Athletes on a Pedestal
By Daphne Qiu | Sports | spet. 30, 2026
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (SCPDA) — Dating back to ancient Greece and Rome, athletes such as Roman chariot racer Gaius Appuleius Diocles and Greek Olympian runner Leonidas of Rhodes, inspired fan culture. Although modern athletes have moved on from early sporting spectacles, the relationship of idolization between fans and athletes remains. At Stanton College Preparatory School, admiration for these celebrities reaches a wide audience, including student-athletes, casual viewers, and devoted supporters.
“The athlete I look up most to is Tom Brady. He was a quarterback in the NFL, and he was a late draft pick,” sophomore Adam Serra said. “I idolized him because he always worked hard and had this mindset that he never wants to fail and it inspires me to incorporate that mindset into my everyday life.”
To young athletes, sports stars serve as a source of inspiration, empowering them to work harder. Through acting as motivation and providing a sense of shared identity, athletes have affected their fans since the introduction of sports. For games that have amassed a global audience, soccer stars such as Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Spain’s Lamine Yamal have exhibited national pride through their plays. Fans from all over the globe make their way towards stadiums, proudly standing with the teams and players they support. This connection between fan and athlete, develops a sense of pride within an area.
“I support the French national soccer team because my mother was born there, and I have family in France. During the [2026 FIFA] World Cup, we watched every match,” junior Jasper McKinney said. “[My family and I] generally watch to support the team and our community. I have a sense of pride for my country. I simply love visiting France and its people, [especially] the culture.”
While national identity often shapes team loyalty, long-term involvement in the sport can also influence which team young athletes choose to support. For those who play for a school or club, the sport is viewed through a different lens. They understand the skills, strategy, and difficulty of the game. Rather than admiring the teams for nationality, their admiration falls upon the playstyle, discipline, and respect for the game.
“My favorite team is the Golden State Warriors. I watched them in the Bay Area when I was eight years old, and I saw Steph Curry for the first time and fell in love with him,” senior Agrim Kumar said. “I used to play basketball in middle school, so I feel obligated to watch because I am a huge fan of the basketball players and the game.”
Teams and players attract a multitude of people from various parts of the world. However, with intense cases of national pride, fans have been left to deal with difficult outcomes. According to a Buenos Aires Times article published Aug. 7, 2026, after Argentina’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, upset fans were seen throwing rocks at nearby police officers. Through demonstrations such as the incident at the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, the effects these players have on their audiences has proved to be more than playing a game or losing a match. For instance, the word “parasocialism” describes the relationship between a media figure and an individual who develops a deep sense of connection towards that person. Fans often view athletes unrealistically, influencing the player’s life. From performance pressures to standards in their personal relationships. Heightened visibility often intensifies negative reactions, especially for players in the center of the public eye.
“I view parasocialism as something that is toxic to both fans and players. [I noticed] in the recent World Cup game, Jude Bellingham gained popularity,” freshman Adhya Nrusimhadevara said. “When his fans found out about his girlfriend, I heard she was receiving death threats. Many of his fans thought [Bellingham] was too good for her, and then I saw videos on social media threatening and harassing her.”
Such incidents highlight how intense fan attachment can escalate into harmful behavior, contributing to unattainable standards and a loss of objectivity among certain fans. Social media can heighten these reactions, leading to harassment and, in some cases, death threats when athletes perform poorly or change teams. On May 17, 2024, according to an article written by ESPN, 1 in 3 high-profile NCAA athletes reportedly received abusive messages that contained a “betting interest.” While concerning, such extreme reactions are relatively uncommon. For most viewers, sports is a form of entertainment, regardless of the level of enthusiasm towards a team or player.
“As a casual spectator, I usually watch what is currently [playing]. If I am on the tennis channel, I will generally watch more popular players. [For instance], Ben Shelton, Carlos Alcaraz, and Novak Djokovic,” sophomore Heidi Le said. “I play tennis myself as well, [and] I would say my family is a tennis family, so [tennis] is always playing in the background.”
Even for the passive viewer, initial engagement often extends beyond the moment itself. Behind television screens and sports commenter conversations, families and friends gathered excitedly to watch. From global soccer games to local baseball matches, sports have remained a source of entertainment. Applicable to both athletes and non-athletes, the excitement from each play resonates with everyone. The initial thrill of the moment is often what first draws spectators in, capturing their attention before deeper engagement unfolds. However, it rarely ends there. Loyalty is often built gradually, shaped by years of connection and experience, developing into support that deepens beyond initial interest.
“I have been a season ticket holder for the Jaguars for about 25 years. I remember when they first came to Jacksonville in 1995, and they have been my favorite team ever since,” Coach Christopher Crider, Stanton’s athletic director, said. “Last year was great with 13 wins. [I am] very excited about this year, I think if the team stays healthy, we have a chance to win the [state] division again.”
Long standing loyalty reflects a broader pattern, as sports not only inspire individual dedication, but also bring people together. Sports have fostered a sense of belonging, bringing communities together through shared identity. Athletics provide connection, conversation, and mutual passion rather than simply competition. While admiration for these players can be intense, it more often promotes resilience, teamwork, and discipline. Moreover, athletes utilize their platforms to influence positive change. For example, American soccer player Trinity Rodman advocates for the humanization of athletes, as her openness about injuries has sparked support and reminded fans of their vulnerability.
“Trinity Rodman [who] is a women’s soccer player, advocates for athletes that receive hate and how others [players] can relate to it,” sophomore Lucero Parada Arcon said. “This is important because professional athletes are only seen for their image and how well they perform, not the person they are outside of their sport and how that connects to people. I relate to [Rodman] a lot because of her [familial] issues and her succeeding despite that.”
Through measures such as promoting awareness, both athletes and their fans are able to reach a similar understanding. In the case of Rodman’s advocacy, it was only one of the millions of ways players have used their status to reach their audience. These gestures do not only shed light on underlying issues but also humanize performers into people. Rather than constantly focusing on peak performance, fans begin to value effort, growth, and well-being.
“When I started playing golf [in freshman year] I was [really] bad. Now I have gotten a lot better, especially with time management,” junior Olivia Woods said. “There are a lot of ups and downs in improving. Progress is not linear in any sense, you have to get worse to get better as an athlete, and you have to accept that.”
Despite occasional extremes, sports remain a unifying force that encourages balanced and meaningful engagement. While some fans blur the line between admiration and obsession, most maintain a grounded perspective and recognize athletics for its connection rather than fixation. This balance allows sports to serve as a shared experience that brings diverse communities together. Ultimately, it promotes a healthier, more attainable understanding for both fans and players alike.