Take a look around sports these days and you will find one thing on display in overabundance. Some call it confidence, some call it arrogance and others call it swagger. Whatever your term is, there is no shortage of it.
There has always been and always will be a fine line between believing in yourself and flaunting your ability. You can definitely make the argument that it is nearly impossible to succeed at anything in life if you don’t believe that you can succeed. Self-confidence has to be at the forefront of anything you hope to accomplish.
However, I believe we have reached a period in our society where the pendulum has switched over to the side of complete overconfidence and outright arrogance. Make no mistake, there has always been those larger than life figures whose mouths and actions were almost as legendary as their exploits (think Muhammad Ali). Some even believe that if you can back it up then it really isn’t bragging.
Maybe I’m a bit old-fashioned, but it bothers me when I see showboating and bravado at any level, especially when it filters down to high school and grade school. I recently covered a run of post-season basketball games and there was plenty of “look at me” moments. To me, it takes away from what the team is trying to accomplish and puts the emphasis on individuals rather than teams.
I totally understand the benefits of playing with emotion. In fact, it can be extremely difficult to compete well without any sort of positive energy. But we have now reached a point where everybody feels the need to celebrate ever single shot, every single tackle, every single play at nearly every level of sports. Just watch an NFL game. After nearly every play somebody is making a gesture on offense or defense, drawing attention to himself in every situation, even if it is the middle of the opening quarter of a regular season game.
Is it any wonder why today’s teens act the way they do? Most of them are merely emulating their professional sports heroes. Whatever happened to the guy who makes a routine play and acts like he was doing the job he was getting paid to do?
Personally, it bothers me when athletes make it all about themselves, when I see athletes literally strut onto the court during pre-game lineups, or even worse taunt opposing players and fans. Events can still be fun without people drawing attention to themselves by pounding their chests, pointing to the crowd or doing a variety of actions like blowing smoke rings after making a three-point basket.
I have no problem with sports providing an opportunity for release of joy and happiness. That’s part of the beauty of the game (we’ve all witnessed the sterile environment of empty auditoriums because of COVID). I truly think extraordinary feats should be recognized with unbridled enthusiasm. It’s just that when we exhibit those emotions after a routine play, what do we do when something truly remarkable happens?
There is no question that handling the highs and lows of sports can be a difficult thing for teenage athletes. That’s where mentors (coaches, parents, community members) can help provide advice on personal conduct. There are many life lessons to be learned through competition. Let’s all hope that the lesson on humility tops that list.