Ethics in Sport Paper Example

Question 1: What moral lessons have you learned from participating in sport?

The main moral lesson that one can deduct from participating in sports is the value of fair play. Practicing fair game can enable the player to learn how to execute good play characters during the sporting activities. Similarly, the sportsman also applies the behavior in the community and other aspects of life.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

Respect for others is also an essential ethical behavior that one learns. Participation in games enables an individual to interact with a multicultural universe and as such, learns to respect diversity (Chelladurai&Kerwin, 2017). The scripture also emphasizes on the importance of respect for others (Romans 12:10 New Revised Standard Version). The association with other players who possess unique behaviors makes one acquire harmonious character and a global understanding.

Search for excellence: Competition in sports drives a player to work towards perfection and the realization of specific objectives. The determination to reach a preset level inspires an individual to strive for success in whatever sporting activity they participate (Omar-Fauzee et al., 2012). These sporting behaviors can also motivate an individual in life to formulate regular and healthy assessments during decision making.

Compliance with the rules: Fair play philosophy advocates for a gaming team or individual athletes to strive to achieve excellent performance. The performance, however, needs to be achievable in a manner that obeys the sporting regulations for the game. This practice relates to an individual's life outside sports that also requires performance to achieve objectives in society (Camire,Trudel, & Bernard, 2013). The right inspiration from sports also implies that one has to work for personal progress with the consideration of laws and order that govern the community.

Respect is essential for the peaceful existence of individuals in a society. Players participating in sports have to tolerate and show acceptance to their opponents or teammates (Merkel, 2013). A sportsperson in a team needs to appreciate the strengths of colleagues and also develop tolerance and understanding for the weaknesses of other players within their group or in the opposing sides.

Appropriate sportsmanship requires an individual who exercises honesty and avoids cheating behavior during sporting activities. Competition instigates some athletes to possess cheat behaviors and other wrongful tactics to ensure victory at all costs. However, focusing on participation and not competitive performance enables individuals to develop honesty and avoid cheats (Coakley, 2011). The players can also exercise honesty in life outside sports as a moral example. Honesty enhances dignity in efforts to acquire property or success in academic performance. For instance, a player during the Catholic Youth Apostolate of St. Louis Missouri admitted that the ball hit his arm and not a score to give the referee a bright outlook of the situation. This act is enough evidence of how honesty can also be implicated through sports towards other life scenarios.

Question 2: Do players have any ethical obligations to their sport, their fans, and the media?

Players experience various levels of pressure from the expectations of their team supporters, media, and sponsors. Performance is essential to any team or athletes participating in any sporting activity. However, the gamers have specific moral responsibilities towards society in general. The obligations' is towards their game, their fans, and the media.

The players have a responsibility to participate in sports and perform excellently. However, there is a need to observe the rules of any match they attend. Obedience is a significant element in the society just as the Scripture states "Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray" (Proverbs 10:17 New International Version). The participants should respect the regulations which contribute towards the ethics of the sport. Sportsmanship also requires a player to exercise fair play. It is significant for the players also to share the roles and duties of the team. The players have different responsibilities during a match where some have defensive assignments while others have the scoring mandates. Encouragement is moreover a significant ethical achievement that a player can execute in a team. A player can also enhance positive morals towards a game by respecting the course of the coach and the management of the teams. Communication unites and strengthens a team. Players, therefore, should develop practical communication skills among the team members and the leaders. By avoiding arguments and respecting the opinions of other players, a player contributes to the growth of the ethics of the sport.

Fans expect performance from their teams and winning competitions is likely to enhance loyalty from the fan base. Players, however, have ethical responsibilities towards their spectators. For instance, Yates High school in Houston, Texas beat opponents by a high score of 135 scores, 115 and 99 points. The fans advocated for the resignation of the coach. The actions of the spectators imply that the players, despite excellence in performance, require humility as an ethical obligation towards their fans. Fair winning and effort during match contests gain more recognition from the fans and has more admirers. New York Yankees player Famer Jeter acted t having received an injury. The show of dismay and the disappointment from the fans is an implication that a player has ethical obligations to the fans (Jonson, Lynch, & Adair, 2013).

The media contributes to unethical behaviors among sports people due to its highlighting of victory above other aspects. The media tends to cover more footage and print about the players who win a contest (Duncan-Daston et al., 2012). The players can, however, fulfill their ethical responsibilities by enhancing fair play which can also attract media coverage. The sportsmen who the media puts on its footage need to practice the right morals since young players look to these players for ideas about life.

