Henry McNamara

Never follow your childhood heroes on twitter is the new never meet your childhood heroes

Growing up I remember being told, or it being implied, by most authorities at school that sports were mostly silly and a waste of time and mindshare, academic pursuits were what really mattered. There were movements in my high school and college to lessen the admissions focus on non-academic pursuits (like athletics and arts) and a feeling that student athletes were contributing less to the school than purely academic students.

Fast forward 20 years and the world, particularly for students and younger people, is more isolated and lacking in community and shared purpose than I ever imagined it could be. Athletics and arts unify people and give them a sense of community in a way that I think people took for granted until recently

This week in greater Boston 20 years ago it felt like the whole state was one small town. Literally every single person was 100% all in on what was happening and sharing in the ups and downs and every moment together as families, friends and communities in a way I have never experienced before or since. I remember moms at pickup line from school talking about the starting pitching rotation, conversations were struck up at every restaurant, bus station, school, office, etc.. between people who didn’t know each other. I don’t think I’ve ever felt something bring millions of people together the way that sports has and can

The older I get and the more I learn about life the more I realize how important passions like athletics and arts are. In today’s world they are desperately needed sources of unity and community, something I hope to instill in each of my four kids, whatever their specific interest may be. End rant

P.S. I pray my kids ever get to witness a week as exhilarating as rooting for the Sox in late October 2004