"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.

Sports, Politics and the Olympics

During the summer of the Olympics in Munich, Germany in 1972 the Munich massacre took place. An estimate almost of 11 people were taken into hostage and later on killed from the Israeli Olympic team. Most of the other hostage were captured from the Israeli team and taken into jails by the terrorist organization and these prisoners were demanded to be released. I believe this summer of the Olympic Games reflects back on the sage & eitzen’s the exploration of sport by Politian’s involved. In this case it shows how a huge conflict just like at these games caused a lot of trouble creating fear amongst our people. I deeply disagree with the “Sport is a pure devoid of political interference” simply because I believe that this chaos showed to put an end to a political case like this. This conflict that was brought to the Olympics completely destroyed who we are as people. Our peace in the world and the power of justice.

London Calling" The Globalization of the NFL"

Globalization of the NFL being played would be great but, it will still have various of problems with that idea also. I believe it would be so hard to expand sports all the way across the world because of what people would think about it such as transportation, comfort for players, and even from fans. This idea came upon the public to create a bigger revenue and to basically take over sports.Which I believe it would create as much bigger revenue as it is already getting. Theirs a stadium over in London that fits the requirements but, really would you think it will sellout as many games it would in the U.S? Traveling back in forth will cause a enormous amount of time for the players to play each week with these are some disadvantages specially with the athletes it wouldn't make sense to keep flying back there once a week. I believe to expand sports to London would be great but, their will be a lot of conflicts involved. One game will be fine for a season but, multiple would be to much for the players.

Invention of Baseball

Baseball is one of the most popular and high paying sports in the U.S. Baseball was invented in America in 1845. In was similar to a game called rounders that was brought up in England in the 17th century. They didn't have gloves and they tagged the runners with the live baseball. The sport equipment use to be played with a flat bat. A man by the name of Cartwright change the rule which made it still useful todays sport of baseball currently instead of catching the runner with the ball, now you tag the bases before the runner gets there or if he steal the base. Rules have changed over time adding strikes and balls. The most significant event in the sport of baseball is the first organized game in New Jersey in 1846 and now in modern day the World Series championship thats now different from back in the days. Most challenges my sport faces today is with band drugs. Athletes tend to use them as enhance performance skills and end up paying for it, For example getting suspended and face also end up being all over the media. I always wanted to play organized baseball when I was little growing up but, things didn't work out. Doing my spare time I throw a couple of balls around and playing catch with friends.

Sports in the Ancient World

Ancient Greek games consists of warrior games such as boxing, wresting, foot racing, and also long jumping as shown in the in the clips on youtube. These sports were literally brought up through religious and mythology beliefs. These were festivals religious services, also with music doing this era. These games that were being played often required rules just like sports in modern day now and also they were consequences if the rules were broken or falsely mistake while playing. Men were mostly involved in were the center of sports and were only allowed to join and watch. In fact the only women allowed to watch at this time was Zeus’s sister. These women often had to basically not play sports really. They purpose was really to attract men and to be seen as a sex-symbol so as not be seen as masculine. 

Ancient Rome sports were lead by the Roman leaders and used physical contest and games to basically train soldiers to enhance mass entertainment and spectators. There games consist of chariot races and gladiatorial combat. These sports doing this era were viewed as dangerous and had strict rules.

Sports, Society, & Me

Sports have had a big impact on my life in which I believe shaped me in the person I am today. My family put me and my other brothers in sports to develop teamwork and better communication with others. Sports has been a strong role in my life I can say. It has made me stay focus and made my family more proud of me also. My family are huge sports fans and with me being in college athlete I receive the greatest support from them either when their at home watching the game or cheering here in Boulder to the top of their lungs. I believe sports has made my family come close even through bad times with me playing. I’m so grateful for sports it gives athletics a break to just live and free to do what they love doing. I believe U.S sports has a positive roles on U.S society. It plays a huge role in people lives and changes some always. Every person was born with a competitive edge in them that they just want to showcase through sports or cheering for the athletic they love. Sports sometimes can be looked at as a negative thing to do by people such as critics. Without sports where would most excitement that people have on game days, parties, and bars? Sports develop boys into men, girls into women. The discipline, teamwork, friendships these people are formed into stars and mostly role models for little children that’s always watching. It promotes positives things like that to. Being an athlete has shape me into a better person today. Athletes are very important in the U.S society today. We are highly held accountable to be looked up even when we make mistakes we are in a public eye. We are counted in to set an example for our fans and others even when being scrutinized.

Sports Ethic

According to Hughes and Coakley the whole sports ethic "refers the criteria for defining what it means to be a real athlete" The ethic for having what it takes to be a real athlete has four dimensions that basically sacrifices to play the game. They are,

1. Making sacrifices for the game.
2. Striving for distinction
3. Accepting risks and playing through pain
4. Not accepting no limits in the pursuit of possibilities


Making sacrifices for the game basically is finding every way necessary to win and to be successful. Having team goals everyone values and teamwork to reach success together as one. For example. The second one is striving for distinction means taking game abilities to the next level and being different from the others because you want it just that bad. Completing you performance day in and day out. The third is accepting risks and playing through pain. It means your toughness which relates back to what would you sacrifice? and how far would you go for the game of sports you love? It admires how bad do you love the game. The last one not accepting no limits in the pursuit of possibilities which are your goals also. As a team my football squad has a quote before practice and after even more so game day "Never Give In, Put on More Steam", We refuse to go on that field and not give it our all it would be breaking the code and these are the codes we seem to go after. I Believe athletes refers to theses codes of "sports ethic" simply because of our views and the public what they expect the traits most athletes should follow. By not following these codes athletes are being judge, being criticized of not being the best athlete. When I was younger I seem to obey by these code concepts by striving to be the best. By being a leader and making sure my team was successful. The way I woke up every morning and went to the gym on my own and working on my personal skill. It was shooting the basketball because I knew that was my strength and the key for my team to win. We all wanted to pursue the goal to be great.

Sport(s) in the USA

There are a lot of great sports that are competitive and enjoyable for the people in America. I believe football is at the top as the best sport in the US followed by basketball and the MLB. On television this is the sport that most likely will get the bulk of the view from people all around the world. These 3 sports to me brings mind blowing excitement and a physical competition we all love to see here in America. They all have a great deal of support from their fans who expect a lot out of them. I am a college athlete and game day for my team is highly intense on a Division-1 football level period. Through media, coaches and fans. The environment is pretty crazy with fans tailgating, trash talking back and forth with other fans and on social media gets really pumped up in which is expected by loyal fans. 

This all ties into competing and how bad each team wants that victory more to be successful and even more so building a winning program. This is how the success in the U.S sports is measured by the characteristics and have been this way for years by just the excitement that people have for sports. It is pretty much the joy people get from it even the good or the bad that surrounds it and what players even coaches go through on and off the field.