Dos Santos: This is What The Game is All About
Hugo dos Santos, sports columnist
Issue date: 3/6/06 Section: Sports
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Over the past week, much has been made about the NFL's labor disputes and how the disagreements between players and owners can undo what is currently the most popular and highest grossing sport in the nation.
At times like this, I always think of the greed of sports, of the greed of people in general- how we always want more. I can't fault anyone for that. It's the nature of the beast. It's what we get for trying to make a profit off the things we love. It's what we get for taking a sport and making it into a business.
But there are better stories. Stories that matter more. Stories that certainly should matter more.
Stories that define why we play sports, why we follow sports, why we care.
Two weeks ago, Greece Athena High School senior Jason McElwain got the chance to live his dream. He got to suit up for the school's last home game of the season.
Now this isn't your typical story of the 12th guy on the team sitting at the end of the bench, a la Hollywood. Jason's story runs deeper. To fully understand its impact, you need to know that Jason is autistic. You should also know that Jason didn't speak until he was five, and that he still has some difficulties with social skills.
You should also know that Jason is loved by his peers and classmates, and that after being cut from the junior varsity basketball team during his sophomore year, he decided to stay on board and act as the team's equipment manager. This meant that Jason followed the team to games, often dressed in a shirt and tie. He was still part of the team. Jason was one of the guys.
For the final home game of the season on Senior Night, coach Jimmy Johnson decided to let Jason dress for the game. Jason had worked hard for the team for two years. He had been part of the team, but now, for one game, he'd get to be on the team.
Once word got out that Jason would be on the bench, in uniform for the game, the arena sold out. Completely. There were signs, chants, even cutouts of Jason's face on popsicle sticks. You know what they say, about how it takes a village…
At times like this, I always think of the greed of sports, of the greed of people in general- how we always want more. I can't fault anyone for that. It's the nature of the beast. It's what we get for trying to make a profit off the things we love. It's what we get for taking a sport and making it into a business.
But there are better stories. Stories that matter more. Stories that certainly should matter more.
Stories that define why we play sports, why we follow sports, why we care.
Two weeks ago, Greece Athena High School senior Jason McElwain got the chance to live his dream. He got to suit up for the school's last home game of the season.
Now this isn't your typical story of the 12th guy on the team sitting at the end of the bench, a la Hollywood. Jason's story runs deeper. To fully understand its impact, you need to know that Jason is autistic. You should also know that Jason didn't speak until he was five, and that he still has some difficulties with social skills.
You should also know that Jason is loved by his peers and classmates, and that after being cut from the junior varsity basketball team during his sophomore year, he decided to stay on board and act as the team's equipment manager. This meant that Jason followed the team to games, often dressed in a shirt and tie. He was still part of the team. Jason was one of the guys.
For the final home game of the season on Senior Night, coach Jimmy Johnson decided to let Jason dress for the game. Jason had worked hard for the team for two years. He had been part of the team, but now, for one game, he'd get to be on the team.
Once word got out that Jason would be on the bench, in uniform for the game, the arena sold out. Completely. There were signs, chants, even cutouts of Jason's face on popsicle sticks. You know what they say, about how it takes a village…