I am a consumer of sports, both in person and virtual. It is something I enjoy and something that allows me to connect with other people. I am sure that this is true for many people, especially here at Northwestern. We have a high number of student athletes as well as those involved with sports in the form of student assistants, statistic takers, photographers and pep band members. However, I’ve recently wondered how well we exude the love of Christ in the way that we consume sports.
Many people are passionate about their teams. They get excited for team triumphs, and they feel hurt by losses. They get attached to players and coaches. They buy in to long-standing and new traditions. This is not where I see a problem. If people choose to partake in sports, then more power to them. It is entertainment after all; we should be able to have a good time. My critique is the way that we talk about players and the way that people are talked of as a commodity.
After attending several different live sporting events this school year, and watching plenty of football and basketball games, I have noticed that people consistently cut down and heckle those who are playing the sports. Let it be known that I am fine with heckling, and even think it is an essential part of sports. However, many do not heckle a person’s ability to play the sport, rather, they target personal aspects of a player’s life. This can include targeting family, personal beliefs or overall derogatory and belittling language.
It is within this that I start to find an issue, but I must admit that I see this problem within myself as well. When we begin to personally attack players we have lost not only the point of sports, but we have failed to reflect the love of Christ.
1 John 4: 7-8 reads, “Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (Christian Standard Bible). How do we love someone if we consistently cut them down without even knowing them. It concerns me that not only is this a problem when watching sports on TV but also in person.
I can understand the disconnect between seeing a person’s humanity on a screen, but in person it becomes much easier to recognize the person in front of you. As soon as you think about the things that you have said, you recognize that another person, who has their own life, beliefs and feelings, is right in front of you. This is not something that we do daily. It would be concerning if it was. You would never walk down a grocery store aisle and tell someone they suck or that their mom is disappointed in them, so why would you say it to someone playing a sport that they love and have put time and effort into.
I understand that it sounds like I am trying to police language, and I want it to be known that I am not trying to do that. In fact, my goal is to bring to light the harmful and degrading way that we consume sports and talk about athletes. In order to fully reflect the love of Christ, we must view people in their full humanity, as a fellow creation of God.
