I attend live sporting events on a regular basis, and I love to take my children with me. Recently I heard things that made me cringe at a college basketball game. I have come to the conclusion that live sports have lost their family values.
Childhood Memories
I grew up in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where I would go to high school, college, and professional sporting events with my dad. We enjoyed football games at Riverdale High, cheering on the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, football and basketball games at MTSU, rooting for the brand-new Nashville Predators, and catching the Green Bay Packers anytime they came to play the Titans. These events and others bring back great memories from my childhood and teen years. Sure, some fans got a little crass as their drinks added up, but as far as the fanbase as a whole, the worst thing I heard was, “ref, you suck!”
Current Day
Now you don’t even have to be at the game to hear the vulgar chants from the crowds. College basketball games, the NBA, and every level of football have normalized language inappropriate for children. College student sections chanting “bull #*!@” fan bases chanting “F-you” to players on the court, to other horrible things, threats, slurs, and more. It is hard to make positive memories with my kids when I’m trying to guard their ears (and eyes) every couple of minutes.
Should Anyone Care?
Sports have bonded father and child for decades, but just like the political scene, sports have become vile. Athletes have lost their sense of responsibility, and fans have followed suit. The gameday experience has little to do with sports and everything to do with alcohol and 10 seconds of fame. With the goal of going viral, fans try to elicit a response from the athletes, and the best way to do that is to get personal and nasty. What the sports “society” is failing to realize is we are destroying the opportunities for the next generation to enjoy what my generation enjoyed as a kid. Should anyone care that live sports have lost their family values? Yes, because it is ultimately killing the future of sports.
What Is the Solution?
My Belly Up Sports family will disagree with me on this, but the first part of the solution is to limit alcohol consumption. A new video of fans brawling in the stands is coming out almost every day. Beer is involved 100% of the time. The more alcohol that is consumed, the more out of control the crowd gets. The second part is personal responsibility. Each fan needs to be aware of the children around them. They understand there is a time and place for their actions. The third part is for the athletes, coaches, and teams/schools. It is up to them to create an atmosphere a parent can bring their children to.
My dad and I still talk sports and share our memories every week on The Sports Stove Podcast, and every episode is family-friendly. Follow me on Twitter where I post my sports thoughts daily.
