Category: Athletes

The main reason for the athlete placing volleyball 2nd to netball is based on the equity and access of the sports. Equity and access are explored and discussed through a tool called Figueroa’s framework which consists of five levels. These five levels include individual, interpersonal, institutional, structural, and cultural. The interpersonal level within Figueroa’s framework affected the athlete’s enjoyment and participation the most in Volleyball. This level focuses on the interactions with others, relationships with peers, and athletes’ patterns of influence and how these might affect access and equity to exercise, sport, and physical activity. This level focuses on factors that are formed by our socialization from a young age through the process of learning on social development with our interactions with others at the core of learning to conform to what our culture values as ‘normal’ or ‘acceptable’. These factors include attitudes, values, and beliefs which are influenced mainly by the athlete’s participation in sports in general by their parents, peers, and school. Athletes with enthusiastic parents learn to value exercise, sport, and physical activity as it is being nurtured into their family household. Generally, the family member who holds the most influence on an athlete’s participation in sport is the father. As the athlete’s father figure isn’t in the picture it gave him the choice to mainly do whatever sport he wanted. The father wasn’t there to force him into another sport and forcing physical activity can develop a negative attitude within the sport and become less likely to participate in the sport itself. However, being involved in active play helped the athlete when he was younger receive a positive message towards sport.

The athlete has plenty of prior experience in physical activity and sports like football (soccer) due to their family and peer influence, however, this also hurt the athlete’s opportunity to participate in other sports like volleyball. Figueroa’s framework of interpersonal level states that the influence from peers and family has a great impact on an athlete’s participation, but also says that it may make a person feel excluded from the majority group. So, in that case, if the athlete were to decide to undertake a different sport, unfamiliar to the athlete’s family like volleyball, they could have ultimately felt excluded as their family and peer group are not around the same sport. Therefore, the athlete’s family and peer group negatively affected the athlete’s opportunity to participate in Volleyball before or outside of Year 12 HPE.

The athlete had shown strong interest and involvement in a range of sports and physical activity yet has had minimal participation in Volleyball. The reason for this is was, along with family and peers, the athlete also had influences from teachers and coaches. When someone starts school, they begin to interact with other agents of socialization like teachers and coach figures. These agents begin to teach athletes about the rules and procedures for activities within institutions which plays a significant part in shaping ideals about sports, exercise, and physical activity. In school, the athlete’s PE teachers taught them the basic skills needed for a variety of sporting activities. The athlete developed these skills during the years at school and became more confident in physical activity. The teachers also improved the abilities of the athlete through coaching and training. They offered the athlete a chance to achieve in different areas of sports. Teachers also developed the athlete’s attitude towards sport in a positive way towards sport and explained the advantages of long-term involvement in physical recreation as the teacher acts as a role model for the athlete. The teachers taught the athletes basic skills and benefits of playing sports and due to their friendship group and family, they went in that direction. As this was the case the teacher’s influence, especially at a younger age, did not encourage participation in Volleyball. However, the teachers did teach the basics like catching a ball, throwing a ball, etc which can relate to volleyball. This allowed the athlete to feel confident when playing Volleyball at an older age as the skills were developed at a younger age so that the athlete didn’t shy away from Volleyball when told to play it.

Professional athletes are widely known for their amazing physical abilities. No one could dunk like Michael Jordan, and no one could fight like Muhammad Ali. Often, though, these athletes accomplish great things outside of the sporting world. In some cases, these athletes use their prominent status for the betterment of society, drawing public focus on something that is important to them and their people. Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, and Jackie Robinson are three of countless examples of professional athletes that had tremendous impacts not only in their sport of choice, but also on American society.

Muhammad Ali, formerly Cassius Clay, had an exceptional boxing career, to put it modestly. His mixture of speed and strength with his prominent personality made for quite the character. Considered by many to be the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time and one of the greatest athletes of all time, Ali had an eventful history in and out of the ring. Cassius Clay’s boxing career included winning the light heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics at age 18, beating a more experienced Russian boxer (Rader, 230). “In February of 1963, the 21-year-old boxer stunned the world of sports by defeating Sonny Liston to win the heavyweight title” (Rader, 230).

Muhammad Ali was equally well known for his personality as he was for his skills in the boxing ring. He was a man of words. These words took many forms such as poetry and trash talking, which often combined for a creative way for Ali to attempt to get in the head of his opponents. “Cassius had just come from the Columbia Records studio… where he was making an album, I Am the Greatest, a long pastiche of poems and skits composed wholly in terms of his impending fight with Sonny Liston” (Wolfe, 113). His artistic tendencies as well as his extreme confidence made for a very effective trash talker. For example, before his title fight against Sonny Liston, Ali said, “I’m gonna tell him right before the fight starts so he won’t forget it, ‘Sonny,’ I’m gonna tell him, ‘Sonny Liston, I don’t want you trying to crash my victory party tonight, you hear that? I want you to hear that now, ‘cause you ain’t gonna be able to hear anything eight rounds from now’” (Wolfe, 123).

As with the other athletes being discussed, there is more to Muhammad Ali than his athletic capabilities and ruthless personality. Throughout his early career, Ali went by his birthname, Cassius Clay. It wasn’t until after shocking the world by beating Sonny Liston in the heavyweight title fight when he changed his image. “He sent out an even greater shock when he announced that he had joined the Nation of Islam and had traded his ‘slave name’ for a new one: Muhammad Ali” (Rader, 230). This announcement brought about concern and outrage in some Americans, as well as inspiration for others. In the midst of intensifying civil rights conflicts, the Nation of Islam was encouraging a more radical philosophy compared to that of Martin Luther King Jr. This radical philosophy brought about concern, causing the media often refused to use his new name.

The concerns with Ali’s newly revealed religion had not yet reached a peak. This would come in 1966 when Ali was deemed eligible for the military draft. “Ali refused to go, officially stating that his religion did not allow him to participate in a war waged by a Christian country” (Rader, 231). His act as a conscientious objector resulted in him being stripped of his license and title but turned Ali into a powerful symbol for the African American community. Ali’s license would later be reinstated, and later he would reclaim the title, but his role as an American symbol would continue long after.

Muhammad Ali was one of many professional athletes that played a big role outside the athletic realm, another prominent figure of this kind is Jackie Robinson. Jackie Robinson is one of the most well-known professional baseball players in American history, as well as one of the most well-known figures in the civil rights movement. What is less well known is that Robinson competed, even excelled, at sports other than baseball. “At UCLA I became the university’s first four-letter man. I participated in basketball, baseball, football, and track, and received honorable mention in football and basketball” (Robinson, 10). Robinson was an exceptional athlete but grew up in the time period in which the Jim Crow south was present, and the rest of the country was not prone to change. Determined, Robinson continued to work and strive to make a life for himself in the world of sports. Robinson, with the help of the Dodgers owner Branch Rickey, later became the first African American to play in modern-era major league baseball.

