We often are in search of answers in the wake of heartbreaking events, much like those that have hit our country over the past few weeks.
Many in our country are mourning after the senseless killings of police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, along with the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castle. Anger, fear, sadness and a whirlwind of other emotions are felt all at one time during these times.
Some of us turn to our religion or family members for solace or peace, but there’s another thing that can bring us together — sports.
This year has been a cruel year, let alone the month of July here in Baton Rouge. The problems we face as a country won’t be fixed by just a simple game of football, but it still has a way of bringing our community together.
LSU senior cornerback Tre’Davious White echoed those sentiments during the Southeastern Conference Media Days last week.
“If us as football players and as LSU just come together and stand as one, I feel like the community will get behind us,” White said.
Sports have a weird way of bringing a diverse country together to enjoy life and think about the simpler things. I’m still amazed that over a 100,000 fans all cram together to cheer on their respective teams on Saturday nights in the fall.
We’ve seen football uplift a city before right here in our home state.
One year after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans, the Saints returned to the Superdome, and though the city was still hurting, everyone was able to rally behind their beloved home team.
The win against the Atlanta Falcons that night
symbolized the heart and toughness of a city that doesn’t give up, regardless the circumstances.
Athletes and coaches have a platform almost like no other. When they speak, people listen, and in times like these it’s pivotal that they speak out and use their voice for good.
LSU players and coach Les Miles have been very vocal about giving back to the community. According to the
Associated Press, Miles met with the Baton Rouge Police Department and East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office to express his support for everything that officers do.
In an interview on Sportscenter on Monday, Miles said he knew officer Montrell Jackson, who was killed on Sunday, and talked about his hope for “change” in our country.
“I want to make positive change and it starts first me with and how I see things,” Miles said in a press release. “I want to treat people better, I want to embrace differences and I’m prepared to have a respect for opinion, respect for life obviously, and compassion for people.
Whether it’s football, basketball or any other sport that we’ve all grown to love, the power of sports has a strange way of unifying us.