Why are football, baseball, basketball and even soccer beloved here in America? Why do parents put their kids in youth leagues? And no, it's not just because youth league is the best way to run down their energy. Sports can teach young kids lessons and how to work as a team. But, what is the true need of sports not just in America, but around the world.
Sports are entertainment when it comes to the college and professional levels. Yes, even the college level is entertainment. People around campus may know the big name on the basketball team or on the football team. Their likeness is used all the time whether that be for promotions or to sell items. I will stop on that note, that is another topic best saved for later.
Back to the need of sports in our country. The need extends all the way from the kids to the parents to the coaches and even to a city.
It starts with the kids because this gives them an opportunity to burn off some energy and have fun. Kids should play sports for the fun of them at a young age. These shows we have seen in the past like Friday Night Tykes do nothing but put pressure on little kids. If you have not seen this show then consider yourself lucky. It is about little kids playing football, but all the pressure the coaches and parents put on them is disturbing. This is where the true need of sports is no longer alive. It has been turned from a playful activity into a money-making drama reality TV show. This does not only extend to television. Many youth leagues have put competition above anything, even above the kids having real fun.
Now, don't get me wrong, I think competition is good for youth sports. It just has to be regulated properly. Moving from the realm of kids, let's look at how parents are need of sports.
One reason is that it can help cut your kid's energy down or it may not depending on the kid. Another reason is that a parent may want their son or daughter to pick up a particular sport like football or basketball. It is important to remember that a kid shouldn't always be forced into something. But, forcing a kid to play a sport might be the best thing to ever happen to them. Seeing your kid out there doing a good job is also a time for the parent to just relax and enjoy watching their kid play.
From the parents to the coaches, sports have found another purpose. The main reason is that everyone needs a job in something. Coaches get paid even at the low levels of sports, but people like Coach K of Duke or Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors obviously don't want to stop coaching with their current salaries. Coaches are able to help the next wave of athletes understand their respective sport better. And no matter what anyone says, there couldn't have been a legendary player without a good coach to teach them the basics.
Cities are in desperate need of sports for obvious reasons: money, money and more money. Cities like Boston, Atlanta, New York and all of Texas benefit heavily from various sport teams and the revenues brought in. If you don't believe that cities are in need of sports just look at the Olympics. Cities literally bid for the chance to host the games. They understand that if the Olympics come to town, then a lot of businesses will benefit.
The need of sports has been laid out and these are not the only benefits. There is so much more I could say about what sports do, but that list would be much too long. Sports help to get kids out of trouble as well. Instead of being on the streets, they are in the gym or on the field. Sports can help mend a nation's wounds. It does more for people than just give someone bragging rights. Some lives are completely engulfed in sports. So, the next time someone tells you that sports don't do anything for them. Just remind them that sports go beyond the court or field. It impacts the lives of many.
