Silver Linings Playbook. If you haven't watched it you need to, immediately. It’s a story about two people who are trying to cope with their mental issues. I don’t want to go into detail in case you haven’t seen it but, a big part of the story is the Philadelphia Eagles Football team. At one point in the movie the main character actually goes to a game. This is where I realize that any person from any walk of life can give up their grievances for the love of the game/team. They may be enemies during the week but on Sunday they all come together for a common goal. That goal is to get a win for the Eagles. Whatever is best for the team they do it. Even if it’s as superstitious as holding an Eagles handkerchief in their left had at all times. If it helps the team win we all buy in.
Losing to win. Last night, ESPN ran a story on the Carroll Academy girls’ basketball team. They have lost 213 games straight. What makes this story unique aren’t their losses, it’s what they have gained from those losses. The girls in this program come from difficult backgrounds. Most of them were born into homes with drug and alcohol abuse, or no electricity or running water. They basically weren’t given a chance until they became members of the Lady Jags basketball team. Their coach doesn’t preach X’s and O’s, he stresses how the adversity they are facing from these losses will help them later in life. At one point during the story they interview a player who was struggling with Bipolar disorder. While playing for the Lady Jag’s she had complete control over her disorder because she knew if she didn’t it could have her removed from the team completely. She states in the interview that this was the closest thing to a family that she has ever had. To me, this story was inspiring and emotional. I couldn’t imagine losing that many games but these girls are just happy to be a part of something. They’re finally getting to feel what it’s like to have a support system. What it’s like to have somewhere to go instead of going home to darkness. They honestly could care less about their record; all they care about is each other.
What I am trying to stress here is that, no matter who you are, where you come from, rich or poor, sports unites us all. We have common ground in sports. It can lift our spirits, make us forget about our problems, and share a bond with a stranger. It can hold us accountable when we don’t participate in our “superstitions”, it can bring us pure agony when our team loses. Sports allow us to form bonds we never thought possible. They can be so uplifting and inspiring. There are so many life lessons that can be learned through sports. I know I wouldn’t be who I am today without them.
All I can remember from my high school days were sports. I think I literally went to school to play sports. It was so fulfilling to be a part of a group who had my back at all times. I formed some incredible bonds with a group of girls over those years. I was in a few of their weddings. I stress to the younger generation that those relationships will last lifetime. I will never forget what sports gave to me and I will always give my all back to the sports I love. It’s a never ending cycle of emotions and feelings that I hope everyone can experience at some point in their lives.
