Sports have always played a large role in my life. Starting from childhood our family was split by rivalry - my father was a University of Michigan grad and my mother attended the Ohio State University, and both being huge football fans didn't help. They would separately dress us up, either in all Michigan gear or all OSU gear...it never seemed to end. Sports brought us together, though; Sunday's in our family was like a religious holiday where we met a few other families at the same bar to watch all the games; it was as every Sunday was Super Bowl Sunday.
Besides making my family closer, sports was key in my childhood and developing friends. From an early age my parents signed me up for just about every sport they could; some of my best friends to this day are past teammates. Sports were my ice-breaker, they helped me make friends at a young age. When I reflect back on my life, and look at my connection to sports, it makes me realize how thankful I was to play on so many teams. I feel it has shaped who I am as a person and given me the ability to make friends with all sorts of people.
Just as Sports played a key role in my life, they also play a huge role in society and the world we live in today. I believe sports are nothing but a positive influence in our world. Sure, there is violence, trash talk, fighting, allegations, controversies, and many negative aspects that have come out of sports, but we must remember the positives too. At a young age, we use sports to teach sportsmanship, kindness and teamwork. We shake hands at the end of games, say 'good game', we learn how to be a respectful winner and we learn how to accept losing. Sports give children a drive and an outlet. They provide a safe environment and positive role models for kids everywhere. Eitzen even mentions that parents want to involve their children in sports because it "teaches them the basic values of American Society and builds character".
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