Sometimes in life, we have to take a stand. It may be for a religious reason, health reasons, or even a personal reason. We were taught at a young age to stand up for those who are bullied or don't have the courage to fend for themselves. Sadly, we are all victims of peer pressure. We hate to be the one that stands out from the norm. Nobody wants to be the labeled the weird or boring kid. We are a society that embraces being comfortable. We love the simplicity of life and the convenience of not having to think too hard about topics.

Sports are a form of mindless entertainment that we often partake in. Each year we participate in hours of sitting, drinking, cheers, crying, and laughing at people who we hardly know. Sports unifies us in a way that very few mediums in the world can. We would have to look to tragedy or war to find a unifier like sports.

In the past two years though, sports have changed. They are no longer about alcohol, wearing jerseys, or watching your hometown team winning the national championship. (Baltimore Ravens 2013 😉). Sports have recently become a platform for athletes to voice their opinions about different topics.

Tim Tebow, a former Heisman winner, used his platform to share his Christian faith. Colin Kaepernick, Former NFL QB, used his platform to bring awareness to police brutality and racial injustice by taking a knee during the National Anthem. Chris Long, Philadelphia Eagles, donated his entire salary to charities in the Virginia area. NBA forward Kevin Love recently opened about his struggles with mental health. The list can go on forever.

The advent of social media gives athletes a humanistic feel to them. We can see them live when they're on the top, when they hanging with friends, or even after tough losses. Sometimes this is for the best and sometimes it can get them in controversy.

There are many that don't like their sports heroes becoming political or voicing opinions. They want sports to be about the joy of playing the game and the thrill of watching their favorite player/team win the championship. Personally, I would agree. There is a certain level of professionalism that athletes must exhibit while performing. An athlete should rely on their ability to perform at a high level to accomplish the ultimate goal of winning the championship.

However, it is important for "dumb jocks" to prove they're more than an athletic specimen. Our society is evolving and the ripple effect is changing the way sports are perceived. Athletes have the right to speak out and be a profound voice for marginalized groups.

Though people may be uncomfortable with sports in the millennial era, I think it's time for sports to add some extra substance and became more than just hitting, dunking, catching a ball. Sports are so popular and can shift the cultural norms of a society. We follow the lead of athletes in the way we dress, communicate, and most importantly perform.

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