"Final Reflection"

All my life I have been involved in sports and the being able to learn more about which the societies  perception around it just makes it even more interesting. Taking this class and learning about new topics that surrounds sports gave me the ability to go into deep depth about sports. This course made us think critically about sports in different ways we don't see watching television. Being a collegiate athletes this subject kinda sorta drives me just by learning and being more aware about the ancient sports culture. I believe sports has shaped myself into being the person I am today and it has made a difference in my determination and love for sports. Learning in this class has change my whole perception of sports even how its presented to us on ESPN. I really learning about the ancient days in sports and how it was played with a certain way of their own such as baseball before the rules they have implied to it now days. Taking this class made me ask myself more about the obstacles athletes face behind the camera and all the fame just being elite athletes. I have a different view on college programs and how these athletes are being used and playing their role at the end of day. With me being a elite athlete playing on a huge stage in football now days I believe more athletes should obtain the knowledge of how sports is really not what we assumed it of being. The US culture is changing day by day and its important for people to be aware of it in todays society.

Why the 'Mans Mans' Game is an insult to Men'

Mens who come out as gay, I believe in a sense its becoming more accepting in our society. Throughout in our society it has been accepted, But still haven't reached the fact that it can be dealt with in certain sports. Many years it hasn't been accepted so players often times felt uncomfortable rather they should come out by just thinking they trouble they might cause. They fail to have courage in coming out about their sexuality because this is seen to be not common because of what their teammates might think, fans and ever owners of teams might not allow that. For professional athletes I believe being gay in an environment thats not safe for a gay man especially. For example Michael Sam from Missouri an All-American DE, best in the nation. He was comfortable with his sexuality and decided to come out as gay shocked the country and it even pushed some NFL teams away. Coming out gay he fell down a couple of rounds and was faced with so much scrutiny around through media and also with NFL players already and his hasn't been drafted yet. This is typically this reason why I don't believe the next level for athletes hasn't been accepted yet and might not be for awhile. I believe having your own sexuality and feelings comfortable about rather its being a lesbian or gay for males should be acceptable also well respected. LGBT athletes shouldn't have to hide their identity and be depressed about being accepted. It just carries more stress on these people and I believe we should be all treated fairly.

"Darwin's Athletes" Sports and Ethnicity

Sports in the American culture is very significant and its brings all culture from around the world together in a sense. Growing up athletes need guidance and a way to be way more motivated. Sports changes young lives and gives them a vision to be great and to pursue their dreams. Every kid dream is to become a professional athlete but not all athletes make it due to grades and series of injuries they may have suffered or some athletes are just not that good. These often have lack of the opportunity to have a chance to chase their dreams growing up in the inner city with the lack of help to push them. Black American image through media, magazines,  social sites. They are seen being flashy, cocky, and always in nice gear with nice cars.

The Documentary Hoop Dreams demonstrates the Black African American struggles of success as teenagers. These young men are goals are to be successful and make it to the NBA. As students in Chicago these young men lack the opportunities chances of making their dreams come true. This Documentary is similar to the movie Coach Carter. They both shows the realism of the struggles in their cultures they have to go through in order to succeed. These Black African Americans are seen to lack discipline and most of the times live in neighborhoods thats low income. The opportunities are seen as being slim with little to none opportunities as upper class children in the good neighborhoods. Sports actually to me is a life changer from most youth African American to do something different. A changer  to change these children lives and provide them with better opportunities to be successful and be a better person in life.

Interrogating inequalities in sports media

When I looked up NFL.com the home page football happens to be the mainstream as the main headliner. The best college players being the center of attention to be possible high or low draft picks in our 2014 draft. Present day the headliner to this present day is the scouting combine outside in scoop on every aspect of it. These young faces of the NFL are projected potentially to dominate and be prepared for the next level day by day as the draft approaches. This sites has images of previous players and current players that’s some of the college’s best. Johnny Manziel big tops on the sites mainstream while showing statistics of his season serving at Texas A&M being the hot topic of discussion. This website puts these college player or just player out there to the public updating them but, also putting their brand out there.  

 http://www.nfl.com/

"Reflecting On the Shame of College Sports

The shame of college sports article was about the major competing sports in America on the collegiate level potentially the thought of these athletes should or not get paid on the college level in sports. The college sports has in a sense became the primarily face of these universities. In these sports money is being brought to most universities such as in football. Just off football sports at most universities they make huge profits off of that sport. This brings up the argument of athletes are doing the on field work with winning and putting possibly their career on the line while not getting paid. Reading these athletes articles and with me being a student athlete it's no telling when our career is up. Putting our bodies on the line for our teammates and giving the fans a great show. We dedicated to our sport and it's been that way sense we was children. With working to get to this level and not being able to get paid to go against to competition. These players across the country are potential pro players and they know how to play. I think we should at least receive some benefits for our hard work and dedicated to the sports being collegiate athletes and potential pro-athletes.

''High Sports''

When I look at high school sports as a whole I look at how they are on such a high stage by media, fans and the top coaches in college sports to be the best and win. Everything is held to certain standard and it has been like this the the children and myself younger days these athletes have been playing. The stage gets different and more intense which takes time and effort. Practice is getting putting into these sports in high school that they often lose track of the most important thing which is education. Being involved in sports does get children more active and teaches values also keeps them out of trouble. In a sense being to engaged they get side tracked and shift their focus just on the sports which affects their academics. Being involved interscholastic sports in America helps keeps students more driven, motivated in sports and academics to be shaped for society in being a better person. Children are so driven when it comes to sports its feel of relief from everything they have been doing. If children share that same mindset we will see differences in children in America academics and our kids wont be left behind.

''Once the Cheering Stops the Life of a Retired Pro-Athlete'

When athletes retire from sports they are usually done living that high class lifestyle that they were use to. Most retired ones are so far into depth, not paying taxes and also they end up filing for bankrupt. They face a huge amount of challenges by not receiving that large lump some of money they were getting before. These athlete aren't able to manage there money and end up spending money on clothes, cars,  big vacationing that they really don'y have to go on. These are examples of how player just don't have a clue about maintaining their money instead they just blow it. Athletes to me get all this money and just buy thing that they aren't use to and also blow money just to compete with others living that high price lifestyle. I believe if athletes take the time out and learn how to manage their money right and invest in the right things they wouldn't be so broke after they retire. I'm practicing now on saving money and realizing all the materialist things thats out here to buy is not important. In life you have to live and maintain and always be able to provide for your family.