Crossing Enemy Lines: First Installment of "Sam's Weekend Thoughts"

***Disclaimer: I’m trying to start a “Weekend Thoughts” series where I discuss something involving service, being a good human, etc. Now I was a Biology and Chemistry major in college so writing is not my strong suit – as you are about to learn so bear with me. Also, if you have anything you think would be interesting or you have feedback, email me at samclements@doorstodream.org. Oh, and I don’t know if I mentioned this, but if you would like to guest write something just for the heck of it, I welcome you with open arms. I hope you enjoy.

With football season now upon us, fan bases are rabid, hungry, and ruthless. It’s them against the world on the road to a region, state, or national championship and they will do anything to see their team hoist the trophy at the end of the year. Now being a wild fan is completely fine, I live and die with my Georgia Bulldogs every single week and have since I was old enough to understand why people in helmets were hitting each other and throwing a ball around. But, it’s a time where that fanaticism can be sometimes taken too far. While you may not cheer, you don’t mind when an opposing player goes down. And you might yell a few things in the stands to the ref or an opposing fan in the heat of the moment, I bet you wouldn’t say it to them on the street on a Wednesday (hand up, been there). On the field, where things are so live and die by the result on the scoreboard, players and coaches may not act their best to be the best in the process. It happens every year when the weather cools a bit and the leaves begin to turn. It’s the mentality of football and sport, and that is ok – I’d argue it’s even human nature when in competition.

And while football and sports in general may bring that out of us, it becomes even more crucial to remember that being a good sport – we can throw in good human too – is an equal part to the game. You hear the coach cliché of “Winning is great, yes, but I want to turn these boys into good men” and although it may be an interview trope at this point, it still is an important aspect of sport.

That’s why I love this photo above. For all of the flack this next “Tik-tok” generation has been getting, the young man above shows what being a good person, and of course a good sport, is all about. Now remember, football is an intense sport where it’s us against them. This player crosses the fence and looks at the guy on the ground as a human and not simply as an opponent. He decides to help him simply because it’s the right thing to do. Isn’t that something? It sure feels more like an anomaly than a trend in today’s world where everyone feels the need to pick a side and stick to it. I think #4 in the yellow and black jersey surely reminds us all of an important lesson. Even in the most competitive and you vs. me environments, whether it be at work, on the field, at protests, driving around, you name it, sometimes it is just the right thing to do to help the other side. To lend a hand when they need it. To cross enemy lines and be selfless for a just a brief second. It could fix a cramp, it could boost a day, or it could heal a heart – you just never know.

Make it a point in the next week to help someone you normally wouldn’t. Use the high school football player as an example and a reminder. Do it why he did it. Not for the recognition, but simply for the fact that it’s right. Cause why not?