Although most of the time sports seem to be more about money, power, beer filled revelry and other unimportant details, I truly believe that sports are a vital part of our culture and can often times provide a truer sense of purpose for athletes. This article about Wings of America, a team of runners of Native Americans from reservations across the US, helps prove that often times sports can provide a greater good.

“The hardest part is getting people to understand, to make the case how important it is,” said Anne Wheelock Gonzales, the organization’s former executive director who now serves as a consultant. “One time someone said, ‘Well, it’s not like you’re saving lives.’ And I said: ‘Excuse me, we are saving lives. That’s exactly what this does.’ ”

It is a constant theme, whether it is about young inner city kids playing basketball and finding a way out or a troubled kid turning to sports and learning about discipline, sports have a way of opening up doors for young people.  Whether it is a multi-million dollar contract or a scholarship and education sports can save lives