Reader By-Line: Sportsmanship - More Than a Handshake - Martie Barrett - May 1985

Martie Barrett

At the end of a tennis tournament, a young fellow walks up to his opponent, the winner, and shakes his hand. The people watching this young man probably think he is a good sportsman. He may be, but good sportsmanship is more than meets the eye. What if the losing player, while shaking the winner's hand, was cussing his opponent under his breath? No matter how big his smile or how hearty his handshake, he would not have good sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship is not just how well a person acts after losing a game. The attitude of a player is far more important than the outward conduct. If a player has a good attitude, his conduct won't be a problem. - Information Supplied By: Herbert W Armstrong Library