seeks to reverse the trend because of the dollar signs and the excitement sports generate.

I crave to know where I can find the good that takes place within the sports world. Is there another story like Bubba’s, or a player like Tim Tebow? These athletes should be the roles models. I think about playing catch with my father. I remember my coach challenging me to close the gap on my potential. I recall trying to lead others to a common goal. Posters from the magazine, Sports Illustrated for Kids, adorned my bedroom walls. I looked at the pictures of these athletes each night, wanting to be them. Without sports and role models at a young age, we fail to learn some of life’s most important lessons. Yet, with the low-grade character and poor decision-making of current college and professional athletes and coaches, who are we supposed to follow? Do we forgive the wrongdoing? Do we keep our kids or even ourselves from watching Tiger or Kobe because of their tainted past? Athletics is a bridge to opportunity. Sports fans and young athletes place their hope in that fact. But, I’m unsure who to cheer for or even tell my kids, “That’s who you should aspire to act like.” We learn and can make examples of both Bubba and Tiger. Do we then assume Bubba will come to a crash and burn? Are we just waiting for Tim Tebow to slip? If he does, we can hate him for it. We can be ruthless. Then, we immediately forgive his wrongdoing, and praise his leadership and performance as he leads the New York Jets to a Super Bowl victory. That hasn’t happened yet, but to say that these athletes don’t have the responsibility of being role models is about as ridiculous as believing the St. Louis Rams will be playing the Jets in that game. Really, if we are so quick to excuse the behavior of these athletes, do we treat our alcoholic co-workers the same when they aren’t putting up 24 points a game, shooting 68 on Sunday, or making your fantasy team victorious? My only advice, choose your role model carefully. Better yet, be the role model. We need to be the athletes, coaches, and fans making the right decisions on and off the field. Acting with integrity, taking responsibility for our actions, and realizing that everything has consequences is important for all of us. Don’t let the bad decisions of a few selfish and irresponsible athletes dictate how you feel about sports and its ability to be exciting and full of life’s lessons.