A lesson on Sportsmanship

Some people believe the word "sorry" should never be said/heard during game time. These are also the ones that believe in the phrase "no pain, no gain". Which, I'm not trying to change that, yes, say sorry AFTER the game. What I'm here to talk about is that in a competitive environment where "sorry" isn't allowed... NO words should be said to the other team on the court... NONE. Trash talking should only be allowed when you're able to follow it up with "just kidding".

If you run your mouth because you're losing and you can't win unless you think your words might get into the person's head, then you have no skills on the court, only skills for the debate team.

I'm ranting about this because, I played hockey tonight for the first time in Philly, and when the other team started to lose they started taking cheap shots and just saying things that made them come across as complete jackasses. For example, tripping me, and falling that up with "stay down, b*tch".

I was startled... not by the trip, it's hockey, trips happen... but the smack talk, too? really?! I thought, maybe I mistook the tone and perhaps it was going to be followed with a "just kidding"... but no, my laugh was followed with a "yeah, keep laughing while you still have your teeth"....

Yes, this man's words got into my head. This 40-something year old man's words. FORTY!
I don't know why he plays hockey, but I play for the really great plays, the hard earned goals, the running workout, and to learn from better players. This guy plays to win. At least my way, no matter who wins, I come out feeling fulfilled. This guy, only enjoys himself if he's winning, and what will that get him? maybe a small plaque that says Philly Sport and Social Club Hockey champs Fall 2008? Something to brag about at the office... where no one cares anyways?

Here's a man that may be a completely different person off the court. Maybe he donates blood in his spare time, sends a nickel everyday to starving pygmy babies in Africa, greets everyone in the office with a genuine smile and even knows all of their names when he says "good morning, [insert name here]." He could be a real swell kinda guy off the court.

But here's the difference between him and I, I believe in sportsmanship. I believe in telling the opponent when they had an awesome move. When I shake their hand I know at least one thing to complement each player on individually, maybe it was their speed, their stick handling, their shooting, their defense, etc... and I tell them that instead of "good game, good game, good game."
And because I not only believe in sportsmanship, but also believe in SHOWING it, when I leave the court and go about real life, I might run into one of them in the city somewhere and they will say "I know her, she plays hockey, she's really nice AND she can play"

Whereas if this guy were walking down the street (could be on his way to go volunteer at the orphanage), anyone that knows him from sports will probably just say to whoever their with, "I know that guy.... he's a complete a**hole."

The moral of the story is, it doesn't matter who you are in life, who you are on the court can define who you are in life in some people's eyes... and you never know when that could come back to you.


And, oh yeah, we won. ;o)