The Concrete Sage: Who's Yo Daddy? A Picture of Contemporary Sports Heroes

So, I was engaged in conversation not long ago with an acquaintance; another 30-something dad with small children. In a rather uncircuitous manner, as males are wont to do, the conversation eventually turned to what sports we dreamed our children would play. He suggested that his son would undoubtedly be not only the New York Giant's biggest fan, but in approximately 12.5 years, be the starting linebacker. Or starting pitcher for the Yankees, or power forward for the Knicks. But one of the big three, for sure! Hell, he's being bred for it right now. He's twice the weight and height of any kid in his class!

Great. I like football too. And basketball. And baseball. Then, as it became my turn to reply in the same, I let out the truth of my personal feelings on the matter; apparently the wrong truth. I told him I wanted my kids to be involved in less mainstream sports. I hope they will choose from the following: tennis (which they will be starting this fall), soccer (to learn team fundamentals), swimming (for complete body health & intensity of mind), or golf (for mental focus, mathematical analysis, and control). Skiing and cycling of course will come later...

Now before you sportsfans out there start beating me down with my un-American-ness, allow me to say this. While I do recognize that there are pros and cons to every competitive sport, hey, let's look at some of those soccer hooligans, there is a certain mentality that seems to accompany the big ticket sports that I don't necessarily subscribe to.

I don't agree with the "cultivation of cult" that seems part in parcel to some of the big 3, as I will refer to them. I don't agree with the mentality of "more pain more gain," "nice guys finish last," or invincibility of man. I disagree that "failure is not an option" and that one can act like a complete jackass because of athletic talent, real or pharmaceutical. Now, I will also concede that one of my favorite sports, cycling, has a real doping issue. But, I will also ask when the last time we saw a cyclist brandishing a firearm or holding dogfights in his basement.

The long and short of it is, I felt as if myself and my kids were already being called out as "tennis wussies" (and that is almost a direct quote) because I subscribe to different sporting philosophies. I will say this: we are all individuals with independent choices on self conduct and preservation, but what attitudes and morals are kids going to get when the "stars" of their beloved sports end up not finishing college to go early in a draft, attack their coaches, are on trial for steroids, or worse? It is, after all, up to us as parents to instill moral values and social etiquette within our children, but when the outside world (as it surely must) becomes a significant influence, where will our influence end???

And the bottom line: there surely are gentlemen (and women) in all facets of sports who play the game like it should be played. There are those who are pure of heart and mind who have nothing more than love of the game. But, also, those who truly possess a love for the spirit of competition will admire and respect any athlete of the same caliber, regardless of sporting choice. That's my bottom line. And fair to say, this gentleman did not possess this mentality, nor will his child, I am sure. So my call out to all my parent-readers out there is to give due consideration to what environment you wish to send your child into and what end result you would like to see...

Barry Bonds