Just like I find men who talk sports who don't really know

Gabrielle Union once spoke these words: “Just like I find men who talk sports who don’t really know sports annoying, I think men might find women who don’t really have a true passion and knowledge of sports maybe not so attractive.” Though at first glance they may seem playful, they reveal a timeless truth about authenticity, passion, and the search for genuine connection. Union is not merely commenting on sports—she is speaking of the human tendency to value truth in spirit over pretense, and to cherish passion over empty words.

The heart of her statement lies in knowledge and passion. To speak of sports—or of any field—with ignorance is to reveal a hollowness, a mask without substance. Just as the ancients warned against the sophist who twisted words without wisdom, so too does Union remind us that speech must be anchored in truth. When men boast of sports without knowing the struggle, the rules, or the stories of the game, it rings false. Likewise, when women pretend to share passion for sports without genuine interest, it is felt as a kind of performance. In both cases, the lack of authenticity diminishes the beauty of the bond.

History offers us examples of how authenticity is valued above all. Recall the story of the philosopher Diogenes of Sinope, who walked through the streets with a lantern in daylight, seeking “an honest man.” He despised pretense and exposed hypocrisy wherever he found it. In Union’s words we hear this same ancient hunger: the call to honesty, to be real in one’s passions, rather than adopting them merely to impress or conform. For love, friendship, and respect are built not upon masks, but upon truth.

Union also touches upon the deeper idea of attraction. To be attractive in the truest sense is not only to please the eye, but to stir admiration of the soul. And what stirs the soul most? Passion. The eyes of the lover, the student, the athlete, the artist—all shine brighter when they speak of what they truly adore. It is not knowledge alone, but passion wedded to knowledge, that draws hearts together. The false spark dies quickly, but the true fire burns long and bright.

Consider the tale of Billie Jean King, the great tennis champion who not only mastered her sport but spoke with clarity and conviction about its meaning. Her love of tennis was not feigned; it was written into every serve and every word. When she battled Bobby Riggs in the “Battle of the Sexes” in 1973, she carried more than her own racquet—she carried the truth of her passion, the authenticity of her belief in women’s place in sports. It was that authenticity, not mere skill, that made her victory so powerful and so admired.

Union’s words remind us, then, that relationships—whether romantic, friendly, or communal—are not strengthened by feigned agreement or shallow pretense. They are built on shared truth. To pretend knowledge is to weaken trust; to feign passion is to rob oneself of dignity. It is better to stand firm in one’s own loves—be they sports, art, music, or science—than to borrow another’s without sincerity.

Therefore, the lesson is clear: be authentic in all pursuits. If you love sports, embrace them with zeal and learn their ways. If you do not, let your passions lie elsewhere, and do not be ashamed of them. True connection arises not from pretending to love what others love, but from boldly sharing what sets your own soul aflame. In this way, relationships are made honest, admiration becomes genuine, and attraction grows from a place of truth.

So let us pass this teaching onward: do not wear masks in the arena of life. Speak with knowledge, act with passion, and honor the truth of your own heart. For only then will your words carry weight, your bonds endure, and your spirit shine with the beauty of authenticity.