In talking about some of the racial challenges in Cleveland LeBron James recognized some of the opportunities that sports provide. He said:
“Sports in general, no matter what city it is, something that’s going through a city that’s very dramatic, traumatizing or anything of that case, I think sports is one of the biggest healers in helping a city out,” James said.
“Sports just does something to people, either if you’re a player, if you’re a fan, if you just have something that has anything to do with that city, you just feel a certain way about rooting for a team that you love that can get your mind off some of the hardships that may be going on throughout your life or in that particular time period. It just does that.”
The Code begins with “Because I am a role model and have the opportunity and responsibility to make a difference in the lives of others I commit to this Code.”
We may not often think of it, but a five year old playing soccer can bring joy to an aging grandparent, a high school game can be the one thing that brings a small rural town together on a regular basis, or Nelson Mandela can use a rugby team to unify his nation. What are other examples you can think of where sports have made a difference in your life or in others’?
