Opponent ≠ Enemy

From my earliest days in sport I can recall the attitude, held by many, that opponent = enemy. When competitors are stating the score, I have heard and said, “Good guys up 10-7.” I remember a long-time college and professional football coach saying in very explicit language and without any pang of conscience, “They are the enemy!!” Many of us would join him in such statements. Most of us would have to confess to a less than charitable attitude toward our opponents. Let’s investigate this a little further.

Practically speaking, a competition without a worthy opponent is just a practice. Without an opponent one cannot fully compete. In a very profound sense, we need our opponents just to have real competition. The opponent is a necessary component to the whole process. An opponent is needed and should therefore be respected, whereas an enemy is hated and life is better without them.

An opponent makes a competitor better and the more competent the opponent, the greater the improvement for all concerned. Enemies aim to destroy each other and that only results in harm to both.

A worthy, respectful opponent helps bring out the best in sport for those who play their hearts out. A contentious, ruthless, enemy-oriented attitude only serves to bring out the worst in everyone involved.

Play your heart out with a wise attitude that displays respect for your opponent and you will find such character reflected toward you. Compete foolishly as if opponent = enemy and you will devalue the beauty of sport for yourself, your teammates, your opponents, the officials and the spectators.