Fellowship of Competitors

                 We have been fortunate to take many tours and cruises during our retirement. The travel adventures are both educational and pleasure-filled. You get fed like European Royalty and pampered like an Arab Sheik.

The people you meet are from varied backgrounds and faraway lands. Their history is fascinating and their comradery and conversation a delight. Occasionally, we encounter groups of people from Cities that we see often on television, when they are engaged in mortal combat with athletic teams of ours.

We have chatted with couples from many places like that. There is a curious comradery that evolves with people from these cities, who have well known and much followed Sports Teams. Perhaps it is a shared recognition of the passion for the sport and the individual excellence of the athletic performances of their team’s athletes  that we recognize in the other. During one conversation we all shared a humorous teasing of a Kansas City couple, whose team had just won the Super Bowl. Quarterback John Mahomes performance that year had left all American football fans in awe.

At another time, it might be comments about a talented Hockey Player who had us all abuzz, with the talent and agility displayed. Or maybe a European footballer, Tennis player of golfer has sports fans in awe. You would think in these conversations that there might some acerbity because of  the relationships of cities where a team rivalry is  involved, but there isn’t. Most knowledgeable fans know their sports and recognize talent in others. Even when your team is taking it on the chin, you can respect the prowess of your opposing team and afford them a grudging respect for their ability. It is an experience  like watching the quadrennial Olympics and appreciating the level of athleticism these wonderfully tuned and trained individuals display.

There are numerous instances, in local sporting contests, when a player is hurt. Ordinary citizens, from another city, start taking up collections to enhance their welfare or help the downed player recover. The latest of these incidents of course occurred last week when a young Buffalo Bills Player, Damar Hamlin, had a medical emergency in a game with Cincinnati’s team. The outpouring of support from all of the teams who oppose ours was heartwarming and eye wetting. Bless all of their souls for their generosity of spirit.

So, in future games, when some of those rascal, from another town or country, are getting the better of “your team,” it is okay to grumble a bit about those opposing “bums.” But it is always gracious to recognize those “bums” for the superb athletes that they are and give them a grudging recognition for what they accomplish. Their fans or course are “just like us.” You hope they give your guys the recognition they are due as well. Real sports fans respect and admire athletic ability, wherever they find it. 

Rock on young athletes. May the speed of Mercury and the agility of an acrobat accompany you in all of your future endeavors. And win lose or draw, we respect and admire you for the heart and the tenacity that you bring to sport.

                                                   -30-

                                           (527 words)

                                   Joseph Xavier Martin