For every great team, there’s a story behind it. How the team functions, the development of strategies, and the creation of the team’s ethos are all essential and most...
Sports have become an important part of our society. It is the closest thing we have to watching war without it being deathly, for the most part. The schemes, the plays, the tactics all indicate how minds think towards winning and defeating opponents. So, of course this is all governed by a set of rules and what we view as ethically feasible, it teaches us how to respect people on our team but our opponents.
Sportsmanship should be at the top of the list when a definition for being professional in sports, respect, integrity, and excellence are all important parts of professionalism.
So, it was very shocking to me to see Kansas City chiefs, Tight End Travis Kelce shove his Head Coach Andy Reid during the Superbowl opposing the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kelce later qualified his actions as “unacceptable,” his brother Jason Kelce, a Superbowl winner with the Philadelphia Eagles said, “Travis had crossed the line,” (quotes from their podcast) if Travis and his brother had such statements , this means he should be sanctioned by the NFL or by the chiefs, because this sets a precedent of players attacking their coaches. Players obviously know there is a context behind this, and every act is unique based on whether the public or media loves you enough.
He is currently dating pop star Taylor Swift, so it is normal that Travis gets major media love and attention apart from him being a perennial all-pro. Therefore, it is clear we would react differently if it were the 53rd player on the roster or him.
Isn’t that a flawed way of thinking? Professional athletes in the past like Michael Jordan or Tom Brady, both immensely loved or celebrated by a most American media, both sometimes did things off the field of play that would annoy or anger their teammates, opponents or even higher ups. For example, Jordan punched Steve Kerr in 1995 or Brady had words for teammates and coaches. This was glossed over because we like them.
On the other hand, we have players like Antonio Brown and Draymond Green, both athletes had problems with teammates, coaches or even the law. They both made the same mistakes a couple of times but have continued employment in their leagues.
So, defining the idea of professionalism is exceedingly difficult; it’s too subjective. It’s based on who you are and what you bring to the table, if we love you enough, you bring more than just your talent and if you are immensely talented your talent alone can get you out of any hardship.
Consequently, what Travis Kelce did was unacceptable, but since he is loved by many for several reasons, no real punishment will come from this. Professionalism in sports is about who players are and what they you do, so every professional athlete should be wary, respect others and just get as much as possible because at the end of the day, it is a business.
