HorseShoe289
Not sure which individuals I should address this to, so I will send it to all participants at the AAU JO Qualifier at Hayes last Saturday:
Thanks. You boys made my day. Here's why: My custodian came up to me yesterday, pulled me into the hallway after class, to let me know how impressed she was with the manners of "all the wrestlers" she encountered on Saturday. She mentioned how she really recognizes something special within the wrestling community. She made special note to how the wrestlers referred to her politely as "mam", how friendly they were to her, and how they spoke to her with eye contact (something, she said, "many young people today" don't understand how to do). She asked about what type of tournament it was because she didn't witness any guys "cussin'" and "cryin'" in the hallways after a loss. They were in "much better control of themselves", she said.
Now, boys, feel free to ask your coaches about what custodians usually come up to us and say a day or two after a home tournament. I'll wager it is rarely compliments of this sort.
It got me to thinking...in a day and age where we see athletes...elite athletes...badmouth their teammates or officiating after a loss...when we see guys refuse to stand like a man in defeat on the #2 spot on the podium, or, better yet, when we see a guy, on camera, throw his second place medal away...when we hear of bullying...when we witness athletes with elitist mentalities...when we hear daily of some asinine comment an athlete Tweeted...when we hear and see all of that stuff, I felt some pride with the sort of athletes and young men that would cause a custodian to come up to me to share something like that. I had to share it with you.
Nice work, men. Win or loss, that's how winners behave.
Yes!!! This is what I'm talking about.