Jeff Gordon Drives Home His Point of View
December 4th, 2009
Posted by Jeff Gordon
Do professional athletes have an obligation to give back to the community?
I think everyone has an obligation to use their gifts, resources and voice to positively impact the world around them and professional athletes are no exception.
I do think “obligation” is a tricky word. To me “obligation” implies expectation and somehow minimizes the passion – and com-passion that drives someone to make a difference that is sustainable and truly meaningful.
Over the years I have realized that the visibility and influence that comes with being an athlete can strongly impact others. There is an implied leadership role that comes with that, and it’s important to use this platform to call attention to issues, injustices and inequities.
For the last ten years, The Gordon Foundation has focused our efforts on helping sick children. We work to support pediatric cancer research and treatment, as well as provide funding to the Gordon Children’s Hospital. Our work provides me with the opportunity to visit with a lot of children facing adversity. Meeting these courageous kids and their families is what motivates me give back and what inspires the work of our foundation.
I feel really blessed to have had the opportunity to realize my dreams, and I know that I am in a position to help others do the same. I feel that sense of duty – but it is my passion for helping children that moves me to action.
Photo Credit: Travis Bell
Carin Gabarra on December 11th, 2009
Success requires passion and unwavering commitment, but is not without struggle. No one gets to the top without the support of others. And to make a difference in your community that same desire and energy is necessary. At one time or another, we have all relied upon those around us –in our homes, in our classrooms and in our community. I think it’s important for anyone with the means to give back and make a difference to think of all those people who played a role in our own success and carry on that same willingness to open doors for others. We cannot be successful as a community with a mentality that every individual need only worry about him or herself. To this day, some of my fondest memories of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta still involve the people who volunteered their time and effort to make our team’s magical run possible. As much as anyone else, athletes are byproducts of the communities in which they were raised. It’s by no coincidence, that hometowns are still listed beside athlete’s names and are always announced prior to major athletic competitions. We have all experienced the rewarding feelings of giving and it is important that we embrace the influence we hold and provide chances for others to achieve.
Courtney Thompson on December 11th, 2009
I do not think professional athletes are obligated to give back to the community more than any other person within the community. I believe that any person who has the ability to influence another life in a positive way should take advantage of that and use their sphere of influence as productively as possible. Because of the nature of sports in our society, many professional athletes are in a position of influence. As much as I would want every athlete to use their platform for good, I don’t think athletes are ‘obligated’ to do so, but I think they should. It only takes a little effort from someone who plays at a high level to make a huge difference on a younger athletes life, and a little love goes a long way. It would be great if every athlete took advantage of this and gave back to the community that allows them to do what they love for a living.
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on Friday, December 4th, 2009 at 11:26 am and is filed under Are Obligated.
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