Being from North Carolina, I am a fan of Cam Newton. He is probably the most important football player we have ever had. Not necessarily my favorite player ever, but certainly the one that brought the #Panthers the most relevance. Not just great on the field, he was a steward of the community and mostly a stand up role model. That is why I hated reading about the fight he was involved with at a youth football event last week (https://lnkd.in/gXw2A2PW).
The fight itself though is not really the problem. It is what it represents.
It further underscores the growing toxicity in youth sports culture.
I don't believe participation trophies are teaching the kids the most valuable lessons of being on a team. However, I know that if youth sports continue down the current path, all the great lessons of sport will be lost, and many that would benefit from competition, will never actually participate.
Playing football was one of the best experiences I ever had, and shaped so many of the values I still carry today. I took my lumps, lost organs and broke bones, but I came out with a better understanding of how the world works. I learned how to be on a team, and most importantly I learned about empathy for my teammates and competitors. I believe that sports shape and build character and can be the catalyst for creating great leaders. I don't want to see that lost.
Lightbeam has been exploring removing toxicity from youth sports through storytelling and we're close to the release of the first film in a series called Let Them Play. What is happening that is causing so many children to walk away from the games they love? And how do we get them to come back?
I'm so proud of this project and can’t wait to share the first story! Our characters embodied both sides - a kid struggling to find lost passion for a game that meant so much to him, and the mentor coach that helps him find his way back.
More to come on the premier, so for now please enjoy this great looking poster from our friends at The Robot Eye, Inc.
Shout out to our team: Jesse Scolaro, Dave Stevens, Stephanie Sharis, Spruce Tone, Palmer Morse, Chris Davidson (The Robot Eye)
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