In a world full of division, I love how sports can bring people together. They can still divide, of course, when rivalries and competitiveness go a little too far. For the most part, however, there aren’t many things in this life that can unify and bring more people together than sports.
I can be anywhere in the world, and someone will notice my Cubs hat or my IU shirt, and they’ll come up to me and start chatting about the team and the current season. Whether the team is good or lousy, it’s something to talk about with a common interest. It’s also something that isn’t limited by age or experience. I love chatting with the older generation of fans and hearing their stories of the legends they watched growing up. It also brings a smile to my face when I see younger fans wearing their jerseys and wearing their hearts on their sleeves with each and every game.
My favorite part of coaching over the years has always been the family-like atmosphere and unifying as a team. You can take athletes from many different backgrounds and unite as one, working towards a common goal. The losses may be hard, but they’re hard together. The wins are even sweeter, because you worked for it and did it as a team.
Whether you like watching the Olympics or not, one of the cooler aspects of the whole thing is seeing the pride that the athletes have for their countries. They’ve spent their whole lives training for these moments, so they can compete for their nation. It can get pretty emotional when someone has earned their way to the podium and their country’s anthem begins to play. For even a few short moments, the joy and unity outweighs any negativity from the world.
I still get chills thinking about the role sports played after 9-11. No game or sport will ever be the most important thing in this life, but sports can absolutely play a major role in the healing process of tragedy, or even the healing process for an individual.
As a fan of any team, it’s fun to feel like you’re part of something. I know Purdue fans had a blast this past season, and they had a whole lot to talk about and cheer for. Pacers fans had a great time as well, uniting as one and defending their team against all the naysayers in the playoffs. I’ll probably never stop thinking about the 2016 World Series and how much joy it brought to the entire fan base that had waited so long for victory. It’s hard to fully explain, but competition, teamwork, and fandom are some of life’s greatest gifts.
I run the sports ministry at New Hope Christian Church, and I love seeing what sports can do on a smaller scale as well right here in Montgomery County. We’ve got basketball, pickelball, volleyball, and whiffle ball opportunities for multiple ages. I look forward to playing ball with my men’s league basketball team each week, or coaching kids in other leagues. We see a lot of growth from the beginning of the season to the end, and memories that last a lifetime. That’s what it’s all about.
My advice: Don’t let sports overtake your life or become the most important thing. Instead, let sports be a reminder of all that is good in the world. Let competition, being part of a team, and cheering for your favorite teams bring joy and unity in a chaotic world.
Tyler Smith covers the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Hoosiers for IndySportsLegends and is a frequent contributor to the Journal Review. He is also the youth and sports pastor at New Hope Christian Church.
