Sports Ethic

According to Hughes and Coakley the sports ethic is "the criteria for defining what it means to be a real athlete" (1991). Within this concept there are four different dimensions that one adheres to in order to truly be seen as a real athlete. These four dimensions are 1) being an athlete involves making sacrifices for the game, 2) being an athlete involves striving for distinction, 3)  you accept risks and play through the game,  and 4) involves refusing to accept limits in the pursuit of possibilities (Hughes & Coakley 1991). Athletes will go out of their way to conform to these dimensions because they are what we as a culture have decided separates real athletes from non-athletes who are not taken as seriously. When one is working extremely hard to become the best they can at a particular sport, conforming to these beliefs is one of the only ways they gain respect and success as being an athlete. As a soccer player I have experienced moments in most of these dimensions. Playing on a competitive team you have to make sacrifices like not being able to go out with friends or do what everyone else is because you have an early game and need to perform well. Also, when only enough players show up to a game to have enough for the field you continue through the whole game regardless of any pain in order to not let your team down.