Major sports are major parts of society. It's not anomalous to

The scholar and commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti once observed: “Major sports are major parts of society. It's not anomalous to have people who love sports come from other parts of that society.” At first glance, these words may appear straightforward, a statement about the ubiquity of athletic passion. Yet beneath their simplicity lies a profound meditation on human culture, identity, and the ways in which sport both reflects and shapes the society in which it exists. Giamatti reminds us that sports are more than games—they are mirrors of civilization, institutions through which values, unity, and expression flow.

This quote underscores the integration of sports and society. Just as art, commerce, and ritual serve to define human culture, sports occupy a central role in social life. People from every walk of life—rich and poor, scholar and laborer, urban and rural—find resonance in athletic pursuit. Giamatti’s insight is that passion for sport is not confined to athletes or fans of a particular class; it is a thread woven into the fabric of society, a language spoken across boundaries and divisions.

History offers vivid examples of this truth. In ancient Rome, gladiatorial games drew crowds from senators to slaves, uniting citizens in a spectacle that reflected courage, skill, and the human fascination with competition. Similarly, the Olympic Games of Greece welcomed athletes and spectators from disparate city-states, creating a shared cultural experience. As Giamatti notes, it is not anomalous that people from various sectors of society find love and meaning in sport—it is, in fact, inevitable, for sports are society writ large in motion.

The meaning of Giamatti’s words also touches upon inclusion and universality. Athletic devotion transcends profession, class, and station. The passion for competition, for the drama of victory and defeat, is a universal human instinct. To love sports is not limited to those who play professionally, but extends to teachers, artisans, scholars, and merchants alike. Giamatti illuminates the idea that sports are a language of society, a common ground upon which diverse people may meet and understand one another.

Consider the example of Jackie Robinson, whose love for baseball and eventual breakthrough into Major League Baseball transcended social boundaries. Robinson’s athletic talent and courage inspired admiration not only from fellow athletes but from citizens across American society, illustrating that passion for sport can bridge divisions and create shared identity. In this, Giamatti’s words find living proof: sports unify, educate, and elevate cultural awareness.

The lesson for contemporary life is clear: embrace sports not merely as entertainment but as a social mirror and a connector of communities. Recognize that admiration for athleticism, dedication, and competition is a universal impulse, capable of bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds. Practical actions include supporting youth and community athletics, celebrating sporting achievements across boundaries, and acknowledging the role of sports in cultivating shared values and mutual respect.

Thus, A. Bartlett Giamatti’s quote endures as both reflection and guidance. It teaches that sports are inseparable from society itself, and that passion for athletics is natural across social strata. Let us honor the universal human impulse to engage with and admire sports, recognizing in it a vehicle for unity, culture, and shared human experience. In doing so, we uphold not just the games themselves, but the communal spirit they inspire—a spirit that reflects the very heart of society.