College Sports, High School Sports, J.R. Tidwell, Sports, Sports Columnists, University of North Alabama
 By  J.R. Tidwell Published 
5:58 am Saturday, April 21, 2012

Never take sports too seriously

I have been covering sports in one way or another for about six years now. I am no stranger to press boxes, sidelines and perimeter fences.

One of the more distasteful parts of the job is the inevitable task of putting up with belligerent fans, and in one case a belligerent reporter.

I had the displeasure of sitting beside the reporter in question at a UNA football game two seasons ago.

He was a little loud and somewhat obnoxious throughout the game, but he broke several rules when it comes to the world of sports journalism etiquette.

He showed favoritism towards his team throughout the game, which is only natural given he was tied to the school. However, every major football press box will undoubtedly have signs posted that say “do not cheer in the press box, this area is designated for working media.”

This is an unwritten rule of sports journalism anyway. Unfortunately for this guy, it gets worse.

He swore on a regular basis, at least almost under his breath, but he justified an obvious late hit on UNA’s quarterback Lee Chapple by saying, and I quote, “if you don’t want him to get hurt, take him out.”

That guy obviously had no earthly idea what player safety and sportsmanship are about, because only a person lacking in cerebral faculties would ever justify a blatant cheap shot.

I was forced to bare witness to such another event a few days ago. I’m not naming names or teams, but anyone who was a part of this event reading this will know what I’m talking about.

An umpire at a softball game made a confusing call that had both coaches coming out for a conference. During the break in the action fans on both sides put in a few opinions about what the call should have been, in their opinion, which is inevitable really.

One of the coaches asked the fans on his or her side to calm down because the “opinions” were getting louder. A fan for the other team, for no apparent reason, took offense to what the coach had directed towards only his or her side.

Words were exchanged, and the conversation got more than a bit heated before order was restored.

People who watch sporting events from little league through high school seem to forget one important thing: it’s a game. No matter who wins or loses, players are there to have fun. Scores should be kept, but at the end of the day it’s a young person’s game played for enjoyment.

Never lose sight of that fact. Sports should never be taken too seriously, or else the reason that people play them in the first place is all but forgotten.

 

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025