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The Great Sport Myth
The Great Sports Myth is the belief that" Sports is inherently pure and good. Purity
and goodness are transferred to anyone who plays, consumes or sponsors it” (Coakley,
2013, p.11). The Great Sports Myth is compelling especially when someone in your family
is struggling with character development. It’s only natural to want the best for our children
in both their personal growth and academic achievements. My parents have been strong
proponents of the Great Sports Myth, to the extent that, during high school, they
encouraged me to join JROTC in order to develop values and facilitate a smooth transition
into young adulthood.
The myth presents a challenge to sports management by promoting an overly
idealized view of sport’s impacts on society and individuals. Professionals should critically
evaluate the myth to ensure that the sports truly deliver positive outcomes, not by theory
but by structured practice. Since 2012, I developed a genuine interest in football, and it
became a tradition in our family to host cookouts every Sunday while watching the Dallas
Cowboys play. It is interesting to see players like Dak Prescott who was honored with the
Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2022 and used his platform to raise awareness and
give back to his community. However, it is equally disheartening when athletes make
headlines for negative reasons, such as incidents involving violence, substance abuse, or
making bad decisions. There is a persistent stigma that professional athletes, due to their
fame and talent, are somehow above the average person and should automatically be
viewed as role models. However, excellence on the field does not exempt athletes from
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making poor decisions or experiencing personal struggles. At the end of the day, they are
human beings, much like anyone working a regular 9-to-5 job, navigating the same
complexities of life, choices, and consequences. "Every athlete exercises self-control in all
things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable” (1 Corinthians
9:25). It highlights the self-control exercised by athletes in their training, pointing out that
while they strive for a perishable crown, believers are called to aim for an imperishable
one. One important way to support athletes is through the provision of psychological care.
Recognizing the mental and emotional challenges athletes often face, sports management
professionals frequently offer direct support or facilitate access to licensed sports
psychologists. This assistance helps athletes manage pressure, navigate public
expectations, and cope with the emotional demands associated with both success and
setbacks. “The coach’s job is to ensure that an athlete is receiving proper treatment, using
high-quality medical teams and therapists” (Sainz, 2023). The validity of the Great Sports
Myth ultimately depends on the athlete’s personal responsibility in shaping their character
and achieving positive outcomes.
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References
Coakley, J. (2013). Sports in society: Issues and Controversies.
Sainz, M. (2024, August 6). The importance of prioritizing athlete mental health. American
Public University. https://www.apu.apus.edu/area-of-study/nursing-and-health-
sciences/resources/the-importance-of-prioritizing-athlete-mental-health/
