We go to them for entertainment in the fall or use them for a coping mechanism to get through rough situations in life, but they are much more than that.
Beneath the shoulder pads, helmets and jerseys or whatever entity they belong to in sports, collegiate athletes are people too.
They have thoughts, emotions, dreams, feelings and concerns about the world they live in. Football is deeper than X’s and O’s, touchdowns and tackles, and the pride and emotion of games.
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In fact, those things are merely the surface.
Above all else, the sport promotes togetherness and unity for each other — regardless of age, race and socioeconomic background. In a society that’s become full of confusion, chaos, fear, frustration and negativity, the University of Alabama football program reminded us on Monday on what it means to be united.
During its peaceful march for racial equality from the Mal Moore Athletic Complex to Foster Auditorium, players of different races and backgrounds locked hands and stood together.
Whether they agreed with the cause or not, it does not matter.
Personal preferences were put to the side out of love and support for one another. For something that many people felt strongly about, Alabama football walked as one unit — displaying the ultimate unity we love to see in a team.
DeVonta Smith, a senior at wide receiver, held a poster that read: “Stand for something or fall for anything.”
An up close shot of Alabama WR DeVonta Smith holding a sign that reads: “Stand for something or fall for anything.”@TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/UBJqrf1d2M
— Stephen M. Smith (@CoachingMSmith) August 31, 2020
In the march, Alabama players stood for each other.
Once again, athletes have been called upon to teach us we are stronger together than divided.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
