Why Hate Any Athlete?
Sport. A unifying event that can bring people together no matter their religion, race, or creed. If you’ve ever been to a live sporting event you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say that the energy just feels different there. Words cant really explain it; it’s as if everyone in that arena/stadium/coliseum are all joined by one universal force; passion.
My first run-in with the power of sport was when I was four-years old. That year, the 2004 Euro Cup was being held in Portugal, and my home country, Greece, were severe underdogs in the tournament. At one point in time Vegas sportsbooks had them at 150-1 to win the entire tournament.
Throughout the tournament it seemed destiny was on Greece’s side, as they managed to defeat opponents who were supposed to be superior to us as a soccer club. In the end though, hard work and passion, Greece prevailed as the Kings of Europe, and captured the Euro Cup. I distinctly remember the moment the final whistle blew, signaling Greece had won the tournament. Pandemonium filled the streets surrounding my grandparents house as Greek people rolled in from all different parts of the city just to celebrate.
That was the first memory I have witnessing the ability sport has to unify people, as that day many strangers became best-friends. Sport is a funny thing, as it houses the potential to undertake our lives and become the sole purpose we have on this earth. That seems to be the case for many professional athletes, who dedicate their lives to training and delivering a product we, the fans, will enjoy to watch.
No one has done that better than Tom Brady, seven-time Super Bowl winner and the quarterback of our beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If it wasn’t for the media constantly bringing it up, perhaps we would forget that Tom Brady is 44 years old, and playing in a league where most NFL quarterbacks are in their sixth season of being an NBC analyst at that age.
When Brady finally decided to leave the New England Patriots, many people said he wouldn’t be successful on a new team because he was carried by the coaching of Bill Belichick. Well, it’s safe to say we can put that theory to rest, as Brady delivered a Super Bowl to the Buccaneers in only his first season manning the quarterback position for them.
Most recently Brady was boo’ed at Peyton Manning’s Hall of Fame Enshrinement, signaling that the G.O.A.T of American Football is still a man that fans love to hate. With all Brady has brought to the game, it’s about time we stop hating, and start appreciating all he’s done. Heck, make that a rule for every athlete who’s going out there and giving it his all on a nightly basis.
As fans we sometimes forget just how hard it is to make it to the professional levels of sport. If we knew exactly what it took, we would probably be changing our tune on many of our criticisms. It’s time to stop hating and start appreciating.