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POINT OF VIEW by Ira Fleckman |
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Presented on the Floridakids.net
POINT OF VIEW from someone who can't stand athletes being
booed
by Ira Fleckman
THE MAN IN THE ARENA
"It is not the critic who counts:
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of
deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in
the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives
valiantly; who errs, and comes up short again and again, because there is no
effort without error and shortcomings… who knows great enthusiasms, the great
devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end
triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while
daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls
who know neither victory nor defeat."
The quote above came from a speech by Theodore Roosevelt, a man devoted to the
strenuous life, to fair play and good sportsmanship. It speaks out against
critics generally but more importantly speaks to those with the courage to dare.
The quote makes it clear that those who dare to achieve are destined for many
failures. While it is a cliché to state that victory amounts to getting up one
more time than one goes down, this quote states that trying and failing is
better than not making the effort.
How can spectators sitting in the stands voice their displeasure with the honest
efforts of a competitor involved in an amateur athletic contest? Why do so many
individuals voice their critical evaluations of fellow participants in the
public forum? Who is so without fault that they feel entitled to denigrate the
efforts of their fellow athlete?
An athlete who cheats, is over zealous or seems ill prepared for his contest,
should be corrected by the official or coach. If one wishes to help a fellow
athlete, constructive criticisms, evaluations or encouraging advice is best
appreciated in a private communication. Certainly when an experienced or
superior official, coach or fellow athlete takes the time to help a floundering
athlete this effort should be taken in good graces. Others, especially those who
are not participants or who haven't developed their own skills and abilities,
yet loudly and publicly are critical of those who dare should be asked to
restrain themselves.
Rereading the quote must lead one to the understanding that those who enter the
arena and make the effort are worthy of praise. It costs one nothing to sit in
the spectator's stands and view those who battle. Those who compete have
trained, sacrificed time and energy and deserve to fail with dignity. Certainly
it is true that some athletes do not deal well with victory or defeat. It is the
case that a few competitors need to learn etiquette, protocol and humility
besides athletic techniques. Nevertheless, there are mentors, coaches and
officials who enforce rules and instruct in these areas. It would be nice to see
that those who are spectators and those who are fellow athletes are more
tolerant of those who actually enter the arena and compete. This call for
tolerance isn't meant to excuse bad behavior or poor sportsmanship. There are
coaches, officials and teammates who can demand corrections of poor behavior.
The rest of the public should either get on the battlefield or temper their
public statements.
Praise is due the person in the arena daring to do.
Posted on 7/30 7:12 AM | IP: Logged
by Ira Fleckman
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