What’s Your Price?

The recent ending of the 2009-2010 college football campaign, and the conclusion of another NFL season, has brought to light the very real reality that loyalty within the sports realm is lackluster at best. Motivated by money, power, prestige, and promotion, virtually everyone—coaches, players, and executives alike—is merely one contract offer away from “selling out.” How can an individual at one moment pay “lip service” to an organization—reaffirm their commitment—then at the next moment turn their back on the team that helped solidify their success?

Now, I recognize that sports are, at any level, first and foremost a business. I understand that. Furthermore, I can appreciate anyone—regardless of vocation—who chooses to take advantage of a lucrative business opportunity when presented with it. I don’t fault that whatsoever. But the issue I struggle with is the ethics, or lack thereof, exemplified and associated with individuals who flip flop in their decision making, seemingly at will. 

Does anyone mean what they say anymore? Shouldn’t your word still be your bond? Matthew 5:37 states, “Simply let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes,’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no,’ anything beyond these is of evil.” If we seek to instill characteristics like truthfulness and honesty into our children, and these same kids see the examples modeled by their favorite sports icons, how can we hope to build any morals and integrity into the next generation if they are not lived out in the present generation of leaders?

In closing, it begs the question: If everyone has a price or sum of money in which they are willing to sacrifice their values and disgrace their name, “what’s your price?”

Editorial