This story of Robinson being the first African American modern-era MLB player is a notorious one but is only a fraction of Jackie Robinson’s life. Another piece to the story of Jackie Robinson’s life is his experiences in World War II. “Being drafted was an immediate possibility, and like all men in those days I was willing to do my part” (Robinson, 12). Even though he was more than willing to do his part, Robinson, along with the other African Americans in the armed forces, faced a very racist and discriminatory military. Even though the Jim Crow south was the only part of the country with de jure segregation, the military remained a segregated institution with separate units specially for African American soldiers. One of the many examples of the American military’s discriminatory views is the bussing system. “There were only six or seven seats assigned to blacks, and my men would be kept waiting despite the many empty seats available” (Robinson, 14). Robinson was later scorned for complaining about the situation, but later the situation improved slightly in the form of more seats being allocated to the black section. There are countless examples of segregation and racist acts Robinson experienced in his time in the military, but this remained an important part of his life.

Being the first African American in the modern-era major leagues, as well as a person who served in World War II, Robinson quickly became one of the most prominent figures in the American civil rights movement. Although Robinsons career ended before 1954, his influence on society extended far beyond that. He was very devoted to using his prominent status to make positive change in American society. “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives” (Robinson, 268). Perhaps the most recognizable quote from his autobiography, it truly shows how strongly Robinson felt about helping the oppressed African Americans that weren’t as lucky as him. Robinson was a major part of the desegregation of professional baseball but wanted to be a major part of improving the everyday life of not only African Americans, but the lives of every person he can.

He effectively used his prominent status to spark change, from civil rights to politics. One example of Robinson continuing to influence society is in his public support of Richard Nixon in his campaign to become president. His support of Nixon was not similar to the majority of the African American population, who largely supported John F. Kennedy in the race. Robinson met with Kennedy but was not impressed. “My very first reaction to the Senator [Kennedy] as one of doubt because he couldn’t or wouldn’t look me straight in the eye. My mother had taught me to be wary of anyone who talked to you with head bowed or shifty eyes,” he continued, “My second reaction, much more substantial, was that this was a man who had served in the Senate and wanted to be President but who knew little or nothing about black problems and sensibilities” (Robinson, 137). This was one reason of many that Robinson decided to have a public role in campaigning for Richard Nixon’s presidential race. This is one of many examples of Jackie Robinson using his prominent status to enact change in American society.

Another professional athlete that had a large impact on American society is Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan’s basketball career is an impressive one, to say the least. Largely considered the best basketball player of all time, Jordan is one of the famous athletes to ever live. Michael Jordan’s life is that of an unlikely superstar. “As a sophomore he was cut from his varsity basketball team” (LaFeber, 30). His basketball career was brought into national focus while attending the University of North Carolina. During his three years at UNC, Jordan was formidable, winning a national championship and being named first team all-American as well as winning the coveted Naismith award. He then played a long, successful career for the Chicago Bulls. “When Michael Jordan joined them in the autumn of 1984, the Chicago Bulls were on the ropes. They had won twenty-seven and lost fifty-five games the previous year” (LaFeber, 49). The Bulls, on the back of Jordan, soon became the best team in the association, and until recently, the best team of all time, winning six NBA championships.

There is no question of Michael Jordan’s success on the basketball court, but the business he created around his athletic abilities is what he is notorious for, even by people that are not fans of the sport. “Within the next ten years, Jordan became the most widely recognized and probably wealthiest athlete on earth” (LaFeber, 49). Jordan became a worldwide phenomenon and took advantage of the attention. After signing with Nike, a Jordan line of shoes blossomed into a line of clothing, soon becoming the most famous brand in the world. Jordan discovered how to make a fortune long after an athletic career simply by having his name, and he was not the only person to monetize his success. “The NBA meanwhile became a television goldmine not only in the United States, but globally. It was quite a decade—an era made possible by Jordan’s athletic skills, his marketing instincts, a new type of corporation exemplified by Nike, and the technology of communication satellites and cable that made the globe into one mammoth television audience” (LaFeber, 49). Jordan’s successes on the court and in business expanded the world of sports. Famous players brand themselves, signing deals with major companies, creating a line of products in their name. The business of Jordan opened a door to the rest of professional athletes, men and women alike, and transitioned the world of sports into the modern consumer market.

These professional athletes each excelled at their sports, accomplishing a great many things in the ring, on the field, and on the court, as many others have. What sets these athletes apart from the countless with impressive athletic capabilities is their actions outside of the realm of sports. The thing Ali, Robinson, and Jordan have in common other than athleticism is that they left a lasting impact off the court. Muhammad Ali and Jackie Robinson acted to improve society through the use of the platform they built with their athleticism. Michael Jordan’s athleticism allowed him to use his keen business mind to become one of the most famous athletes of all time, opening the door for his successors to do the same after him. All three of these figures did their part to leave the world a better place they found it, and they were able to successfully use their status as a celebrity to bring about that change.

Works Cited

1. LaFeber, Walter. Michael Jordan and the New Global Capitalism. W.W. Norton & Company, 2002.
2. Rader, Benjamin G. American Sports: from the Age of Folk Games to the Age of Televised Sports. Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2009.
3. Robinson, Jackie, and Alfred Duckett. I Never Had It Made: An Autobiography of Jackie Robinson. HarperCollins, 1995.
4. Wolfe, Tom. “The Marvelous Mouth. Cassius Clay: ‘Man, if I get whupped, they’re gonna run me out of the country!’” Esquire, 1963.

Muhammad Ali was a boxer and social activist who is generally looked at as one of the most skillful athletes of this century. Ali instantaneously became an Olympic gold medalist in 1960 at an incredibly young age and instantly after, the world heavyweight boxing champion. Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky. Young Ali demonstrated that he wasn’t frightened of any battle at an early age. Growing up in the discriminative South, Ali familiarized himself with racial prejudice and discrimination straight from the horse’s mouth. At the age of 12, Clay identified his gift for boxing through an incidental circumstance. After his bike was taken, Clay expressed his frustration by telling a police officer that he desired to beat up the bandit. In due time, Ali began working with Officer Martin to gain experience and promptly after began his boxing career.

Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia in 1919 to a family of laborers. His mother courageously brought up Jackie and her four other children single-handedly. They were the one and only African-American family in their section. The discrimination, animosity, and injustice they experienced only strengthened their relationship. From this humble origin would arise the first baseball player to tear down Major League Baseball’s color barrier that segregated the sport. The MLB selected his number as the first one to ever retire for every team after he became the first modern black player.

