Image Source: Jerry Brewer
Key Takeaways:
- The author, a sports columnist, took a six-week break to reevaluate the role of sports columnists in an era that favors attention over nuance.
- The author intends to use their platform to help the tradition of sports columnism outlast its gloomy forecast.
- The author values integrity of thought and accountability in their writing, and aims to provide well-researched and thoughtful opinions.
- The author is concerned about the impact of the sports industry on the next generation, and the way that criticism and negativity are often used to get attention.
- The author believes that the way they write about sports matters, and that they have a responsibility to promote positive and respectful discourse.
Introduction to the Hiatus
The author of this article, a sports columnist, has been on a six-week hiatus from writing. As they explain, "I’ve been a naked sportswriter… it has been more than 30 years since I’ve gone this long without donning a press credential, or scribbling furiously into a notebook, or measuring each day by a word count." This break was not taken for rest, but rather for reckoning, as the author sought to reevaluate the role of sports columnists in an era where attention and nuance are often at odds. With the rise of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, the author wonders, "What’s the role of the sports column in an era that favors attention over nuance?"
The State of Sports Journalism
The author notes that some of their peers have conceded that the traditional sports column is nearing extinction, citing the fact that people respond more to "hot takes" and character-limited opinions than to well-researched and nuanced writing. As the author puts it, "People respond mostly to hot takes with a character limit, they say. People would rather yell at pundits on television than reach for their reading glasses." However, the author is determined to prove them wrong, and to use their platform to provide thoughtful and engaging writing that values integrity and accountability. The author believes that "the best storytelling requires revision," and that by taking the time to reflect and recharge, they can produce writing that is more meaningful and impactful.
The Author’s Intentions
As the author prepares to return to writing, they express their intention to "play a small role in helping the tradition outlast the gloomy forecast." They explain that they are not just writing for their readers, but with them, and that they value the community and storytelling that The Athletic provides. The author notes, "I’m with you, not just writing stuff for you to read… It’s a community built around storytelling. It’s a place that satisfies intense fan interest with curiosity and context rather than posturing and spectacle." The author also emphasizes the importance of accountability and moral clarity in their writing, stating that they will "poke at uncomfortable truths" and "rip some of your sacred cows" when necessary.
The Impact on the Next Generation
During their hiatus, the author observed the way that their 10-year-old son interacts with sports, and was struck by the way that criticism and negativity are often used to get attention. The author notes that their son will often call athletes "trash" when they have a bad game, and that this habit is reflective of a larger trend in the way that we talk about sports. The author fears that this "virus" of criticism and negativity is spreading quickly, and that it is having a negative impact on the way that we think about and interact with sports. As the author puts it, "If sports are subtly teaching the next generation how to talk about people, then the way that I, and everyone in the industry, write about sports matters more than we admit."
Conclusion
The author concludes by emphasizing the importance of promoting positive and respectful discourse in sports writing. They note that they cannot stop the "virus" of criticism and negativity on their own, but that they can refuse to spread it. By valuing integrity and accountability in their writing, and by promoting thoughtful and nuanced discussion, the author hopes to make a positive impact on the way that we think about and interact with sports. As the author states, "Maybe I can’t stop the virus, but I can refuse to spread it." By taking a stand against negativity and criticism, the author aims to create a more positive and respectful sports community, one that values thoughtful discussion and nuanced analysis over attention-grabbing headlines and divisive rhetoric.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6946845/2026/01/07/jerry-brewer-sports-columnist-introduction-the-athletic/
