This is the second article to my “Good News” segment. In this article, we will be covering feel good stories in sports!

The world in which we live is one that is predominantly negative. “Straight-up negative” is how I’d put it. You watch the news, and you are hit with straight negativity. I am here to attempt to change that. 

Whether it be a funny light hearted story or a cool coincidence, I am going to report current positive events in sports. I hope to bring the same feeling you get when you roll down the windows as you drive home from the last day of school. 

This article is also sponsored by the Sunshine Committee of NHS as they spread sunshine and positivity throughout the ranks of Magnet.

There was a story on college game day recently that covered a man named Kurt Hester that was diagnosed with cancer following a broken rib. Although he was given a couple weeks to live, he has fought every day as the strength and conditioning coach of the Houston football team. After numerous drugs and methods of fighting cancer, he was told to “Go home, make peace, and call hospice.” Kurt laughed at this thought saying: “You won’t break me.” Coming to practice and coaching the Coogs has been a major part of Hester’s recovery and he says it’s a form of therapy for him. Since his January diagnosis, his tumors have begun to recede. He is a man who was told he was going to die, but he decided he was going to take his diagnoses to “3 OTs” and he was never going to quit. This is remarkable and extremely motivating as even in the face of death, there is never an option to give up. Kurt has shown what’s possible and given us some remarkable news.

Indianapolis Colts cheerleader Morgan is a gal who knows how to contribute good to the world. In a position like herself, being a cheerleader, it is necessary to cheer on your team and get the fans going. Morgan does this to a whole new level. When a deaf fan, Mark Braster III, came in to the Colt stadium to see his first game, Morgan stepped up and utilized her knowledge of the language. Mark and Morgan showed the world that the language of understanding one another is universal. She says, “Being able to make individuals feel seen, heard, and appreciated is such a special gift.” There should be more people like Morgan in the world who take their skills and use them for good and upholding positivity. This a beautiful story showing that the sport world still holds great positivity. 

Liverpool, Real Betis and FIS earn Sport Positive awards announced during a two-day sports sustainability summit. The story of Liverpool, however, is one that has set the benchmark for many other clubs. Their program, The Red Way, launched in January 2021 as a way of taking action against critical issues such as climate change, equality, diversity, and inclusion. A part of this that has improved is their improvement from 20% recycling on match days to 90% along with reducing their carbon emissions by 15%. This is the program that needs to be reproduced in all clubs. Well done Liverpool, and thanks for contributing sunshine and positivity to our environment.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s good news in sports!