Following Sportsmanship

Winning and losing is a part of life. In our family, we call it having the "sportsman spirit." That means we cheer for others, play fair, and always try our best—no matter what the scoreboard says!

The other day, Cool Joe and I played a game of soccer at the park. Cool Joe scored a goal and did his silly victory dance! But when our friends scored, Cool Joe felt a little grumpy. He wanted to win so much that he almost forgot to clap for them.

I reminded him, "Being a good sport means celebrating others’ success with a big smile and a high five!" When we do that, we make everyone feel happy and included. It also helps us let go of yucky feelings like jealousy or anger.

Phoenix’s Tips for Great Sportsmanship

• Say "Good Game!"—Win or lose, always shake hands or give a high five to your friends and teammates.
• Cheer for Others: Clap and cheer when someone else does something awesome, even if they’re on the other team.
• Play Fair: Follow the rules and be honest, even if no one is watching.
• Let Go of Grumpy Feelings: If you feel upset, take a deep breath and remember that having fun is more important than winning.

Cool Joe learned that when he cheered for his friends, everyone had more fun—even when the game didn’t go his way. That’s the real victory!

Let’s all be good sports—on the field, at home, and everywhere we play!
– Phoenix & Cool Joe