Imagine as a young child hearing athletic sermons in church every Sunday. Do you think it would inspire you to succeed at sports? Billie Jean King came from a very athletic family, she initially obtained her inspiration to pursue sports from the athletic sermons she would hear. Billie Jean King overpowered through an enormous amount of hardships as well as tremendous individual conflicts to become the most outstanding professional tennis player of her time. After running all over the community to acquire the money for her first racket, Billie Jean King first came across gender inequality at the age of 12. King was excluded from a group photo of tennis players because she had worn tennis shorts that day, rather than the tennis skirt normally worn by female athletes while performing in a tournament at the Los Angeles Tennis Club. She quickly learned that the unequal treatment that female athletes experienced wasn’t only relegated to the dress code.

When Muhammad Ali was just eighteen years old he won a gold medal in the 1960 Rome Olympics. After returning from the Olympiad, the young Ali would under no condition leave behind his precious gold medal. A week had passed since returning from Rome, Ali walked inside a Louisville restaurant and was denied service. This situation infuriated Ali and it initiated his political journey. His journey from young superstar to activist is extraordinary. In 1964, Muhammad Ali joined the Nation of Islam after beating Liston for the heavyweight championship of the world. The Nation of Islam was led by Malcolm X, an activist popular for his controversial advocacy. Ali declined an invitation into the U.S. Army pointing out his disapproval towards the Vietnam War. This action came at a very extreme price. He was stripped of his title, banned from boxing, and no longer had a source of income. Unlike Jackie Robinson who was asked to take heavy abuse and swallow his pride to play at the highest level in baseball, Ali refused to turn the other cheek. Like Jackie Robinson, Ali opened the door to other athlete activists to protest to the general public. Muhammad Ali became a symbol of courage, a stand-in-your-face icon.

In 1947 Jackie Robinson stood companionless going toe to toe with the Major League Baseball. Brooklyn Dodgers owner Rickey thought Robinson could be the man to breach the color barrier that existed throughout the league. He understood that breaking the color line would demand the strength to tolerate nuisance, intimidation, and physical force to compete without exchanging punches. Rickey took his chances with a twenty-seven-year-old rookie who he thought would be ready and willing to take on these challenges. From the beginning, Jackie was getting spiked, slapped, and spat on whenever he stepped onto the diamond field. Robinson obtained mountains of hate mail from stone-cold killers and crews of anti-integrationists. He rode out every storm, first with his quietness, and later as his fearlessness evolved, with outspokenness that compelled people to take sides with him. Jackie Robinson used his sporting accomplishments, ability, and expertise as a starting line to progress the effort for equal identity. He opened up the door to a generation of talent and smashed the color barrier at great personal cost.

Money is the root of all evil. While this may seem be an extreme explanation and perhaps a bit of an over exaggeration, in many ways, this verse defines the issues plaguing modern day college athletics. In fact, the prioritization of money in college athletics is not a recent epidemic; its roots have been placed in college sports since its inception. As even during the first ever college athletics event in 1852, a boat race between Harvard and Yale, the event was used by a railroad company in order to in increase tourism (“Hurrah for the Shoes!,” 2001). The manifestation of this corporate culture in college athletics has proven them to be incompatible with academics, and even though the university administrators are keenly aware of this, they are also aware of the tremendous economic influence athletics have on their institutions.

To understand why university administrators are opposed to removing athletics despite their incompatibility with academics, it is important to understand the enormity of their impact on universities. Particularly, when collegiate athletic programs experience success with sports teams, mainly their football and men’s basketball programs, their universities realize unprecedented increases in donations and admission applications. The term for this this phenomenon is the “Flutie Factor” and is named after Boston College’s former quarterback, Doug Flutie, whose game winning Hail Mary pass in the 1984 game against the University of Miami allegedly acted as the catalyst in Boston College’s increased applications the following year (Sperber, 2001). More recently, Boise State University experienced record high donations and an 18 percent increase in applications following their successful 2006–07 football campaign, which was concluded with a win over college football juggernaut University of Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl to finish the season a perfect 13–0 (Choo, 2008). Similarly, two universities experienced large increases in applications following their runs in the 2013 NCAA men’s basketball Tournament. Florida Gulf Coast who had previously never made an appearance in the NCAA tournament, ended up reaching the Sweet Sixteen and Wichita State returned to the Final Four after last reaching that point in 1965 (Lim, 2015). Wichita State saw applications rise by an astounding 81% after their team reached the Final Four and within a year of Florida Gulf Coast’s run to Sweet Sixteen, purchase of men’s basketball-related merchandise saw a tremendous increase, along with applications to the school increasing by 27.5%, and out-of-state applications increasing by 41% (“Cinderella Stories Send Applications Soaring,” 2017; Lim, 2015)

Universities recognize this positive correlation and as a result, schools of all shapes and sizes supply larger portions of their budgets toward intercollegiate athletics. Football Subdivision Schools (FBS) were previously known as Division 1-A; schools in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) play football in what was previously referred to as Division 1-AA. FCS programs are smaller and do not have the resources to compete with the wealthier, FBS programs. Consequently, they offer fewer football scholarships, do not play in the plethora of lucrative bowl games, and rarely if ever make a profit since they do not have benefit from lucrative conference-based TV deals like teams in the FBS. Since these FCS programs bring in a smaller revenue from football, they depend on a far greater proportion of nonathletic budgetary resources to fund these programs (Denhart and Ripath 2011). Even though football is easily the most expensive intercollegiate sport and accounts for the largest percentage of these expenditure increases, even Division I schools without football programs are engaged in a similar athletics spending ‘‘arms race’’ as are Division III programs who are not even allowed to offer official athletic scholarships. These universities understand the influential capability that success in programs such as football and men’s basketball can bring about. As a result, they funnel money into these programs with the intention of drawing the eyes of potential students. With success in these programs, their brand can reach groups that otherwise would not be possible without athletics. The administrators who continuously fund and emphasize their athletic programs are not doing this to create opportunity for students but instead, are using athletics as a tool to cultivate awareness for their university.

This emphasis on athletic success can be seen at not only large schools with prominent, revenue-generating sports programs, but also at smaller schools including well established liberal arts colleges that boast academic excellence and admit some of the country’s finest students (“The Liberal Arts Football Factory,” 2017). The United States is the only country in the world that has made organized sports a traditional element of formal higher education (Coakley 2008). With the integration of athletics into these institutions, these universities have partially morphed into semi-professional sports franchises. These sports programs have played a crucial role in these universities becoming corporatized, with their teams becoming increasingly commercialized and capatlized on.

The inflow of cash from these big sports programs in turn has had a tremendous influence in guiding agendas within the university that reinforce athletic success. This corporatization of universities through collegiate athletics has resulted in a prioritization of athletic prowess over intellectual capability. These athletics have largely help sway these universities to devote a majority of their funds to support brand new athletic facilities and transfer scholarship money to academically unqualified athletes rather than the ones that are academically qualified for these institutions. This agenda also has largely contributed to the deterioration of these university’s core ‘product’, as schools have opted to promote their schools as premier locations and offer generous scholarships to academically unqualified student athletes. As a result of this deprioritization of academic competence, academic scandals have become commonplace in the collegiate athletic landscape. Since the adoption of intercollegiate athletics, these scandals have become more prevalent and the response to more recent scandals, indicate that these institutions are largely undisturbed by these fraudulent practices.

