Over the last decade or so, there has been one recurring story sweeping the sports world. Doping. The taking of illegal, performance-enhancing substances, to give a person "the edge." This is a problem that has (in my opinion) set forth the decline of the world of sports in the long run.
I just recently saw a news article about a whole Olympics Relay team that had their medals stripped due to doping. Just recently before that Tom Brady got suspended for 5 games of the next NFL season (and fined) for the "deflategate" (as it is being dubbed).
Sports celebrities that people wanted to emulate and look up to, were testifying before a congressional hearing back in 2005. The greats of baseball at the time, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Jose Conseco, Rafael Palmeiro, etc testified and denied use of steroids. All 4 tested positive and/or admitted to using it.
Steroid use is now ingrained in essentially every sport. People are just so determined to win, they will destroy themselves for that. This as also spread into female sports as well.
What these people forgot is the fun. Sports were always meant to be fun. A bunch of athletes getting together and playing a sport for sport. People didn't need to cheat, because it was about just having fun and having a good time. Now, sports celebrities are overpaid and jaded. Sports celebrities have completely forgotten the purpose of playing a sport. It isn't the endorsements. It isn't the big vehicles and the agents. It isn't for the money, it isn't for the show. Playing sports is supposed to be about having fun.
Now, we have people who would cheat to win. Losing isn't an option. Honestly, if people were just playing for fun, win or lose, they are still happy. Maybe, slightly disappointed at the loss, but happy just to have gotten to play a sport they loved playing.
We as fans, used to watch athletes compete and have fun. We enjoyed the sport because they enjoyed the sport.
Now, honestly, with the doping, etc, sports have not become about fun. Sports are no longer about the sport. Sports just aren't fun any more. And when a sports start is caught doping, what happens? They get suspended from playing the game, and fined. Honestly, a drop in the hat. It is a slap in the wrist.
And at the current trend, people will become disgusted by sports in general. People will recognize that professional athletics is not a good thing. People will recognize that something needs to be done.
Well, I have an idea.
Sports leagues should disband. Professional sports should come to an end.
Just think about it. Professional sports comes to an end. People no longer will try to do anything and everything possible to win. People will not cut corners to try to achieve fame in sports. Those who do not enjoy the sport will be fished out. They will quit the sport completely, phasing out those who are just in it for the money. The people who play the sports for the money and the fame, they are the ones who are willing to cheat to get to the top. The people who are truly passionate about the game and care about having fun along the way, are the ones who will rebuild professional sports in a new image. Less people will dope just because there isn't the pressure to perform. People will play for the fun of the game again. That is what we need. We need people who will play for the fun of the game, and not for the fame that comes with it.
No comments:
Post a Comment