In this week's class we were posed with the question of whether or not sports build character? This is a tough question because on one hand, as a child, sports teach kids a lot about character and integrity. Then on the other hand, you read stories about professional athletes making wrong choices all the time, such as steroid use, gambling, or choices that make them a bad role model. Therefore sports could help to build up a good image and outlook for yourself or it could have a negative effect on your character.
Having character is about having qualities that make you who you are and define your moral and ethical standings in my opinion. Sports play a large role in building these qualities. As a child, you grow up on sports teams, learning the rules and what is right and wrong. You are taught about how to play fair and be a good sport. You learn about teamwork, pride, mental and physical strength, and determination. One of the most important lessons you can gain from sport is discipline. If you really want something, you have to be willing to work at it and practice hard. You're going to have to give up some things you want to do to make time for practice and truly dedicate yourself. This type of discipline can apply to your everyday life because if you want to be successful at something you're really going to have to work at it and commit to it. It builds good character to participate in something that is bigger than you and ultimately you better yourself because of it.
On the other hand, we see so many examples of pro athletes that character has been questioned because of things they have done. So even though sports give you the opportunity to build your character, it also allows for the public's opinion of you to become questionable. Every time an athlete make a bad decision or a mistake, it reflects badly on their character and they lose a little respect from their fans.
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You brought up compelling arguments on both sides of this issue. I believe it is possible for sport to build character, as well as to be a site where character issues arise. I do believe that discipline is one of the best qualities that can be nurtured through sport. So why is it that some of the greatest athletes in the world, who display great discipline, still end up making bad decisions that reflect lack of integrity? I do not know, except that maybe some athletes who are self-disciplined do it for the wrong motivations. Then when they have achieved all that they can, they feel as if it earns them a pass to do something stupid (Michael Phelps comes to mind).
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