For example, over the course of several years, the African American Studies department at the University of North Carolina was shown to have committed major academic fraud (Wainstein, 2014). After the discovery of this fraud, over a dozen reports and investigations were written and conducted. One of the last reports was the Wainstein Report which was done by a for a private firm at UNC’s request. The report is over 100 pages long and was put together after an examination of the 10 preceding investigations. In the report, it describes the “paper classes” created and endorsed by former Afro-American studies secretary, Debbie Crowder, and former department chair, Julius Nyang’oro. These classes were constructed to require practically no attendance and with the only demand of students being that they write a paper or two over the course of the semester. The quality as well as length of these papers were unimportant as Crowder who was allowed to run these courses would mostly give them high marks (Wainstein, 2014). As if the student-athletes in these courses did not have it easy enough, tutors frequently wrote the papers for them (Wainstein, 2014). Scandals such as these are sadly, not uncommon with athletic programs due to the academic competence of the student-athletes being admitted to these programs. University’s such as North Carolina that pride themselves on academic excellence’s would not find themselves in these sort of positions if their athletics was not such an integral part of their institution.

With the litany of academic scandals across the country, it is best at this point, for universities to rid themselves of college athletics. While this likely will never happen, academics need to take back precedence on college campuses. Athletics in their current form are incompatible with athletics as university administrators use their programs as semi-professional sport franchise to help promote the university to prospective students. Intramural sports are a perfect example of sports that could be compatible with university athletics as these athletics are unable to be commodified by the universities. Until universities rid themselves of intercollegiate athletics in its current form, the regression of academic quality and integrity will continue.

Muhammad Ali is a professional boxer and one of the greatest sporting figures of the 20th century. He was born on January 17, 1942, in Louisville, Kentucky. Interestingly, it was Joe Martin a police officer from Louisville station, who influenced young Clay to become a boxer. Clay had received a brand-new bike and when he released someone had stolen it, he became very furious. He told Martin that he wanted to whip the thief and Martin suggested him to learn boxing first. Throughout his early stages of boxing, Martin was his coach, and in the last few years of amateur career, Cutman Chuck Bodak started training the young champ.

Starting his boxing career

Having the advantage of being tall, at 6 feet 3 inches, he was impressive in the ring and was very well known for his powerful jab and smooth swift footwork. What made him different from other boxers were the values and ethics that he always believed in through his journey. After winning a gold medal at the heavyweight division and officially starting his professional career in 1960, he converted to Islam at the age of eighteen and later changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Being one of the most recognized figures for a long period, he surprised the world every time he stepped into the ring. As a teenager, Ali won the National Amateur Athletic Union and Golden Gloves championships.

Wins and achievements

In the 1960 summer Olympic held in Rome Italy, Ali competed in the light heavyweight division, where he won all his matches and was awarded gold medal. He shocked the world, when he knocked out the heavyweight champion Sonny Liston in the first round, at the age 22. After that match, there was no stepping back for this powerful fighter as he knocked out most of his opponents to win the titles. One of the greatest fights in Ali’s career was Rumble in the Jungle against the undefeated heavyweight champion George Foreman in 1974. He knocks out Foreman in the eighth round and become the heavyweight champion for the second time. Ali fought his last match on December 11, 1981, against Trevor Berbick In Nassau, Bahamas, losing a ten-round decision. Throughout his career in boxing, Ali won 56 matches with 5 losses where 37 of the wins came from knockouts.

The obstacle that he faced during his career

On April 28, 1967, Ali appeared in Houston because of his induction in the U.S. Army. He repeatedly didn’t step forward as his name was called, even though the officer had warned him and told him that he was committing an offence which could get jailed for five years and fined $10,000. Due to his refusal of not joining the U.S. Army and fighting in the Vietnam war, he was arrested but stayed out of prison because his case was appealed. The Vietnam war was a cold war fought between the communist government of North Vietnam and its ally Russia and South Vietnam which were more democratic and allied with the United States. The state of New York suspended his license and banned him from boxing for three years. He was a heavyweight champion at the time and his title was taken away from him as well.

What did he to overcome the obstacle?

His refusal for not fighting in the war cost him 3 years of his career, which should’ve been his best years. United States was completely divided into two nations, some would support that the Americans should be contributing in the Vietnam war, whereas others like Ali was against it. As his appeal of conviction made its way through the court, Ali realised that there were many people who supported his decision. Since he was a very good at talking, he began to speak at colleges and give public speech across the nation, talking about justice, religion, and race.

In his refusal speech, Ali clearly explained why he refused to serve in the army because of his faith and belief. He stated that if he went to the war, it would mean that I have to go against my faith and belief, and I cannot do that. Ali stated: “There is one hell of a difference between fighting in the ring and going to war in Vietnam.” Another reason that he stated for not going to the war was that the Vietnamese people had never done anything wrong to him, so why would he go and fight against them, when my own people from my own country have been racist to me and called me wrong names.

After so much hard work and dedication, in 1970 things started to favour him. On August 1970, while his case was still in appeal, Ali was granted a boxing license. The next month, Judge Walter Roe Mansfield from District court of United States stated that New York’s athletic commission had violated Ali’s rights for banning him for 3 years. There were many more boxers, who were convicted of crime but still had license to fight, why can’t Ali have this right the Judge noted.

The supreme court overturned his conviction and the New York State Boxing Commission was forced to reinstate Ali’s boxing license.

Back in the ring

After returning to the sport, Ali was very successful in overcoming the obstacles that he had been facing for quite some time. On October,1970 Ali made his first return in the ring after 3 and half years. This fight was against Jerry Quarry and Ali finished the fight in the third round. He fought Oscar Bonavena two months later and beat him in the 15th round. These two fights set Ali for the big fight called the ‘Fight of the Century’ on March 8, 1971 against the undefeated Joe Frazier. However, Ali lost this match in the last round by unanimous decision and this was his first professional defeat. He fought 31 fights after he got his boxing license again and lost only five of those matches.

The late Tommy Kono was a Hall of Fame weightlifter who shattered numerous world records. Kono’s success was not immediate; he had to work hard to achieve his dreams and get to the point he was in his prime. Tommy Kono was born on June 27, 1930. As a young Japanese-American kid living in the Sacramento area during World War II, Kono was sent to Tule Lake, a Japanese internment camp. These internment camps quarantined Japanese Americans during the war and forced them to live in inhumane conditions. This young boy was already ridden with health issues. He was sickly thin, standing at just 74 pounds at the age of 12, and had severe asthma issues, to the point where he had to miss school due to breathing complications. His time in the dusty cramped California internment camp did have two benefits: his asthma was almost cured and he discovered weightlifting. Kono loved weightlifting, and he became pretty good at it despite his small frame.

