Winning is the only thing vs. fair play and sportsmanship

Winning vs . Fair Play

Are they incompatible

The personality traits of the winner ' are embedded within each and every American . It is a nation that survived and thrived against heavy odds . That legacy shapes many of the attitudes we have today about winning and losing

The importance of winning has permeated our culture from the business world to professional sports to local youth soccer leagues . The drive to win is necessary both for our survival and for our continued pursuit of excellence . Excellence , in turn , benefits society as a whole . This

is why the drive to win has an important role in our society

A worthy goal for society is to create an atmosphere where the drive to win not only co-exists with fair play and sportsmanship but also works in tandem with them . The reality is that one does not negate the other Winning and fair play /sportsmanship can actually enhance each other . In that sort of environment we all win

Winning

According to Peck It is wrong to regard any other human being as , a priori , as an object or an it (1993 . The early European colonists who came to America recognized this . Eventually , the concept of individual rights was codified into the Constitution . Even though each individual settler was driven to get their piece of the pie , they understood that cooperation would also always be necessary

At the same time there is a reality that each individual must face . Engh writes that Winning is what we all must do throughout life to succeed (2002 . Fair play and consideration for others can 't always be accommodated in the reality of everyday life

Sports are a metaphor for life . The importance placed on winning is just a reflection of society as a whole . Those who win consistently in sports , career and life reap the lion 's share of society 's rewards Since these rewards are not infinite in supply there will always be stiff competition over them . That is the way society is designed . As a nation that design has served us well

Even though most people , if asked , would see sportsmanship , fair play and ethics as good qualities our society sends mixed messages Individualistic , selfish behavior is often rewarded . Athletes and businessmen who cut corners to make it to the top are often portrayed as heroes

Sometimes sportsmanship can actually endanger all those involved . If an athlete in the heat of competition is distracted by thoughts of sportsmanship , injuries can result . As one young athlete put it The football field is no place to think about ethics (Canadian Centres Teaching Peace , 2008 . Ethics come in the rule making process for the game

The game is meant to be won or lost . Vince Lombardi , the successful Green Bay Packers coach of the 1960s once said that Winning isn 't every thing . It 's the only thing . His phrase not only motivated the Packers to excellence it also inspired the American culture . The statement tapped into a feeling that lay...