You know those screaming, wild, ridiculous parents that
shout at kid’s sports games? That’s my family. I used to think it took a special
kind of adult to go ape at children’s events but now that special kind of adult
stares back at me in the mirror. In fact, it’s actually very easy to be the person
that yells, “block him, block him, go get your ball,” like we did yesterday at
my nephew Enrique’s championship basketball game. AKA the game of all games.
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There were issues before the boys even began playing. Their
main coach and his son (one of the stand out players) got in a car accident on
their way to the gym and weren’t able to make it. The game went on as scheduled
and the two teams battled it out for 40 nail biting minutes of neck and neck baskets,
Enrique’s team with the lead the entire time. Moms, dads, aunts, uncles,
grandparents, and friends were all on the edge of their seats when the teams
tied scores in the last minute of the game. 2 minutes of overtime were added to
the board and in the final thirty seconds, a foul was called and the opposing
team made the game-winning free throw shot. Just like that, it was all over.
But my nephew is die-hard. He played every second of the 42
minute game and having made it so far only to lose the championship title by 1
point in overtime, he cried because “his hand hurt.” But I knew better, even I
wanted to cry! But again, I knew better. His team may have lost but they’re
still winners. Enrique didn’t get the title he wanted so badly but his dedication
and focus to basketball earned him a lot of respect, and no one can fight to
take that away.
So the next time you see those wild and loud people screaming
at a 10 year old’s sports game, know that we’re not fanatical ballers. We’re
into the game because the kids are into the game. It’s the kids’ commitment that
brings us to our knees and is the root of our enthusiasm. Our cheers are merely
a reflection of the hard work we’ve seen when the clock isn’t running, when the
bleachers aren’t down, and when no one’s tracking points. Because win or lose,
it’s so much more than just a game.