It’s no secret that I’m a huge Philadelphia Eagles fan.  So, when the Eagles won the Super Bowl in 2019, you can imagine the cheering going on in my house.  During the celebration, however, I remember feeling slightly annoyed by Tom Brady’s bad sportsmanship.  He ran off the field without shaking Nick Foles hand.  Bad form, Tom.

But I’m happy to report good sportsmanship is alive and well on the high school football field.  Today, in my Arizona hometown, the Saguaro Sabercats are set to square off against Chandler Wolves for the State Open Championship at ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium.  Full disclosure, I am rooting for Saguaro as one of my good friends is on the team.

Saguaro was elated with its upset victory 31-24 over rival Hamilton High last week to make it to the final.  But it is the backstory of that game that I find incredibly reassuring.  After the game, the players engaged in the traditional “handshake line”.  Sometimes, the losing team can be quite salty with the other team, refusing to shake hands or mumbling expletives under their breath.  But there was none of that.  In addition to the standard “good game,” Hamilton players, who just lost their chance at the title, shook hands and said “Beat, Chandler”.

Good form, Hamilton.  Maybe the GOAT can take a page from your playbook.  Now get out there and win Saguaro!  Go Sabercats!