Are Athletes Brainwashed!

We are seeing sports athletes, teams, and leagues take a stance against racism. But for some, the message is not being well-received, and amongst the fans that are not pleased, their view may be politely summed up as "just shut up and play."

So with so many teams and athletes from across the world taking a stance, who is out of step? Are the athletes brainwashed, toeing the line, or are they, the upset fans missing the point? Searching for this answer, I came across JJ Watts, a white NFL player in Texas who, in an interview, provided a powerful insight as to why the divide may exist. 

Let me take you back to the Texan's v Chiefs NFL (US Football) game Sept 10, 2020, and the "Moment of Unity." If you missed it, or are not an NFL fan, both teams came together on the field, and all the players linked arms in a Moment of Unity. 

Some people booed.

I am not interested in why people booed, but I am interested in what JJ Watts said. First, he sets the scene;

"The moment of unity I personally thought was good," the star defensive end told reporters after the game. "I mean the booing during that moment was unfortunate. I don't fully understand that. There was no flag involved. There was nothing involved other than two teams coming together to show unity." 

And from that came the insight I mentioned, the one that struck me.

"A locker room is a very diverse place," Watt said. "There's people from all different backgrounds, there's people from all different situations. I've been very fortunate to be a part of a lot of locker rooms throughout my life. In this locker room, we've had more conversations than we've ever had about topics that may be uncomfortable to talk about. Maybe people have never opened up these conversations."

"Maybe people have never opened up these conversations", think about that. 

When we view what is happening from a political perspective, we start with a pre-decided position. We judge what people say or do from that position, often missing the real point altogether. 

But if we stop and listen, with respect, maybe we will hear something that changes our views, lives, and the world for the better—what a radical thought, haha, listening. 

And listening starts with meeting and talking to diverse people. Talking to people in your bubble, people that agree with you only serves to reinforce your opinion; you have to stretch. 

For many athletes, playing in teams or competitions that are diverse means they get to know others, often without race and political barriers coming between them. As the respect they have for each other as athletes is greater than that, team sports can even be more powerful as players have to become dependent on each other to work as teams. As a business person, I know you can not create great teams when your team members are divided; unity is the key. 

So what struck me was sport has the power more than almost anything else to strip us of our divides and to gain the respect to just listen to others. And to listen from a place of respect. That does not mean you will agree on all things, but it does mean you will grow as a person as you open yourself up to growth. 

The challenge for society is we mix in relatively small social groups, as research shows the average person has less than ten friends.

And I hear you say, l have black/white, straight/gay, Muslim/Christian friends, and I am sure you do. But how often do we stop and really listen? And how diverse is your social circle really? Is the gay/straight, black/white, Christian/Muslim friend in the minority in your group, so do they conform to the group and therefore are not really heard. 

Black Lives Matters has made many team athletes face the issue personally. As JJ Watts said, they have "more conversations than we've ever had about topics that may be uncomfortable to talk about" The result; it has united the athletes. 

Our challenge as humans is to have conversations and listen, not convince others of our ideas, just listen. This is not left vs. right, (which I think is an outdated way of thinking that only serves to divide people and rob the world of common sense, creative thinking and real solutions - but that is for another rant) as the left needs to listen as much as the right.

My only rule I suggest to protect your sanity is when the hate speech starts that the sign to leave, quickly, as listening or reading hate speech burns your soul. But otherwise, try being all ears. And if you cannot meet people for whatever reason, read, read people's views that you wouldn't usually read - that can be as, if not more powerful, as we don't try to talk over books. 

Thanks, JJ Watts. I certainly do not think you are brainwashed!

United by Sports.