News

IHSAA Student-Athlete Tip of the Week (1/9/23)

"Promoting Education Based Athletics in Indiana"

There are moments and plays in sports that you never forget.  One of those occurred last Monday night during the Buffalo Bills/Cincinnati Bengals game.  Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills suffered cardiac arrest after a tackle.  By now, everyone has heard his story and how he is overcoming this injury.  

What did we learn from this near tragedy?  First and foremost, the doctors and trainers on the field and their quick action saved his life.  Secondly, I hope we learned that sports have a way of uniting people in a way that is seldom seen.

The other NFL teams, owners and players rallied in support of Damar, as did their fans across the country.  His foundation has raised millions of dollars as caring individuals contributed as a way of showing their support.  Whether you are a football fan or not, you likely said a prayer or were hoping for the best outcome for this young man.

Although Damar's first question was "Did we win the game?" it is obvious from this experience that even more important than winning is playing in a safe, healthy manner.  Be thankful for the trainers and athletic doctors who support your sport at your school.  

I hope we can all learn from this valuable lesson and remember that our competitions are merely a game--and outside of our sport, let's all work a little harder to be kind, caring and supportive of each other.  This past week showed us that we can do it!

All content property of Billy Shepherd Sports