Athletes are human too

I had someone ask me this past week "isn't it a double standard that athletes want to remind fans to be nice to them but then they want to go and make thousands of dollars in NIL and be in the spotlights with tons of eyes and media coverage on them? Shouldn't they expect to get some hate comments here and there if they are trying to get all of this attention on their sport?”. I stopped them in their tracks to tell them that this is a WAY bigger issue than a few hate comments under a team post about the athletes performance. 

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Too many fans see athletes as way too accessible. Fans forget that these college athletes are generally 18-24 years old and not only playing a sport at a very high level but also getting an education and trying to balance having a life as well. People sitting on their couch watching from home seem to have a lot to say about the way an athlete plays when they generally have no idea what they are talking about. Although this may be quite rude this isn't the real issue for an athlete. Yes- we see it all and it stings a little, but we have grown up taking criticism on our play. Although these fans probably don't know what they are talking about as athletes we know this and take it for what it's worth… probably nothing. So when athletes remind fans that they are human too they aren't talking about hate comments on their play (although most of you keyboard warriors need to put your phones down). 

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What the athletes are talking about and what actually hurts someone is the name calling, the threats, the personal attacks on these HUMAN athletes. I have seen more posts this NCAA volleyball season from athletes having to remind fans that they are human too and just like the people watching, they also make mistakes. These athletes are telling the fans to stop making these heinous threats to their lives. At the end of the day it is all just a game and some fans need to remember that. These young women are not trying to make mistakes on the court, but if they do, they don't need you sending them messages demeaning their life and telling them they are worthless. The athletes are strong, but they are balancing a lot mentally and when fans send them personal messages threatening and attacking them it seriously is not helpful and in fact it's really hurtful. 

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So to this person who asked me about the double standard and told me they thought more eyes should bring more hate, I say this: no human being deserves to be told they are worthless and not worthy to live because of a performance on the court. These athletes work their ass off day in and day out to improve their craft so that YOU can sit on your couch and watch some damn good volleyball. Next time you want to hop on social media to threaten a volleyball player, think twice and consider if you'd ever say that to someone's face. Then put your phone down and remember, athletes are human too.

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