As an athlete, one of my biggest pet peeves is when other athletes–from any sport or grade–make their sport their personality trait. I am not talking about the people that have their lives revolving around sports. This is directed to the group of athletes who make everyone else around them suffer due to their performance in their respective sport.

I full-heartedly admire athletes who devote their lives to sports and keep their emotions to themselves. That type of commitment is socially acceptable by everyone and no one has an issue with it. The only time where I find myself–and even others–frustrated with athletes is when they take their commitment to their sport too far.

The most extreme way of taking it too far is emotionally. As an athlete myself, I know the pain and sadness that comes from losing a game–especially if it was an important game such as a rivalry game, championship, or a game with a significance behind it. Being sad over it is okay. What is not acceptable is to come into school the next day and make that loss your personality trait. What I mean by that is making all of their conversations about that game. Trying to make other people feel your suffering and feel sorry for you is a no.

Good sportsmanship is overlooked nowadays. One athlete who displays sportsmanship like no other is my good friend, Jonas VanderWoude. This past winter season, he was on the boys varsity basketball team. He transferred from Grand Rapids Christian High School last year and has been playing for FHC the past two seasons. During this past season, he had a game against his former school. This game had the utmost significance to him, and he had a burning desire to win. As Jonas is humble, he kept this to himself. Unfortunately, FHC lost that game and Jonas was understandably devastated. He of course congratulated his former teammates, but a loss is a loss and he was extremely dejected. Although he was unhappy and mellow, he did not let that show to anyone. He did not make anyone around him purposely feel bad for him. Jonas is the prime example of a humble athlete with unparalleled sportsmanship.

There are athletes, such as Jonas, that utilize their respective sports in a positive way. Others, not so much. So, if you catch yourself making your sport the only thing you talk about in a toxic way, try to flip that into a more positive discussion. Doing so will save yourself and everyone around you the suffering. Above all, do not make your sport your only personality trait. Not everyone wants to listen to complainers; they want positivity.