The Power of Sport
Sport does a lot of things, regardless of what it’s doing or where it is, someone is watching, someone is talking about it. We're aware, we're interested, we're actively involved, we're obsessed and we discuss. What does this mean? What power does this hold? Nelson Mandela summed it up pretty damn well when he said, ''Sport has the power to change the world, it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way little else does. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.''
Over the course of the last century sport has shown its power time and time again to unite the masses and go deeper than forth down conversion or field goal percentage. When Branch Richey signed Jackie Robinson, when Tommie Smith and John Carlos saluted, when South Africa won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, when Nicky Winmar pulled up his jumper, and when any other athlete or sportsperson over time has made a stand for what they believe in; we've listened. Some athletes make the most of their influential positions and with them, sport consistently proves itself to be a platform for the discussion of various social issues and helps break down barriers which the rest of the world just isn't ready to handle.
This month we found some new heroes in Michael Sam and Jason Collins. Amongst a plethora of issues facing today's society, the acceptance of homosexuality is one such issue that has struggled to be accepted in mainstream sport, or should I say; elite male sport. Yet sport has again been the platform for conversation and through what may seem like a few small well over-due steps, it feels again like some great strides have been made this time within sport itself.
Michael Sam isn't a house-hold name (yet), but he is poised to become the first openly gay player in NFL history. The 24 year old defensive end from Missouri is likely to be picked up when the NFL Draft rolls around between May 8-11 and there is no doubt, whether he is selected or not; there will be conversation. The NFL has stated 'Michael is a footballer' and that he will be welcomed, just as any other player would be. Unfortunately, some people will continue to make ridiculous arguments and suggest a gay footballer has no place in the locker-room. As narrow minded and backward as these comments are, the opportunity for other people within sport to make a stand is phenomenal. This is where we will see the true power of sport. Regardless of whether it's a well known NFL star or a supporter of Sam's team, people will support him; slowly but surely opinions and preconceptions will be changed. It's not rare to hear athletes come out well after their careers are over, but the courage and faith of Michael Sam to share this with the world before his career evens starts is amazing.
While Sam's career may not have even started, this past month we also saw an athlete who's at the other end of their professional career do great things in his field. On February 23rd basketballer Jason Collins came out of retirement and was signed to the Brooklyn Nets on a ten day contract. His signing sparked a
By Scott Nicholas