Sports and COVID in the Valley, Kneeling and Betts…

There are seven people in the Valley sports scene, who I am aware of, that in recent weeks have gone head to head with COVID-19. One of them sent me a text earlier this week, “I’m ok now but coughing way too much, this thing just lingers, football should not be played, coaches will die. Vaccine will be here by Thanksgiving  and we can play then”. It’s important to share this persons story.Next week he is hoping to be well enough to come on with me. 

A Valley high school football head coach sent over this text last night, “I feel like we are living in a bizarre world, I can’t believe what we are getting ready to do this fall.”  Look, I understand that players want to play and coaches want to coach. That’s what they do. I get that parents will do most anything for their kids, but many people are moving sooooo  fast they aren’t giving much thought to assistant coaches, referees, scorekeepers, etc potentially being put in harms way by the virus. We just lost a swim coach at Chandler high school earlier this week to COVID!!! Remember?!!!!(WTH)  I say “we” because we are all in this together right?  Um, right? Aren’t we? …

I’ve had interesting conversations over the last couple of months with those who still believe that the virus is nothing more than the flu. Essentially to them it isn’t real and will disappear after the election. They refer to their portfolios and politics at some point during the discussion. I have to remind them that people have been sick and died from this virus and they respond with  the “media only focuses on bad things”, which of course as a whole, isn’t true. People want to hear, what THEY want to hear. For the most part, these discussions haven’t gotten heated, but even if they do, it’s good to have conversation. Deep, meaningful dialogue is healthy, however, it’s becoming less and less common practice. Instead we unfriend, block, or simply talk badly about those who don’t have the same beliefs as we do. I’m taking a closer look at myself , my circles, and groups through all of this. 

On the topic of social justice and sports. If you’re one of those who say you aren’t going to watch sports anymore because of kneeling for the anthem, get back to me when the team you love is winning. Chances are better than good that you won’t be in front of the TV until after the first pitch or kickoff, Everyone loves a winner. Look at it this way.

Mookie Betts took a knee for the anthem last night before the Dodgers v Giants game. Cody Bellinger and Max Muncy were standing on either side of Betts, each with a  hand on his shoulder. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who is Black,  stood for the anthem, while Giants manager Gabe Kapler kneeled. Earlier in the night all of the Yankees and Nationals kneeled, while Betts was the only Dodger who took a knee. Betts father served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.  Betts said after the game, “I know my dad served and I’ll never disrespect the flag. But there’s also got to be change in the world. The kneeling has nothing to do with with those who served our country.” At one time in his career, Betts said he would always stand for the anthem, so last night he changed his mind. Do we really have to have a scorecard for who stands and kneels? Do you like the Dodgers now because other than Betts, they all stood for the anthem? Didn’t think so…