SPORTSMANSHIP: A football player was severely injured during the Poly versus King game, causing both sides to display their true colors.
By Himadri Ratnayake, Staff Writer
Over the years, Riverside Poly High School and Martin Luther King High School have developed a unique rivalry in all aspects of student life, from football games to academic events. This was blatantly clear after viewing the annual Poly versus King football game. Throughout the game insults were thrown on both sides, but later in the game, the verbal abuse escalated after the sudden injury to one of Poly’s football players. Both teams reacted differently, showing what can happen when “team spirit” is taken too far.
Though King jumped out to an early lead after a slow Poly start, the Bears managed to claw their way back, eventually tying the game. However, in the last quarter, Poly receiver Donjae Owens (12) went down on the field with an apparent neck injury. According to rumors, he suffered from a neck fracture, though it was later confirmed to be a cervical strain. On the field however, it was something to discuss, and for about 40 minutes, the game clock stopped. Typically, when a football player is injured, both football teams and cheering sections are supposed to be quiet and kneel. King’s football team and fan section did not do this, angering many Poly students. “I thought it was disrespectful how King was cheering once Owens got hurt, and I think it could have been handled better and differently,” expressed Ashley Lawson (12). Another Poly student, Kaliki O’Dell (11) described her displeasure over King’s actions, declaring that, “King was really rude until Owens left, and I did not like how every time one of our players got hurt they would chant ‘Whose house, our house.’”
However, when King students were asked about the actions of their fan section, they argued that the perceived reaction was much different than what actually happened. Zach Hackbarth (12), a King student said, “I felt that most of the Red Zone was respectful and stayed classy. Whenever things were about to get out of hand, our ASB was quick to shut down negative comments. I heard some negative things out of both sides, but I believe both schools were respectful towards one another and enjoyed a great game.” After the game ended, there was a video on Snapchat, a social media app, from a King student displaying the injured Owens. The caption on the video read, “[This is] what happens when you challenge King.” In response to the video, Hackbarth was quick to denounce the footage: “I feel like that was unsportsmanlike and not right. It was not right and we are praying that he will be alright,” Hackbarth said.
It was definitely rude to comment and mock each other while a football player was down with a severe injury. When it comes to behavior in athletic competition, both athletes and spectators alike should show respect towards one another. Both athletes and spectators serve as role models for the youth of society, and showing good sportsmanship does not just make them look good, but also makes them excellent role models. Don’t get me wrong; I get it. When it comes to sports, especially football, people tend to get wild and crazy in the stands. They become too invested in the game and get carried away in the competition. This truth, however, is not a crutch to justify such rude and inconsiderate action.
Displaying good sportsmanship defines the moral character of the individual, and we should start to behave like it.