Question 3: Should coaches be fired for running up the score? What do cases suggest good sporting behavior

There is a tendency of coaches and managers to encourage their athlete to give excellent performances through hard work in the games they participate. The relative goal differences, however, raise moral issues. Humility is an essential ethical characteristic in sports similar to what Jesus encourages individuals to be humble and gentle with love for one another (Ephesians 4:2 New International Version). A team can score to a certain level that assures them of victory in a match which may not necessitate the players to continue increasing the scores. Running up the score implies the lack of humility and manifestation of pride which is unethical. Sportsmanship entails the behavior of giving an opponent the chance to show a challenge (Santana, 2017). Running up the score hampers the presentation of the competitors and as such implying un-gamesmanship. Such illustrations that contradict the majority of moral values may justify the call for the sacking of the coach.

Fair play factor, however, requires an athlete or a player to observe discipline and obey the rules of the game. Running up the score is not unethical under the concept of fair play. Provided the team follows the sports regulations, a coach may be justified to run up the score.

Numerous sports actions suggest god behaviors in the sector. The act of shaking hands with the competitors after a contest is a show of mature and good sportsmanship. Assistance to an opponent during a match is also ethical. Meghan Vogel in an Ohio track helped an opponent, McMath to his feet after falling is an illustration of good games character (Baghurst, 2017). Accepting all decisions of the referees also illustrates good gamesmanship. A player revealing to the referee about having scored with the aid of a hand may be partial disagreement with decisions but acts as a sign of honesty from the players.

Encouraging less skilled colleagues in every effort and progress they make (Eidsvag, 2013). An athlete assisting an opponent who falls near the finish line is an implication of appreciative behavior of the efforts from the competitor to reach a certain stage of the competition. The help is a sign of admission from the sportsman that the fallen challenger deserved to complete the race similar to the other athletes. Congratulating and appreciating the efforts and success of rivals. At the end of a competition, players from opposing teams can shake hands as a sign of recognizing the participation of the groups.

Question 4: How can sports challenge the views of race logic and help transform racial and ethical relations?

Several positive factors can enhance racial and moral equality. Sports can drive people out of poverty especially the African-Americans. The perspective of poverty and crimes about the African-Americans can reverse through the participation in professional sports.

The minority groups have low aspects of self-confidence and self-image. These weak perceptions about themselves can change if the youths from the communities participate and succeed in sporting activities. The engagement in sports is essential since it enables the sports people to earn admiration and honor from their communities and even other individuals who they perceive to belong to superior races (Kanters et al., 2012). Performance would develop the self-image and confidence and as such feel equal to other white communities. Through sports, the individuals from minority incorporate other athletes from majority communities in association memberships and leadership.

Establishment of outreach programs to involve youths from the minority in sports. In the US, tennis, and golf recorded a high number of initiative programs to incorporate young talents from minority groups. Arthur Ashe for instance, established National Junior Tennis League (NJTL) in the 1970s which enabled young individuals in the city to play tennis. Surveys indicate that golf and tennis were major games for rich white Americans (Farrington., 2012). The ambitious projects targeting the less affluent individuals would facilitate improvement in racial and ethical relations. This act was a sign of obedience to the scripture according to Luke 14: 13 (New International Version) which encourages on the importance of sharing and inviting the poor and the less fortunate as a way of receiving blessings.

Governments that support sports opportunities for young talents of all racial origins help promote racial equality. Introduction of sponsorship for certain programs in sports can help minority groups to gain skills and love for games they perceive to be expensive and for the rich white Americans.

There are high chances of integration of individuals from all racial and ethnic settings through participation in sports. Sporting ethics and morals advocates for respect and appreciation of opponents. These ethics would as such athletes of different races would develop a healthy relationship during competition (Jarvie, 2013). For instance, a coach of a white-American dominated college in Pennsylvania initiated match days with institutions with a majority of African-Americans in Virginia and Carolinas. Such visits and competition would improve the social and competitive attitudes of the players across the racial divide.

Surveys also reveal that the minority especially African Americans have less representation in the leadership, positions of sports organizations. Improving on the progress that exists currently by further increasing the number of minorities in leadership roles and other levels can reduce racial disparitie...