The Definition of Sportsmanship
“Conduct becoming to one participating in a sport as fairness, respect for one’s opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing” is how The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word sportsmanship. The implication of the word typically means how we react positively toward an outcome, but in reality, there are two types of sportsmanship: good sportsmanship and bad sportsmanship. (Kenney) The good type of sportsmanship is the idea that we accept whatever happens to us in the manner of respect. Poor sportsmanship is, obviously, the opposite of that. I will provide an extended definition for the term sportsmanship because it has more than one meaning.
Sportsmanship matters not only in sports, but also in the rest of our everyday lives. In any competition, whether a job interview, a game of pool, or even a friendly game of cards with some friends, sportsmanship teaches you to win humbly and to lose gracefully. You can also use the basis of sportsmanship at school or work. If you are working in a group to finish a project with your
classmates or co-workers, you can easily recognize the value of the contributions made by them. Sportsmanship also helps us to understand each other better. When we get along, we can listen to the other person's point of view and see where they are coming from, and possibly avoid a violent situation. It seems as if almost everyday we see on the news of violence being reported at a sporting event, clear evidence of bad sportsmanship.
Younger athletes usually learn sportsmanship from an older person, like their parents, a sibling, a coach, or, probably the most influential role model of a young athlete, a professional athlete. (Risinger) Unfortunately, many role models now days are planting the idea of gamesmanship, instead of sportsmanship, into the heads of young athletes. Gamesmanship is commonly known as the art of winning games. Pushing the rules to their limits, and using whatever means...