“There’s no I in TEAM!”
by Faraz Ahmed
We’ve all heard the phrase before: “There’s no I in team.” That phrase is given to the selfish – ball hog member of the team. Not because of their consumption of handling the game in their hands, but its given because they’re becoming their own “team”, within the team itself. There are many things other than actual skill that makes a player important to the team. Attributes that some players posses, and some players lack. Through organized sports, these attributes are amplified or developed in the right setting and in some cases, the wrong environment will lead to catastrophe.
(whatthedoost, n.d.)
As an athlete, you understand what it takes to win. The grind for the moments for you to shine, the off season where you work on yourself to prove yourself, all are embedded into the DNA. Some embedded attributes you posses early are motivation, what achievements you see in the palm of your hands that can attainable; determination, what drives you to become who you are or want to be; and self-confidence, having great assurance about your skill and judgement in situations where your teammates need you the most. These core values are what makes an athlete mentally stronger than the next. Other attributes include having strong communication and team working skills, and having a better overall vision, physically or mentally on or off the court. With all the ingredients of the recipe are present, you can always strive for greatness.
(reddit, n.d.)
What organized sports does to a person, is not only puts them in a situation for themselves to grow, but to grow as a team. The team grows, you grow, and you WITHIN the team grow. There is a fine line of individual talent, individuals talent withing the team, and the overall team talent. There has to be the right balance for all three. Ego’s are stopped at the door, its no more about YOU anymore. It becomes a lifestyle, as there are “teams” everywhere in life. Your family, your co-workers, your peers etc. You represent so much more than yourself and that helps you build character.
(thenewsnigeria, June 2016)
You relate everyday situations to some part of sport that you experienced. You use this knowledge on how to tackle new situations. You have that competitive edge, and the life of sports humbles a person. At one point you can feel you are at the top of the world by winning and achieving your goals, but when you’ve lost, have been injured, or even been fired or demoted, it does not feel good. All your hard work, or the work you have to put in more to recover can feel like a hurdle you can’t jump. But it is possible. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! You go back to the moment of square one, and from there the process starts again. You put in twice the work, and not because it will guarantee your success, but you as an athlete you learn that giving up is never an option.
Lessons in life are similar to the ones on the gridiron, the hardwood or the turf. The basics of one, correspond with the other, and improving attributes in each situation will help the other no matter what.
ORGANIZED SPORTS 