Is wanting to win 'taboo'???

[Marcus]

I'm not trying to make any statement or anything like that, I just have an honest question for everyone. Now I know winning isn't everything. Heck, I've played on enough losing teams in my lifetime that I've become very good at losing! HAHA

What I want to ask is this: has it become taboo to speak of wanting to win or going out there on the field busting your tail end to try to win a game? I know we all want to win, there's no way you can convince me that anyone goes out there not caring what the outcome of each game is. And, I also want to see everyone exhibit a good attitude and leave the field with a sense of having had fun regardless of the score. But it seems as if it's now unacceptable to give anyone the impression that winning does, in fact, matter.

What's your honest take? Personally, I feel having a strong desire to win shouldn't be in conflict with being a good sport. It is possible to do both, so I don't think a team should be frowned upon for wanting to win. Now when the sportsmanship goes out the window, yes, I can definitely understand the problem with that...

[tizer]

marcus..i think the conflict you run into is when teams wanna win so much it makes them anrgy when they lose. I for one hate to lose..ask my wife...she won't play any games at home (ex. cards) because i can't stand her beating me. It isn't easy for me to lose at anything.

i don't think it's wrong to want to win bad...it's the attitude you have once you don't that people judge you by.

[Chuck]

Its a simple matter to me!

You want to do your BEST in EVERYTHING that you do! YOu give your all, and expect results when you give your all in something. I want to win. I want to have a good time.

God tells us in the Bible, Colossians 3:23 "and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men". I take that to mean "give it your best, and dedicate your efforts to God."

The only thing we dont want to do is to win at ANY COST! Winning a game, which in essence is meaningless in life, isnt worth losing the friendships and fun that is more of a part of the game than winning itself. If you never had fun, why would you play? If you continue to play, I would assume that you at least have a desire to win, expanding on the fun that youre having.

I started out playing about 6 years ago I guess. Our team was pretty bad looking out there on the field. But, we had more fun than the majority of the other teams out there, even the ones that were winning games. We knew if we kept on it, and just stayed right in attitude, the wins would come. Our team back then has transitioned and changed in form and teammates, but the outlook is still the same. Make this season better than the last. To do that, you keep it fun and exciting for you and for your team, and you expand abilities and hope to have a winning season, not only in record, but in spirit and attitude.

Were a goofy and crazy bunch of guys that talk some severe silliness at times. We arent rubbing anything in on people when we win or when we do something good. Thats just our way of having a good time out there. We are NO BETTER than anyone, or any team, as individuals. WE ARE ALL GODS CHILDREN, and he prefers NOT ONE OF US moreso than ANY OTHER.

Theres my 2 Cents. Keep the change! LOL

Love all ya'll
Chuck

[Chuck]

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU CHRIS!

The attitude says it all! If you can win and have a great attitude about it, youre pretty well normal!

Its when you lose that says what youre about and how much youve progressed, as a Christian athlete especially, but in life in general as well!

I have a good time regardless, cuz I do what I can on the field and I leave it there. If I dont feel I gave it everything I had, im hard as heck on myself, but ive got all the respect and love for the other team that they deserve, win or lose.

Ive won a game or two, and still felt like I didnt play up to my expectations. I criticize myself, and let everyone else worry about what they do. I expect alot from myself, and when I feel I shorted myself, I feel that I shorted my teams. I dont like that feeling, but it still doesnt take away from the fun of the game and the fellowship with all my buddies, both my own team, and those we play against.

While on the field, or a court, or what have you, we allow ourselves to be split into groups, teams! We show a unity and solidarity in the prayer we offer to God before each game. After the game is over, and 2 separate teams leave the field, we go back to being men and women on the same team...JESUS CHRISTS TEAM! And that makes each of us a WINNER in the end.

Chuck

[Marcus]

Those are some good responses, and I feel 100% the same. But, the target of my question is a little different. I'm basically asking if you guys feel like it tends to looked down upon when a team has the appearance they're trying to be competitive. Or is it one of those situations where it's okay to be competitive, but just don't say it?

[looney]

dont get me wrong i want to win as much as the next person but you can look at our record we've lost darn near every game but guess what this has got to be one of the funnest years i've played. take tonight for instance on the little field it got to the point to where we started switching players on teams just for the heck of it. and dont get me wrong winning would be great but if winning one game meant the entire time fall apart then i'll take a loss any day. welp there ya go

[Evan]

well i tell my team that win lose or draw we are going to worship God... thats as simple as it gets, i love to win, i really do, but when it becomes nothing more then wanting to win and we leave God out of it, thats when i would rather get our tales kicked... because everyone needs to be humbled...