Sportsmanship isn't dead

There's been so much negative press lately from the economy to drunken drivers to unemployment it's nice to hear about something positive.  Back on February 7th, at a basketball game between Milwaukee Madison and DeKalb, two players (one from each team) helped define the word sportsmanship and gave us something positive to talk about.  You've probably read or heard about the story....one play from Madison showed up at the game just hours after his mother passed away.  His team was assess.essed a technical and DeKalb got two free throws.  The player from DeKalb, Darius McNeal was chosen to shoot the free throws.  Instead of trying to make them, he purposefully missed them.  The two teams were honored last Saturday night at a Bucks' game as the KAPCO Home Court Heroes.

I could not believe this story when I first heard about it.  There are many adults that can learn from this that sports are not always about winning - especially at a high school or grade school level.  Not enough credit has been given to the parents of these two kids along with their coaches and anyone else that has had a part in instilling good sportsmanship in them.  I have the opportunity to watch a lot of grade school sports and it is really frustrating hearing comments from the athletes, coaches and parents about bad calls, substituting, etc....  This is one story that can't get enough press.  Thanks Darius and Johntell for a feel good story in this tough time.