Being critical about your favorite sports teams athletes is obviously not uncommon, but the question above came up in conversation today.

There are two instances in particular where I've met and gotten to know a BYU athlete that I had previously been really critical of. After getting to know them, I realized that they were just college students trying to do the best they can, playing a sport they love. Both instances I was frankly surprised to realize that they are both just down to earth, good-hearted people (this was NOT my impression from what I saw on TV). Getting to hear their "side of the story" really impacted me.

From these experiences, it has really made me think before I openly criticize a BYU athlete, ESPECIALLY on the internet where your messages could be read by friends, family, or the athlete themselves. These are amateur athletes. The negative things you say more often then not end up getting back to the athlete or the athlete's loved ones. This topic came up because I was talking to one of the current bball team member's sisters and she had come across a bunch of really negative things said about her brother. She's not a huge sports fanatic, so the whole fanboard environment is foreign to her, but it was clearly upsetting to her that hoards of random people on the internet would say these things about her brother.

I already know some of you will argue that criticism comes with the territory and that you have to learn to deal with it if you're playing at a national level. Sure, there's some merit to that comment, but I personally don't think it's worth it to just rail on these athletes that are doing their best. I'm personally committed to being more of a positive minded fan.

That is all...carry on!