* Right now we have a situation with two team members of the Miami Dolphins that is absolutely ridiculous to believe. There are many sides of the story and it may never get completely figured out or resolved, but we are hearing many words like toughness, bullying, racial slurs etc. etc. etc. Toughness is a word that gets thrown around a lot in youth sports and follows players as far as the professional leagues. Here is my take on what toughness is and what toughness is not.
Toughness IS NOT
1. Playing when you are severally injured and risking future health problems down the road.
2. Refusing to take a drink of water or let your players take a drink of water because they are not doing well or you are angry.
3. Bullying members of other teams or your own teammates to prove you are bigger and badder then they are. These includes both verbal and physical abuse, racial slurs, homophobic slurs, sexist slurs, and hazing.
Toughness IS
1. Playing your hardest and fighting through the pain if you skin your knee or elbow. Listening to your Coach or parents or Dr. if they think you can go back into the game.
2. Hydrating yourself and eating healthy before, during and after the game so you can have your best performance.
3. Being accountable for your actions, listening to your Coach, being respectful to your Coach, and being on time.
4. Being a great teammate! Accepting those who are different and that they are part of your team. Lifting them up instead of putting them down. Rising above picking on lesser teammates.
5. No Bullying, No Homophobic Slurs, No Racial Slurs, No Sexist Slurs.
As I am always saying toughness needs to be redefined, and we need to continue to evolve.
by Stacey Atkinson