Shortly after his release from Tule Lake, Kono was drafted to fight in the Korean War. However, government officials spotted his talent and dedication to the sport of weightlifting and granted him draft amnesty. He wanted to go to New York for the Weightlifting World Championship tryouts but didn’t have the necessary funds to afford the trip. He ended up working as a cook and had his athletic club (Oak Park Athletic Club) host a fundraiser in order to pay for his trip and a chance to try out for the American team. Kono earned his spot on the team and was on his way to Helsinki, Finland for the 1952 Summer Olympics.

Kono won his first Olympic gold medal at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki as a rookie weightlifter in the lightweight category. Not only did he earn first place, but he also broke the record at the time for the snatch event. Tommy truly showed perseverance and strength in Finland when he got food poisoning but was still able to rebound and earn gold. His success didn’t stop there at all. For the next eight years, Kono was undefeated, winning gold at every U.S. World Championship and Olympic Games he participated in. His most notable gold medal was four years later at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne as a light-heavyweight class competitor. During his prime, Kono set 26 world records, establishing himself as one of the greatest American weightlifters of all time.

One of Kono’s strengths was his ability to move between weightlifting weight classes with ease while still continuing his dominance. He has placed in all four weight divisions he has competed in – lightweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, and middle heavyweight. A gruesome knee injury before the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo forced him to retire. Kono retired as one of the best weightlifters of all time and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993. He was named ‘weightlifter of the century’ only 8 years after his Hall of Fame induction.

Kono wasn’t only a superstar weightlifter, he was also a great bodybuilder. He won the title of ‘Mr. Universe title’ in bodybuilding in 1955, 1957, and 1961. Additionally, he won the title of ‘Mr. World’ in 1954, showing his prowess in not only weightlifting but also in bodybuilding. After a successful career in weightlifting, he became a weightlifting coach for America, Mexico, and West Germany.

Off the mat, Kono made progress to enhance the equipment weightlifters used. He was able to develop special elbow and knee bands to help increase joint support for weightlifters. He also had writings published in Strength & Health magazine and wrote several books. His most famous book, ‘ABCs of Olympic Lifting’, was a weightlifting guide and included everything one needed to become a successful weightlifter. He wrote about the correct weightlifting form, as well as the correct way to perform different methods. “You must tax the muscles, but, at the same time, give the muscles ample rest time to recover”, said Tommy Kono when describing his workout regimen. His workout philosophy was to value quality workouts, and to have hard workouts a few times a week to stay in shape.

Tommy Kono passed away on April 24, 2016, due to liver problems. He is still one of the most respected athletes in his sport. His endless drive and passion inspired many others to pursue weightlifting and to seek out their own passions as well. Kono started out as a scrawny kid trapped in an internment camp and climbed his way to success. The Hall of Fame weightlifter will forever be a role model for aspiring Olympian weightlifters to come.

Nutrition plays a key role in building muscle and enhancing athletic performance, as athletes will utilize different diets that they see as the most optimal [1]. However, the health benefits of meat and plant diets have not been fully elucidated to weightlifting athletes. This review analysis focuses on the ideal and healthiest diet for strength-based athletes to perform, specifically it addresses the common notion that bodybuilders must eat meat to succeed.

The goal of any diet for strength-based athletes is to attain a low body fat percentage and lean muscle mass [2, 3]. In the early to mid 19th century, most strength-based athletes saw meat as the best way to gain muscle, maintain a low body fat, and support recovery. Previous literature further reinforced the notion that a meat-based diet (MBD) is a good way to build muscle, however the health benefits were not thoroughly discussed [3, 4]. In addition, there is a common stereotype that vegetarians are weak, such that if one were to ask a lay person to guess the diet of a muscular athlete, many would instantly think that of heavy MBD [5]. However, 1975 Mr. Olympia, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is now acknowledging that there is no reason why eating a PBD should pose any barriers to attaining a muscular physique [1]. There are many benefits to MBD and plant-based diets (PBD) however, which diet is more beneficial is yet to be determined. It is theorized that a PBD compared to a MBD is the best for these athletes because of the increased protein density, reduced caloric density, and reduced hormonal exposure.

Methods

An online literature search was explored to assess the biological implications associated with MBD and PBD. Google Scholar and PubMed were utilized to identify articles in English that investigated various diets on human physiology up until July 2020. Key terms queried include various combinations of the following key terms: “Optimal athletic diet”, “Plant-based diet”, “Meat-based diet”. The following terms were queried for both MBD and PBD. “Biological Implication” , “Short- term health effects”, “Long-term health effects”, “Negative aspects”, “Positive”, “Effect of… on triglyceride levels, diabetes, cancer”.

Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Meat Based Diet (MBD)

A MBD is a diet that consists of protein sources from dead animals. There are short term effects from eating meat that result in many reduced unhealthy lifestyles. Common sources of MBD such as pork, beef, lamb, and bacon contain high saturated fats which cause sudden and drastic increases in postprandial blood triglycerides levels which can have deleterious effects [6, 7]. Eating meat increases the risk of having high triglyceride levels due to the high-fat content of these foods. Eating meat results in high levels of saturated fats to enter the bloodstream, which could lead to some life-threatening diseases. High triglycerides levels contribute to hardening of the arteries and thickening of the artery walls resulting in arteriosclerosis, in which there is plaque formation on the vessel walls which may constrict blood flow [7, 8]. Arteriosclerosis increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease [9]. Furthermore, extremely high triglycerides can also cause pancreatitis , an acute and painful inflammation of the pancreas [10]. Additionally, consuming MBD promotes increases in glucose levels and is detrimental when wanting to lower glucose levels [9- 11]. This increases the risk for type 2 diabetes which also adds further risk to developing arteriosclerosis, heart failure, and strokes.

Processed meat consumption consistently increases the risk of getting certain types of cancer as well as increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease. MBD are often processed with a lot of sodium, which raises the blood pressure resulting in hypertension, which increases the risk of mortality [12, 13,14]. A recent study revealed that patients who increased their red meat intake by just half a serving a day boosted their risk of dying over the next eight years by 10% [14]. And the type of meat made a difference, as eating processed meats such as hot dogs was linked to a 13% higher risk of dying early, while more unprocessed meat increased the risk 9% [14, 15]. Eating a MBD cannot only increase the risk of getting certain cancers and diseases, it could also increase the risk in death.

