There has been a lot of talk lately about bullying in sports ever since professional football player Jonathan Martin left the Miami Dolphins due to alleged bullying from his teammate, Richie Incognito. The National Football League has had a number of issues including concussions, crimes, and murders. Now, it must determine where the line is drawn between traditional hazing and genuine harassment.

I am not here to justify Incognito’s actions the way some Dolphins’ players have, to belittle Martin the way much of the media has, or to even discuss the wrongs of locker-room bullying. It is easy to focus on the negatives, but what about the reasons we still appreciate sports, like team support and friendship?

During my sophomore year, Coach Jason Berry pulled the freshmen and sophomore soccer girls into his classroom and reproved us for disrespecting each other. Two years later, we’ve grown into a family, and I am sad I only have one more season left with these girls.

It is unfortunate that many golden memories athletes experience with their teams, has been drowned out by the unwonted news of ugly team disunity. This genuine moment of human kindness and friendship exemplifies what it means to be on a team.

The students on the Harker Varsity football team have undoubtedly had a tough season. Forfeiting all league games, having players plagued by injuries, and cutting the season short could not have been easy. But through it all, every single player has demonstrated poise and, more significantly, support of one another. We’ve all seen the Eagles play hard for each other on the field and goof off together around campus.

It is not just football, though. The amity is evident in all branches of Harker sports, from volleyball girls’ synchronized cheers after well-executed plays to the boys basketball team’s choreographed dances at the Hoscars.

Aside from the rush, I play soccer because of the powerful camaraderie.  In August, the girls who didn’t get along two years ago sat in a circle on Davis Field holding each other, laughing, and remembering a beloved coach who taught them to believe in themselves and trust each other. I know Coach Bear would have been proud of how far we’ve come since that conversation in his classroom.

There will be team bullies out there, but I have strong reason to believe that they are rare. The beauty of a team is that there will always be people who have your back. It should be that way not only in Pop Warner, but all the way to the NFL. Maybe professional athletes can learn something from us kids.