When two teams come together to face off against one another, they are coming with more than pride. They are coming knowing the hours, hard work and dedication that got them to that place in that moment. They know how hard they’ve worked and how hard their team has worked to be there. They also come with a respect for the team they are facing. The opposing players have had their own stories and the blood, sweat and tears that have gotten them there. So they stand on opposite sides of a court or a field, knowing they both worked hard, but only one of them can win. On the other hand, these teams also come with their own fan bases. Fans who come to watch for a variety of reasons, but also with a sense of pride for their team. They come to be the voice that cheers them on and banters with opposing fans in defense of the players they have claimed. They wear their team colors and learn cheers to shout for their team. They may not be on the court, but their spirit is just as strong. While the players have to stay calm, cool and collected, their fans get to be their voice and passion. But what happens when that passion gets too out of hand? Does a team of athletes and coaches have a responsibility for their fans?
This is a question being asked when the University of Nebraska-Lincoln faced the University of Iowa for a men’s basketball game. After Iowa won the game, an Iowa fan made it onto the court during the handshakes between players and held up his phone to record and cause a scene with the Nebraska coach. When the coach swiped the phone away, he ended up hitting an Iowa coach. In a moment that was meant to be a tradition of sportsmanlike conduct, a fan turned the whole scene into a wreck. The Iowa athletics department reached out to apologize and discuss their own security measures that will be reviewed after the incident. The department took the opportunity to acknowledge the situation, and even though their own coach was hit in the process, they were able to take responsibility and re-extend their respect for the other team.
Moments like these, where it may not have been Iowa’s fault, but they chose to extend a hand anyway, are moments that show the true heart of playing the game. Likewise, after the Nebraska coach accidentally hit the Iowa coach, he turned to grab him and explain what just happened. While both schools needed to address the situation, they both turned to one another in respect and with humility. Those actions turned an unfortunate scenario into a reminder of what sports are all about. Rather than claiming it wasn’t really either person’s fault, they both apologized in their own way and sought to make things right, which goes so much farther than denying responsibility. Things happen, but how we respond makes all the difference.
