LET’S HAVE A TALK

It’s time we have a little talk!  In just over a month from now, as a nation, we’ll cast our ballots to decide who we want to lead this great land of ours.  Opinions are flying all over the place.  To say that there’s an angry tone coming from both sides of the aisle, is an understatement.

Can we disagree without being angry?!?

Don’t worry, this isn’t an article about politics or who to vote for.  However, it’s about football, referees, authority, and

RESPONDING WITH RESPECT.

Last night, as I was watching Sunday Night Football, (Baltimore Ravens vs. the New England Patriots), I kept arriving at one conclusion and that is this; we, as a nation, have lost our perspective on authority figures.

Let’s unpack what I’m talking about with a little history lesson.

When I was a child, if my parents said something, they meant it.  We didn’t have time-out.  Time-out meant my parents took “time out” to whip my back side.  We had corporal punishment.  We were taught to respect people in positions of authority.  No matter if it was our first-grade teacher, or the local police officer patrolling the neighborhood.  That also included referees.

I was actively involved with sports from the time I was old enough to understand how to respond to instructions.  If we back talked our coaches, or, God-forbid, the referee, we were going to hear about it when we got home.  It was NOT tolerated….

EVER!

We just didn’t do it.  Last night was a snapshot of what our society has become.  Disrespectful, unruly citizens.  And guess what?  It starts with the coaches.  That’s right!  The leaders.

I watched on while SMH (Yes, I used the term for Shaking My Head).  How can we expect the players to respect people of authority when the people of authority (Coaches) aren’t being respectful?  What will it take for the people of influence to realize they need to not only expect more from their people, but expect more by leading by example?

It’s no wonder that our society has become so blended that young and old, influence and the influenced, authority and subordinate, are in a cloud of confusion.  There’s no distinction between who’s in charge and who’s not.

It’s no wonder the players are screaming at the referees.