tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8727707849242997136.post3485246245343327035..comments2023-10-19T09:08:06.343-07:00Comments on WORDS IN HIGH DEF: Bad Sportsmanship on the RiseDiane Markinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13090334941523457539noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8727707849242997136.post-75805751749667375882009-09-20T19:56:06.929-07:002009-09-20T19:56:06.929-07:00Players and performers need to be held more accoun...Players and performers need to be held more accountable for their actions. They need to learn that just because they're famous or have loads of money and can afford a $10,000 fine, their attitudes and arrogance isn't going to fly. Thankfully, there are parents like you and Doug, who teach their children the importance of being humble and graceful at an early age.<br />I think the answer to this problem of poor sportsmanship is that the world just needs more athletes like Jeffrey Brad Markins. I hear he is such a stud muffin!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8727707849242997136.post-17474987142537870492009-09-20T14:03:47.276-07:002009-09-20T14:03:47.276-07:00As parents, we can do something about this. Many y...As parents, we can do something about this. Many years ago, my son refused to join his team's huddle during a timeout in a basketball game. He wasn't playing well, so he somehow felt exempt from anything having to do with team. After the game, I was direct: "Believe it or not, I have no shame. So if I ever see that again, I will come down out of the stands and demand that you turn in your uniform ON THE SPOT. You don't want to try me on this. You have been warned." From that point forward, he was a sportsman in the best sense of the word. He played throughout high school without a technical foul, never talked trash, and was a graceful winner and gracious loser. He is now playing college basketball.<br /><br />If I had been Serena Williams' father, even at her age, I would have come down out of the stands at the U.S. Open and DEMANDED that she apologize for her behavior. (But he's a nut case himself, so that never had a chance of happening.)<br /><br />Doug CarrollAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com