Biological Mechanism of MBD

All MBDs include heme, an iron compound responsible for carrying oxygen. This ingested substance results in the formation of a cytotoxic compound in the intestinal lumen [16] . This results in a cellular damage and a compensatory hyperproliferation of colonic epithelial cells which significantly increases the risk for cancer. In a recent study, the World Health Organization declared MBD a carcinogen as it increases the risk of colon or rectum cancer by 18 percent [16]. Processed meats are not the only meats that contain carcinogen. Beef, poultry and other animal sources also carry other cancer promoting substances [7]. Just one serving a day of red meat during adolescence was correlated with a 22% increased risk of premenopausal breast cancer [7].

Beyond the cytotoxic effects of heme, there are many reasons as to why MBD is linked to cancer. First, MBD contains minimal fiber and specific nutrients that may prevent carcinogenesis, such as antioxidants. MBD contains increased amounts of saturated fats and various types of growth hormones, which have also been associated with carcinogenesis [8].

The USDA has shown that 70 percent of food poisoning is caused by contaminated animal flesh. The microorganisms in meats, which are due to filthy contamination during slaughter, are the leading factor to many diseases today, such as E.coli and salmonella [8].

Lastly, eating a MBD diet can make the body resistant to antibiotics. As the antibiotics initially developed to treat human illnesses are now used to promote growth in animals, leading to increased exposure of antibiotics and new strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria [8].Overall, a MBD comes with many health disadvantages, which could ultimately lead to sickness or death, and clearly not beneficial for any athlete .

Short and Long-Term Effects of a Plant Based Diet (PBD)

Many athletes try to avoid a PBD due to the preconceived notion that they lack nutritional benefit for gaining muscle mass. Contrary to common belief, PBD is more beneficial when it pertains to protein, a key nutrient in muscle building. Most PBDs have a higher protein per calorie density than MBD. For example broccoli has more protein per calorie than steak, (11 grams vs 9 grams) and spinach is about equal to chicken and fish when counting per calorie [13]. When assessing density as protein per gram, there are many superior plant options for example a soy-based protein powder contains 55.6g of protein per 100g while 100g of skirt steak contains 28.7 grams of protein [14]. When lifting weights, running marathons, or simply just walking, our hard-working muscles run mainly on glycogen. From just eating a plant based meal before a workout, it potentially optimizes strength and performance as plants are giving the body the energy it needs. There are also many other short-term benefits a plant-based diet comes with. For example, one plant based meal could increase the blood flow in a human body! In an experiment conducted on three NFL players in The Game Changers revealed, a single animal-based meal can quickly thicken our blood [12], which slows down the flow of oxygen and the nutrients blood transports to the areas that need it most, including the muscles we use during exercise [13]. People who avoid meat experience the opposite effect, since plant-based meals allow blood to remain fluid and flow quickly to its destination [1]. Having a smooth, efficient blood flow helps lifters and athletes’ nutrients get to their muscles and brain, which ultimately makes it faster to gain muscle. Also, the nitrates found in plants allow our muscles to function better while using the same or if not, lower amounts of energy. In other words, this opens the door to optimize performance in all aspects (running, lifting, working, etc.). Eating a PBD long-term can save many people from getting serious, life-threatening cancers and diseases, while promoting muscle gain..

Unlike a MBD, PBD’s have no proven association with increasing the risk of cancer. In fact, it may even protect athletes from them, due to their antioxidant effect. With the increase in blood flow over time. Overall, the long-term benefits of eating a PBD diet is that one can look healthy from the outside, on the inside, and most importantly, feel healthy.

Biological Mechanism of a PBD

Consuming a PBD regularly is proven to have many significant effects on overall health. Unlike a MBD, when eating plant-based food items, one’s salt intake, fat intake, cholesterol levels, and sugar levels will decrease significantly [9]. This is because most plant-based foods are not processed, meaning there are no artificial sugars/sodium added, as well as most carbohydrates in plants are not as readily digestible resulting in a slow rise in blood glucose levels [9]. A significant reduction in fat, sugar, and salt reduces the likelihood of diabetes, obesity, hypertension and heart disease- some of the leading causes of mortality for americans. The underlying principle behind these benefits are the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nature of a PBD. A PBD prevents vascular endothelial cell (VEC) injury. VEC are specialized cells that line the blood vessels and are critical in maintaining adequate vascular function and architecture, and dysfunction or damage of VEC can lead to a heart-attack or stroke [10].

Many plants are rich in polyphenols, an antioxidant that sequesters harmful radicals that induce inflammation and cellular damage [9]. Antioxidants are commonly found in plant based foods. Polyphenols also decrease the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), an important structure for transferring and carrying cholesterol and triglycerides. [9]. This effect on LDL will reduce the risks promoting athesclerotic plaque build up [11]. When plaque builds the arteries, blood flow to vital organs will become disrupted and eventually compromised, leading to end organ damage and failure [11]. More importantly, eating a PBD decreases the blood levels of Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) (citation). TMAO is a chemical compound produced from bacteria coming from the gut and it comes mainly from MBD (citation). Having high TMAO levels promotes inappropriate white blood cell activation resulting in chronic inflammation and damage. Eating a PBD provides a serious benefit as it reduces chronic inflammation and the risk for many deadly diseases.

Meal Plan

For athletes that aim to start a PBD and gain muscle mass, there are many different diet plans to choose from which may seem intimidating and confusing. Figure #1: PBD Meal Plan for an average 150 pound Athlete is a sample PBD meal plan for athletes seeking to stay healthy and build lean muscle mass. This PBD utilizes a variety of healthy fruits and vegetables to please the palate as well as a high protein content to increase muscle mass. Protein requirements were estimated to be 0.7–1 grams per pound (1.6–2.2 grams per kg) of body weight based on the current literature [12]. For this diet plan the protein outcome is 150 grams a day.

Conclusion

Nutrition plays a key role in muscle building and becoming a professional athlete. Although there is endless research related to the optimal nutrition for bodybuilding, there is a paucity on the difference between MBD and PBDs. Though a MBD can lead to increased muscle mass, it is associated with many negative consequences. The most favorable and healthiest nutrition plan to gain muscle is to go on a PBD. A PBD comes with many health benefits, including increased protein dense food and antioxidants that will help keep the body in prime shape to excel and grow muscle mass. A PBD both comes with many benefits and is the best for building muscle.

Kobe Bryant defined the Los Angeles sports culture. His legacy brought people of all races, ages, and genders together as one to enjoy the sport of basketball. At just 18 years old his career in the NBA kickstarted where he played for the Los Angeles Lakers for twenty years following his retirement. He was recognized for his athletic abilities with multiple MVP awards, even more All-Star appearances, and leading his team to the championship finals multiple times (and winning!) Bryant also won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2018 for his written narration of “Dear Basketball.” He is the only player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) to have both of his numbers retired, number 8 and number 24. From representing the United States on the Olympic basketball team to 18 All-Star appearances, Bryant’s talent was unmatched and he was guaranteed one of the greatest leaders and players to step foot on the basketball court.

