Hoop dreams

     Hoop dreams still matters today. As college sports are growing and recruiting practices are questioned everyday, the importance of this documentary has only become more important. Today we hear stories of kids getting recruited as young as 10 or 12, which is way too young. Hoop Dreams is an excellent documentary which followed Author Agee and William Gates through their journey to hopefully gain a scholarship and move onto the NBA. Through their high school careers though, basketball becomes more of a job for them. It becomes a challenge to continue to play the sport they grew to love. William even said when he went to Marquette, that it wouldn't bother him if he stopped playing basketball forever right there and then. 

     This documentary showed us the great pressure these young athletes compete under today. Kids play with the pressure knowing college scouts could be watching them. After the documentary, both athletes went on to college careers, but neither made it to the NBA. William Gates played three seasons at Marquette, with 29 starts. He trained with Michael Jordan and was offered to try out for the Washington Wizards, but injured his foot and never did. Authur Agee transferred from Mineral Area College on scholarship to Arkansas University. He never moved on to the NBA although going D1. He later on launched a Hoop Dreams clothing line and his role models foundation teaching young kids to look to their parent    

Sports in todays culture

In todays culture the impact sports has is tremendous. Sports have broken many barriers and has let many athletes improve society not only for themselves but for the many. Sports have had many political connections. Sports have shaped our culture, pitting own state against another. Sporting events have become major news stories. Sports have broken many barriers from race to even communism. We close entire cities for sporting events (Boston Marathon) and even sports parades. We don't even start school until after labor day because of the golf tournament in town. Sports run our culture in many aspects. Sports will always have a major influence on our culture.

Where in the past sports helped us attack issues such as racism and  communism, today sports help us take on new issues. These issues include gay rights. As major athletes come out as gay, it gives other the confidence to also come out and feel more comfortable. another issue that sports have dealt with is domestic abuse. Recently the NFL joined the Nomore campaign that has featured many popular athletes and big figures associated with the NFL to speak out against domestic abuse. These are only two of the more recent issues that sports have dealt with in a positive way. Although the NFL has help the fight against domestic abuse, some of its players have been the center of these scandals. Sports also sometimes cause kids to idolize the wrong figures. But I believe the many positives outweigh the few negatives.

Sports have also had a major impact on my life. I am proud to call myself an athlete. Sports have helped me express myself and challenge myself. Sports have helped me create many friendships that will last my entire life. Sports have also influence many of the things I do everyday, from what I wear to what music I listen to. Sports have given me many opportunities that I will forever be grateful for. Sports have taught many lessons, one of the most important lessons being how to comeback. How to comeback from defeat, from injury, and succeed. Sports are something Iwill always be grateful for, for the rest of my life.

Pats with the W

The New England Patriots will be Super Bowl XLIX champions this Sunday. This is the first time in super bowl history that the Line is set even. There are a couple key matchup. One being Kam Chancellor and Rob Gronkowski. They are calling this a key matchup. The associated press is calling this matchup that will be the focus point of the Super Bowl. This article calls this an equal matchup, but I think otherwise. I believe though, Gronk will win this matchup, by his sheer size and strength, the only worry of mine is to get him the ball.

 Another factor is deflatgate. Some people are worried that the current "deflatgate" allegations may distract the patriots going into the game. But this will only fuel the Patriots. In the past when this team has faced allegations such as this, it has only fueled them to prove everyone wrong. This Patriots team not only has strength through the few, but has great depth that will help them secure the Super Bowl win.