Impact of Sports

Whenever I am asked the question of why I love sports so much, I am flooded with an array of different emotions. Some of the happiest and saddest moments of my life have come from my love affair with sports. The affair started at a young age growing up in a small town in New England and continues on now while living 3000 miles away in Los Angeles. I have memories of sitting on my grandfather’s lap watching Red Sox games. He spoke to me about the game, even though I was only five or six at the time, I didn’t understand the game yet, but the memory is still fresh in my mind. Holidays at my house were full of the aroma of my Italian grandmother’s gravy, loud voices, laughter and the occasional argument. In the background, the TV was always tuned to a sporting event of some kind, usually football. The guys would be gathered around the TV, while the ladies would be yapping it up in the kitchen. I always made my way back and forth, intrigued by what was playing on the TV, but lured back to the kitchen by my grandmother’s tremendous cooking. My grandfather died in 1988, taken from us way to soon. He never got to see my love of sports grow, however, I will be forever thankful to him for introducing me to baseball. I often still envision what it would have been like going to a baseball game with him, although he wouldn’t have been overjoyed about my allegiance to the Yankees. I laugh to myself sometimes imagining the debates we would have had, maybe even a friendly wager.

Through the years, no matter what events occurred in my life, sports have always been a constant to me. I have shed tears, felt immense joy as well as poignant memories. I have used sports as a distraction, something to focus on, learn more about and understand. I can recall memories vividly; like where I was when the Patriots defeated the favored St. Louis Rams to win the 2001 Superbowl that forever change a franchise. I recall standing on a booth at a local watering hole near the old Patriots training camp shouting to everyone to rally and keep the faith when the fear and disappointment that New England fans had come to know came flooding back.

I remember the feeling I had walking into Yankee Stadium for the first time in 2001, shortly after 9/11, when emotions were raw from the worst terror attack to ever hit US soil. The intensity in that stadium was palpable. There were tears and an air of desperation in the ballpark that night. I prayed for the ghost of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig or Mickey Mantle to lend the Yankees a little help steering them to victory. Truth be told, I don’t think the Yankees needed aid from the legends of the past that night, they were too busy penning their legacy. In true Yankee fashion, the Yankees rallied for a comeback win and the best closer of all time strolled onto the field to ‘Enter Sandman’ and closed out the ALDS, giving the fans of NY a distraction, a feeling of hope, a reason to smile..even if just for a moment.

Nothing else has the ability to unite complete strangers from all walks of life, bring them together and forge common ground. In fact, watching sports has even been known to boost brain activity. According to a 2008 study from the University of Chicago, watching sports improves language skills when it comes to discussing their sport, because the part of the brain that is used when playing sports is instead being used to understand sports language. Discussing and debating sports is a fabulous way to be social, interact with new people and understand different fan bases. Nothing gets me more passionate and riled up then an intelligent sports debate. Those that know me well can contest to that simple fact.

I work for a foundation called ‘Keep On Playing’, founded by my dear friend Marnie Schneider. It was established with the goal of helping children, encouraging children from all walks of life to get more actively involved with sports. The impact that sports have on children is immeasurable. Sports can instill confidence, help develop social skills, teach discipline, build meaningful relationships and keep children healthy. We have noticed a significant drop off of baseball exposure in lower income neighborhoods. Studies have shown what most of us already suspected, the main culprit is money. In higher income areas, anyone with noticeable talent is steered toward more independent leagues, leagues that cost money and often involve travel. We wish to do our part in changing that. Every child, no matter where they grow up and what their economic situation is, should be allowed the same opportunities.

Growing up, I was blessed enough to have been given many opportunities. I played basketball, took dance lessons, acting classes, tried track and field (unsuccessfully I may add), and even dabbled in cheerleading. I have not pursued any of these on a higher level, but have learned a little something from each experience. Now, instead of playing, I watch. I am grateful of how large of a place sports has in my life. I have no doubt that my love affair with sports has helped shape me into the person I am today as well as continue to inspire me for years to come.