It Is More Than “Just Sports”

The last few days have made reality what many of us nervously anticipated, fall sports are in peril of delay or out-right cancellation. We told ourselves it was likely to happen. We braced for the news. But when the first reports came in, followed by the official statements it still stung. Some people may roll their eyes at this post. What they need to understand is this is about so much more than just sports.

It is important to start by acknowledging those immediately impacted. The student athletes who have dedicated so much time and effort to their sport. Hours spent training. It was time sacrificed from family and friends. Much of it for an opportunity to play. For some athletes, this may have been an escape from difficult situations where they call home. All in jeopardy because we haven’t successfully contained the virus. We didn’t do enough for them.

There are also the coaches, staff, faculty, security, vendors, custodians, announcers, time keepers, officials, and sports reporters wondering what comes next. Can some of them get by until Spring? Spring play isn’t even a guarantee.

What has frustrated me is how some tend to blow this situation off. Sure, I was a bit somber discussing the reality of fall sports on my KFGO radio show the other day. In response, I had people contact the show telling me to move on, “Tyler, it is just sports!” I understand not everyone cares about sports. However, in this situation, it is more than just sports.

Let’s take any given Saturday where the NDSU Bison are at home. You think those 19,000 fans in the Fargodome all live in Fargo? Wrong. I know of a family that drives five hours one way to get to Fargo. They stock up on groceries to tailgate. Spend money in the Dome. Shop with the kids after the game. Go out to eat. Stay at a hotel. Get up and drive five hours back home. Repeat the next home game. Now think of how many families you know that do something similar.

Sure fans come to cheer at the stadium, but many of them also come to spend a buck or two in a store. All that activity teetering not only for the sport but for the businesses in the area. Take that scenario and pick any sport in any community that hosts these games around the country. We are painfully realizing the economic activity sports bring to our communities.

Now, this isn’t to say I’m all in on the #LetThemPlay movement that is being pushed by some politicians. Does anyone else see the irony that the same politicians who tell athletes to “stick to sports” and avoid politics are attempting to inject politics into sports? Of course, I want all sports back. Who doesn’t want everything back to “normal?” But the health and safety of these athletes and those shaping them into the players they are on the field or court is paramount. Because we haven’t collectively done enough to contain this virus, we’re losing out on the sport and much of what comes with it.

What do I know? I’m not a sports writer. I’m just a fan.