Wisdom and Games

The weather out here got too hot for a few days but has since retreated into a more pleasant spring season. That may seem to be a mundane observation to start a conversation with, but one thing I noticed years ago that was the best topic to open with was the weather.

Like millions of others, I’ve been watching the college basketball tournaments and rooting, naturally, for my alma mater teams from Michigan. So far, both the men’s and the women’s teams have advanced to the sweet-16-round, which are accomplishments of note.

The men’s team is big, strong, fast and skilled and the women’s team is young, connected, talented and aggressive, and both squads have mowed down their early opponents in impressive fashion.

People all over have their own favorites, of course, which is as it should be. Although I’m a fan, I’m not a partisan. By that I mean I don’t hate the players on the opposing teams; I just hope Michigan wins.

Too often in sports, starting at the level of games between little kids, parents, fans and partisans take their fandom too seriously, denigrating opponents, shouting epithets at them, and cheering their demise.

I get it — these loyalties run deep — including in me, but the older I get I just believe in showing a measure of respect for your opponent and grace in victory or defeat.

After all, when two teams clash, only one can win. Losing feels bad, and for that, we all need to remember to have compassion.

(Except, of course, for Ohio State. Go blue!)

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