Bryant was also an active member in the community, especially when it came to teaching the game of basketball to young athletes. After his retirement he was a full time coach to his daughter Gianna Bryant’s basketball team within the Mamba Academy where they dedicated to creating a positive impact for underserved athletes and young women in sports. On the way to a game at his own sports academy in Thousand Oaks, Kobe along with his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven others were killed in a fatal helicopter accident in the city of Calabasas. On January 26, 2020 at the age of 41, Kobe Bryant’s life tragically ended. His death affected millions and I can remember it felt like the world took a pause on everything and it was a moment of worldwide grief. Athletes, celebrities and fans young and old in LA and everywhere else felt a painful loss that Sunday when the news broadcasted the devastating accident that ended Kobe Bryant’s career. The psychological emotional experiences of grief, loss, and mourning will be applied to the topic of the accidental death of the legendary Kobe Bryant.

The first psychological emotional experience I will be outlining is grief. Psychology Today defines grief as “the acute pain that accompanies loss.” Grief is a major part of the human experience, it reveals our vulnerable side, and vulnerability is strength. Most people are familiar with the 5 stages of grief which include denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance whether it’s “prolonged” or “acute.” Researchers have discovered that grief can be unpredictable. Many may not go through all five steps of grief, and some may take longer than others to reach acceptance, but in the end all humans go through the same process of grief at least once in their life and felt a sense of loss during unpredictable times. According to Psychology Today, “No one is immune to loss and grief, and yet, we’re ill-equipped to deal with this universal experience” (Meekhof, 2020, par. 4).

As stated before, vulnerability is strength and expressing grief digs deep into our emotions and allows humans to show another side of themselves that we usually hide from others. “Becoming comfortable with speaking about grief and sadness allows us as human beings to better understand the deep emotions often harnessed to loss,” author Kristin Meekhof (2020) says, “When we allow ourselves to show softness, to bend to someone’s heartbreak, we give dignity to their vulnerability and our own” (Psychology Today, par. 7). Grief can be contagious, especially when more than one person has a connection between the object that they lost, in this case, the death of Kobe Bryant. Individuals young and old shared a similar grief from Bryant’s death internal or external, whether they cried about it, shared their favorite stories, or visited a memorial in LA. Meekhof says, releasing tears contributes to expressing grief, and we are able to distinguish between tears of grief versus tears of joy (par. 6).

Next is the emotional experience of loss. Similar to grief, loss is when an individual is no longer with a significant person in their life. Despite the fact that myself, along with thousands of other fans did not know Bryant on a personal level, he made a significant impact on our journeys as a charismatic leader and a role model. People deal with loss differently just like grief, sometimes people take it harder than others while some may find it easier to cope with loss. According to the article, Attachment Styles and Reactions to Grief and Loss, Dr. Hal Shorey illustrates attachment styles’ impact on how people grieve and react to loss. The four types of attachments he discusses for how people deal with loss is anxious attachment, disorganized attachment, secure attachment, and avoidant attachment. He says, “anxious/preoccupied styles will be heavily impacted by loss and that the associated negative feelings will last longer” (Shorey, 2020, par. 10). People with this kind of attachment typically have heightened levels of intense anger for a duration of time regarding the situation.” On the other hand people who have avoidant attachment deal with loss completely differently. Dr Shorey (2020) says, “Those with avoidant/dismissing styles may appear to cope better with grief after a loss…Yes, they are likely to acknowledge less distress and are less likely to admit negative feelings to others. They are likely to suppress their unwanted feelings and externally appear fine” (Psychology Today, par. 11).

Mourning is defined as the response to a loss and grief. Experiencing a loss is emotionally draining and can cause an incline in mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, or typically an eating disorder. Mourning a loss helps me commemorate loved ones despite the fact that I knew there was absolutely nothing I could do to bring them back. According to Dr. Robert Berezin’s article, Mourning – Death, Loss, Trauma, and Psychotherapy, “there is an emptiness that always remains, as the pain of loss can never completely heal. At best, by grieving our loss we can allow it to live on and be enshrined as a loving memory where it belongs. Once an attachment forms it can never be undone. It enters our world as a monument to the living. All loss leaves scars” (Berezin, 2015, par. 1). Researchers encourage individuals to mourn a loss because it aids in the healing process of grief. Dr. Berezin says that, “mourning is the universal process of the brain that generates recovery and change” (Berezin, 2015, par. 3). Different people have different relationships to Kobe, or apply different principles while mourning this loss. It should not be important to judge people based on the duration it takes them to grieve a loss, but it is important however that we continue to remember the memories and meaningful moments of a life.

From a personal perspective, the death of Kobe Bryant took a toll on myself as well as my family. I grew up in LA and in a Lakers fan base household, so when I found out that news that Kobe had died I was devastated. I found myself going through the five stages of grief after Bryant had died. I was first in denial when I saw posts about his death on social media. I could not believe it, I was awestruck , one of my favorite players who inspired me to play the sport of basketball, was no longer alive. Second, I became angry at the situation. I asked questions such as “Why couldn’t the helicopter pilot wait for the weather to improve?”, “Why did it have to be Kobe?”, and “Why did he have to fly on that helicopter that day at that time?” The next stage of bargaining I felt as if it was connected to my anger where I asked those “what if” and “if only” questions. The following stage of depression was something that I found myself to be stuck on for a while. I was mourning Bryant’s death for a long duration of time, and I couldn’t bring myself to go to LA to visit his memorials because I knew how much it was going to hurt me. I would watch old photos and videos of Bryant being a well rounded athlete and leader, and it was so overwhelming for me, but I couldn’t find myself to look away. My entire social media page was filled with Kobe Bryant posts and I experienced a deep depression. I wanted to heal and recover from his traumatizing death but reading posts about how he was such a compelling, influential player brought me to tears. There was one news post in particular where the anchor gave a touching speech about Bryant and how he was a “girl dad” because he was a father to 4 girls. Watching that video put into perspective that life is unpredictable and we should cherish the moments that we have on this Earth because it can come to an end at any time, any day. My sister and I like to call my father a ‘girl dad’ as well because all his kids are girls, and we use that term as a way to have Kobe’s memory live throughout our household. I noticed that I felt a deep depression for quite a while, however according to Lori Bolden’s article on grief and grieving, she says, “the authors discuss the normalcy of feeling depressed and affirm the idea that feeling such things are necessary for the healing process to begin” (Bolden, 2007, page 236). The final stage of acceptance was a relief for me, I was no longer mourning and I wasn’t experiencing a deep depression, yet I still felt a little hurt at the loss of Kobe and his daughter Gianna Bryant, but eventually I came to accept the reality of their death. I continue to remember his legacy and his “mamba mentality” that shaped me to be the basketball player I am today.

