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Tweet Nothings: Sports Parenting At Its Worst
- July 11, 2012
- on 7/11/2012
- MoJo: Jennifer Gerlock
It is one of the most disgusting videos I have ever seen.
I’m almost speechless.
It is youth sports parents at their worst and I am ashamed to be in the same category as them.
The story: Immediately following a playoff game between Northern Little League and Harris County Little League in Georgia, a fight broke out involving a number of parents. The confrontation in question escalated to such a degree that police were required to intervene in order to separate the crowd. Two fathers were taken off in handcuffs and charged with disorderly conduct.
The fight began as the tournament’s host was about to hand out trophies celebrating the success of their young players.
All of the children involved in that game were present to witness the melee.
On the video, seen below, one can distinctly hear the voices of the kids pleading with their parents to stop. You can also hear others in the crowd yelling “there are kids out here, kids are watching.”
Yes there were. And yes, they watched. They yelled and they cried.
And they learned.
It was an even any self-respecting parent wouldn’t want their child witness to. And yet, in the heat of competition, these parents managed to negate every lesson in sportsmanship ever taught to their children, not to mention ruin the experience of the boys who dedicated so much time all season to the sport they dearly loved.
Tragic.
As a fairly seasoned soccer mom, I’ve experienced some youth sports drama in my life both on and off of the field. Parents gossiping in hushed tones about other children’s abilities or lack thereof. Confrontation on and off of the field between players, coaches, referees and spectators. I’ve even watched as my own husband walked a referee safely to his car after a tense game fearing for the man’s safety. The game in question was between 10 year olds.
10 year olds!
But none to the degree that is this video.
I’m truly shocked and saddened by the actions of the parents involved in the altercation.
I just hope the children take home the right lesson.
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