On this day traces of patriotism reverberate throughout the land as Americans celebrate a peaceful transition of power. While the focus of ‘change’ lies mostly in the realm of politics, the implications of ‘change’ will be felt throughout culture and society and indeed sports. Sports hold a special place in our world, as what happens in sports reflects and influences the greater on American culture. Look no further than the devotion we have to sports channels and programming.
As our nation swears in President Obama, I cannot help but remember the role sports played (pun intended) in influencing the dreams and hopes realized today. Where would we be if Atlanta Braves’ outfielder Hank Aaron (the original #44) never persevered through death threats and racial hatred in the southern city, “the city too busy to hate,” Atlanta? It may have just been a home run, but it brought people of different strokes closer to a common goal.
I think of Paul “Bear” Bryant at the University of Alabama in 1966, which had arguably the biggest, fastest, strongest, most talented team in the country but failed to make it to the National Championship despite a perfect record. Many people felt since Alabama did not have black players, they were not worthy. Bear stood against the school’s president and Alabama’s Governor. Angry fans had to accept black players if they wanted to return to the championship caliber team they were accustom. In 1970, Sam Cunningham, a fullback, became the first black player at the University of Alabama.
I think of the University of Maryland and Lee Corso who helped bring in Darryl Hill, the South’s first black football player in 1962. Hill broke tackles and the color barrier wherever he went.
The seeds of what have come before echo in the hopes of Barack Obama.
I also think of the future of sports, as ‘change’ will trickle down to the sports realm. Perhaps the BCS will turn into a NCAA National Football Championship preceded by a small tournament? Perhaps we will see a boom in basketball popularity as people follow the lead of the President’s favorite sport? Perhaps retired football players will receive the proper healthcare coverage they need? Perhaps price gauging at sporting events will disappear? My wishes and hopes go on…
The American experience is not about one race of people but a mixture of states, teams, races, cultures, faiths, etc. All sports fans have their dedicated affiliations, but we all come together to celebrate the dream realized today: Buckeyes mixed with Wolverines; Cowboys mixed with Redskins; Red Sox mixed with Yankees. Today we are not just Bulldogs or Braves, but Americans ready for renewal and rebirth.
A change has gonna come, yes it has. God Bless the Bulldogs and God Bless These United States of America
*Views and opinions stated herein do not necessarily reflect those of DSS and it's writers even though no one on this staff dare disagree with me or the wrath of Obama will reign down on their souls.
3 comments. Leave Your Own!:
You can't pen this note and fail to mention Branch Rickey. Rickey signed a guy named Jackie Robinson, not only the first African-American major-leaguer, but arguably the greatest athlete of all-time. Rickey also drafted Roberto Clemente, the first great Hispanic professional baseball player. Baseball was (and I would argue still is) the national past-time, and the exposure of Jackie Robinson was obviously the most important sports-culture milestone with regard to race and equality.
Great addition, Plakat
Nice write up. I agree completely with this article.
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