Ever since I was little I have been playing sports. I think my very first sport was tee ball but it didn't last long. I'm not surprised because today I personally could never picture myself playing baseball, just too slow for me. Anyways, I also tried out soccer but that wasn't really for me either. The three that stuck with me the longest were basketball, football, and track. Sports were a big part of my life for a very long time. Now that I do not compete or participate competitively in sports, I think my connection to sport and its meaning to me has changed. Sports aren't really that important to me anymore, not that I've lost interest in sports, I was just always about the playing and participating aspect so it's not as fun for me anymore. At least watching sports isn't. I'd say the role sports plays in my life is that it is now a hobby of mine. I don't play much football anymore but I spend a lot of time playing pick-up games in the rec, it's where I go to take my mind off things. I think sport has both positive and negative roles in US society. A positive would be that it creates a since of community. As Eitzen states, "For fans identifying with a team or sports hero bonds them with others who share their allegiance; they belong and they have an identity" (4). While this is true, Eitzen also points out that there is a "dark side" to sports and that fans and society reinforce because of the value society places on sports and athletes. According to Eitzen, "American sport embodies American values-striving for excellence, winning, individualism and team competition, and materialism" (4). I think sports might be a little bit too important. I know that athletes put themselves through so much and work so hard to get where they are in sports but some take sports too seriously. Just look at this article for instance.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/10129112/three-people-stabbed-sports-authority-stadium-parking-lot-broncos-chargers-game
Athletes are very highly valued in society. They are role models to millions of young children, around the world, who play sports. I think this is easy to see when their faces are on billboards, TV commercials, magazine covers, and almost anywhere you look. Some, not all, are respected for what they do to give back to their communities or what they have done for the team they play for. Some may be disrespected for their actions on and off the field. For example, Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks. His post game antics in their win over the 49ers have gotten a lot of people upset and I'm sure many have lost respect for him.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkTq__jd4I4
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