king james needs some gp

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

This is why I do not like the word GP anymore.

The words, Gracious Professionalism, are one thing. The actions that reflect GP are another. The fans (many of whom post incessantly in social networks in rude ugly ways), reflect the actions as much as the athletes. Sportsmanship is another word that brings more meaning when watching it in action, either as good sportsmanship or poor sportsmanship. Athletes and fans are familiar with both of those and are very capable of reflecting the latter when things don't go their way.

Just as it is becoming evident in FRC, the Championship level, and getting to the level of competing on Einstein, holds very high stakes for the teams involved - so it has been in our current society for the professional and amateur athletes and teams for many years. The fishbowl that society watches and judges them in and through, is mighty and the glare of it holds ugliness, disrespect, bias, and poor sportsmanlike behavior.

That is a part of a culture change I would love to see. Removing the glare and weakening the strength of the fishbowl, esp. in areas of judgement and criticism. Athletes, as members of this society, are accountable for their actions and are responsible for them and they have to answer to their coaches, their team, their managers, and possibly their owners. Some would say they have to answer to their fans but, perhaps their fans have to answer to them as well.