Dennis Prager discusses this contrast regularly and there is no better, nor sadder, example than what has recently happened at Covenant School, a Christian high school in Texas. In short, the girls basketball team won a game against Dallas Academy 100-0.
In light of such a shocking blowout, the school board posted an apology on its website, reading in part:
But we have come to believe that being kind is the only rule to use in all of life. Yes, we should be kind. But this does not override all standards. Scoring competitions are valuable life lessons. To coddle a child by hiding the score, or apologize for winning by such a huge margin, is almost upside down thinking. THAT is what is truly shameful in this whole story.
In light of such a shocking blowout, the school board posted an apology on its website, reading in part:
The school and its representatives in no way support or condone the running up of a score against any team in any sport for any reason. The school’s board members, Head of School Kyle Queal and Athletic Director Brice Helton have acted to ensure that such an unfortunate incident can never happen again.... [Covenant School officials] wish to extend their highest praise to each member of the Dallas Academy Varsity Girls Basketball team for their strength, composure and fortitude in a game in which they clearly emerged the winner. Accordingly, The Covenant School has contacted TAPPS and is submitting a formal request to forfeit the game recognizing that a victory without honor is a great loss.Unfortunately, the story doesn't end there. The coach of the girls' team was fired when he refused to apologize! According to the AP article, the coach responded in an email to the school leadership's apology, saying:
"In response to the statement posted on The Covenant School Web site, I do not agree with the apology or the notion that the Covenant School girls basketball team should feel embarrassed or ashamed," Grimes wrote in the e-mail, according to the newspaper. "We played the game as it was meant to be played. My values and my beliefs would not allow me to run up the score on any opponent, and it will not allow me to apologize for a wide-margin victory when my girls played with honor and integrity."I am not advocating embarrassing anyone, or humiliating others intentionally. But the idea of a competition, and sports specifically, are such that you bring your best to the game. You do your best and never quit until the competition is over. Should a runner let up because he is so far ahead of other runners? Absolutely not.
But we have come to believe that being kind is the only rule to use in all of life. Yes, we should be kind. But this does not override all standards. Scoring competitions are valuable life lessons. To coddle a child by hiding the score, or apologize for winning by such a huge margin, is almost upside down thinking. THAT is what is truly shameful in this whole story.