Kareem Calls the Shots on Sports This Week
Two stories of bad behavior and one of exceptional inspiration.
For the past few weeks I’ve been doing new video features: “Kareem Calls the Shots on Sports This Week,” “Kareem Calls the Shots on Politics This Week,” and “Kareem Calls the Shots on Entertainment This Week.” As I promised when I started this Substack site, I would focus on the intersection of pop culture, politics, and sports—and how they combine to define our society’s values.
This week I had emergency root canal and am not able to do this segment as a video. Instead, I’m sharing it with you in its original written form, just the way I typed it.
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Parents and coaches have a lot of influence in how our youth will respond to sports. Too many of them do not take this power seriously—nor act responsibly. On the other hand, we have someone whose remarkable achievement will spur others to rise to greatness.
State Representative Tries to Pants High School Referee
When will parents learn how to support rather than embarrass their children at their athletic games?
A high-ranking Tennessee lawmaker was ejected from a high school basketball game after he tried to pull down the referee’s pants in what he later admitted was an attempt to start a fight.
State Representative Jeremy Faison was watching his son’s team from Lakeway Christian Academy play against Providence Academy when he disagreed with the ref’s call over a loose ball scuffle. Faison later apologized profusely—admitting his actions were neither Christian nor mature—which I think was sincere.
If you asked what this politician’s party affiliation is, you missed the point. Rather, this should be another cautionary tale for parents to cheer their children on, but otherwise stay out of their games. If you want to argue with refs, go join your own league.