2020 has taken a huge toll on many of us, myself included both mentally and physically. Just at the start of the year we faced a devastating loss that affected millions. I never met Kobe Bryant but I felt as if I knew him. According to Psychology Today, “Research has shown that African-Americans also often feel linked to one another that what happens to one person is viscerally felt by every other” (Franco, 2020, par. 5). Grief is a complicated process that brings both positive and negative feelings about the deceased. Mourning a loss shows vulnerability is strength as long as we take time for ourselves to recover and heal from the pain of a loss. The psychological emotional experiences of grief, loss, and mourning is significant to the human experience and helps us cope during a crisis.

Ever since I was a child, I’ve been captivated by the world of football. The thrill of the game, the roar of the crowd, and the sheer beauty of a perfectly executed play have always stirred something deep within me. Football is more than just a game to me; it’s a passion, a dream, and a path I long to follow. This essay delves into my journey and aspirations to become a football player, highlighting the various aspects fueling my ambition.

The Beauty of Teamwork and Strategy

Football is a game where success hinges on teamwork and strategy. The way players synchronize their movements, anticipate each other’s actions, and work together towards a common goal is akin to a well-conducted orchestra. For me, being part of a team means being part of something larger than myself. It’s about contributing my skills for the greater good of the team. The thought of being in a huddle, planning the next move, and executing it flawlessly with my teammates is exhilarating. The camaraderie and bond that develop within a team are aspects of football that I deeply cherish.

The Physical and Mental Challenge

Football is not just physically demanding; it’s also a mental game. It requires a unique combination of strength, agility, and mental toughness. The challenge of pushing my limits, both physically and mentally, is something that I relish. I am drawn to the rigorous training, the discipline, and the relentless pursuit of physical excellence. Moreover, the mental aspect of the game, such as reading the opposition, making split-second decisions, and maintaining focus under pressure, is equally enticing. The prospect of mastering the game’s physical and mental facets is a challenge I eagerly embrace.

Building Character and Resilience

Football, like life, is full of highs and lows. It teaches resilience, discipline, and the ability to bounce back from setbacks. These are qualities that extend far beyond the football field. My journey in football has taught me to handle both success and failure with grace. It has instilled in me a sense of responsibility, leadership, and work ethic. These are traits that I know will serve me well in all areas of my life. My aspiration to become a football player is not just about the sport; it’s about shaping myself into a well-rounded individual.

Achieving Dreams and Inspiring Others

My ultimate dream is to play professionally. This goal is not just about the personal glory or the thrill of competition; it’s about the opportunity to inspire others. I want to be a role model for young aspiring athletes, showing them that dreams can become reality with hard work and determination. I envision using my platform as a professional player to give back to the community, encourage and motivate young people to pursue their passions, and be a positive influence both on and off the field.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my desire to be a football player stems from a deep-rooted love for the game, an appreciation for the challenges it presents, and a yearning to grow both as an athlete and a person. Football is more than just a sport to me; it’s a journey I am wholeheartedly committed to. It’s about being part of a team, pushing my limits, building character, achieving my dreams, and hopefully, inspiring others along the way. As I continue to pursue this path, I am reminded of legendary football coach Vince Lombardi’s words: “Football is like life – it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and respect for authority.” This is the path I choose to follow, and I am excited about the journey ahead.

Why Professional athletes are overpaid?

To most people, a million dollars is a lot of money, but to some, it is an insignificant amount. Many people will see it hard to believe that such an abundant amount means nothing to them. When it comes to athletes who play professional sports such as football, who are making large amounts of money and many people don’t realize the actual amount of their income. Although these athletes are talented men that play sports and get paid so much money. Throughout the years the amount they earn is absurd, these wages have risen dramatically, the cost to own a team, and how average jobs are paid less compare to how athletes make today. Over the past decade’s wages have significantly increased by 3.2% throughout the years (Ben Casselman) and the lowest unemployment rate at 3.6% (Bureau of Labor).

Jobs have changed dramatically throughout the years and the sports entertainment industry has become a big business. NFL owners’ pay is enormous, the same as the players. Owners get their money from becoming successful businessmen (Tom Huddleston jr.) and the reason why people buy a sports team is because allows people to spend money in order to make more money. With many risks involved, owners will pay their players millions of dollars and hopefully will win games to generate more revenue for the team. The risk of having a football team in cities has consequences. Taxpayers want money to end up for the right purposes and when comes to building an NFL stadium can cost $1.2B (Economic Review). Making taxpayers confused and feel their money is being put towards unnecessary projects. Having franchises in cities can create economic growth, jobs and civic pride (Wallace Maxwell) meaning city revenue increases, working in the sports franchise provide jobs and players’ success off the field can boost civic pride by volunteering at charities and community programs.

Players raise millions of dollars to donate to charities, schools, and hospitals making them known for large quantifications of donations toward a foundation. Making them feel good about themselves and giving back to their communities. Chris Long a defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles donated all of his entire 2017 salary of $1 million for education equality. Long has spent playing in the NFL 10 years playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and the St. Louis Rams. Long said “In my 10th year, I want to celebrate the awesome opportunity I’ve had to play football by giving back to the communities that have given me that gift (Martin Frank). Long said in the statement “Educational opportunity and equality are the best gateways to a better tomorrow for everyone in America. (Martin Frank).” Mr. Long donated his entire contract to help his community and he is not thinking about himself, he is changing people’s live not many players would donate their all of their salary, but Mr. Long is a brave man who wants others to succeed and help the next generation. While most Americans, work jobs from Monday through Friday working 40 hrs a week and getting paid $60,336 yearly (US Household income).

Athletes today get paid on average $2.1 million yearly (Kurt Badenhausen) to practice and play football, while in the 1950s players often worked secondary jobs to make ends meet. The average player at that time was getting less than $6,000 per season (David Thyberg). Some people disagree on why athletes are overpaid rather than teachers who shape our futures, military troops who protect our country, and doctors who save people’s lives. Haleigh Lovell says, “I think a man with a helmet defending his country should make more than a man with a helmet defending a football, don’t you think” (Haleigh Lovell). This quote shows that people who have important jobs that help save people’s lives should get paid more rather than athletes who play football for 60 minutes. Many Americans are struggling to pay bills payment, student debt, and find jobs to support families. “Hard to say players who make millions playing football games and demand more money and get it” (Chris Mueller). In conclusion, football has changed since the 1950s and is now the most successful sport in the United States. Most people like to watch football, because of the competition to fight and win, but behind the scenes, there is so much going on. Owners want to make more money, Players getting paid millions to play and important figures getting paid less than athletes which is unfair. Owners should make players donate a significant amount of their salary and should be required to volunteer a huge number of hours and give back to the communities. Many people will appreciate this and will change many lives forever.