Why Sports Matter Now More Than Ever

As I reflect on the passage of another 9/11 anniversary and ponder our current, complicated societal landscape, I find myself in a place of contemplation and introspection. The ideals that I hold dear - respect, trust, and sincerity – have slowly eroded to an environment in which disrespect, mistrust, and untruths have become acceptable. As a father, this is of particular concern. How can we ensure our children are exposed to the good in humanity? How do we navigate today's stormy waters and make it safely back to the shore of stability and civility? This reflection has caused me to consider my personal relationship with sports, and why I feel the games we play matter now more than ever.

As far back as I can remember, sports have been synonymous with my identity. Through life's ups and downs, sports have served as an unwavering beacon of hope and stability. Teamwork, optimism, and the reality that hard work can indeed pay off are valuable lessons honed on the playing field that I now apply to every aspect of my life. I also see how sports can impact society at large. In an age when social interactions are quickly being replaced by social networks, arenas and stadiums offer a gathering place for fans from all walks of life, setting aside life’s difficulties or personal differences for a few hours of blissful support. Sports foster unity. They connect us. Together as one. 

As a wide-eyed 5-year-old, I moved to this land of hope and opportunity with my parents. We barely made it off of the JFK tarmac in New York before I begged them to take me to Central Park. You see, while living in England I had been introduced to baseball through a softball league my dad played in, and amidst a huge transitional moment I found both familiarity and comfort in a simple game of catch. Sports do that. They create common ground. They provide a sense of familiarity and happiness. Above all, they provide hope.

Throughout my childhood, sports (for me it was baseball) were a constant. This was never more applicable than in the relationship I had with my dad. After my parents separated when I was 6, there were periods of my childhood in which I would see my father once, maybe twice a year due to travel. And yet, whenever he came, we always had a game of catch or an occasional and highly anticipated trip to Shea or Yankee Stadium (and later Candlestick or the Coliseum once we moved to California) to help us reunite. Throughout my childhood, my father staunchly supported my desire to pitch in the big leagues. With the exception of rec softball he never played baseball himself, yet he understood what this dream meant to me and, more importantly, recognized the power baseball had to bring us together. For that I am eternally grateful.  And through countless hours of practice, I came to recognize that he embodied many of the values sports taught me. Family, character, selflessness, and working hard to achieve a goal.

Before my senior year at UC San Diego, he told me he would be travelling to India with my stepmother and young sister to work, pro-bono, on clean water legislation. We said our goodbyes, and he went back to New York to wrap up some business. There was one last case in California that needed his attention, so he boarded United Flight 93 from Newark to San Francisco. That was September 11, 2001. He and 39 other passengers and crew members lost their lives that day when they stood up for what is right, and put others ahead of themselves by confronting evil head-on. 

A week later, when friends finally ventured into his sparsely appointed upstate New York office, they found a hand-written note taped to the wall with a simple phrase - "Fear? Who Cares". Whether or not you believe in fate, he boarded the plane subconsciously prepared to embrace and overcome fear. And guess what - the ability to acknowledge doubt, stand up to fear, and push through adversity are all skills reinforced through sports. In a comforting way, this realization also gave me the tools needed to heal. And I am not alone in this fact – sports have served as a beacon of hope for countless individuals after moments of tragedy. Sports can have a powerful healing effect and remind us that life does go on, that looking ahead is not only warranted but needed, and that together we can overcome any obstacle life places in our path. Sports are a catalyst for hope, and provide lessons of inspiration and triumph. They build character, encourage perseverance, and have the profound ability to showcase the best in all of us.

So as I think about my father and the impact he has had on my relationship with sports, I am thankful that my life has been intertwined with the values I've been exposed to through years of competition. I was introduced to the Golden State Warriors in the aftermath of 9/11, and have been blessed to be a part of this organization for 14 years. I'm part of an environment that champions all that is right about sports. Teamwork, collaboration, and joy. These are not just buzzwords, but are core values this organization exudes. It's why I feel so at home here, and why I have so much faith in the power of sports to impact society at large. Because they have for me. 

My personal experiences leave me with no doubt that sports can be the vehicle of change we so desperately need right now. So I am hopeful that the games we adore can serve as the catalyst needed to refocus the core values our children should embody. We need to embrace each other instead of hide behind avatars. I believe we can use the lessons that sports provide to make this world a better place. For us. For our children. For our future.