What Mr. Costello Is Reading Right Now: Jaylen Brown
Hi MTW!
As a teacher and a coach, I am always trying to get my students and players to access their entire human experience and apply it to the skills required for our sport or class. In teaching 9th graders, I have a lot of fun reading different kinds of narratives throughout the semester and imploring my students to follow their own path for a goal for which they would be a "stone through water." As a coach, my players must have a mindfulness of their bodies and their process in order to perform at their peak. The hidden message behind all of these lessons is that the tasks we perform day-to-day in any context, be it the classroom or the playing field, should require our entire concentration in the moments that we are processing them.
Jaylen Brown: ‘We’re having some of the same problems we had 50 years ago. Some things have changed a lot but other factors are deeply embedded in our society.’ Photograph: Brian Babineau/NBAE/Getty Images Jaylen Brown of the Celtics is a perfect example of the kind of person who lives by this code. At the highest level of his sport, he remains committed to engaging his entire human capabilities every day, not just what his sport/job requires of him. And beyond that, he applies his humanity to understand the world around him in a deeper context. As a white male, I will never understand the depth of the experience growing up black in this country. I am really proud to support athletes like Jaylen Brown that share their experience, and have success on a national stage. Professional sports can distort just about every positive motivation for being athlete, substitute it with money, then pull the rug out from under 99% of it prospective employees, leaving them with false hopes and ruined lives. It might not exist yet, but the true highest level of sport would be a league of Jaylen Browns.
Excerpt:
Brown’s readiness to talk about politics and culture might account for the surreal suggestion in 2016 that he was “too smart” for the NBA. From the outside, ‘smart’ seemed a euphemism for ‘troublesome’. What did Brown think when, as a teenager, he heard words unlikely to be used in conjunction with a white athlete? “It was hinting at something very problematic within society. It bothered me but I was so focused on getting to where I was going I never dissected it or pointed it out to anybody.
“But I disagree that an athlete can’t be intelligent. Some people think that, in basketball, we have a bunch of masculine adults who don’t know how to control themselves. They’re feeble-minded and can’t engage or articulate ideas. That’s a narrative they keep trying to paint. We’re trying to change it because that statement definitely has a racist undertone.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jan/09/jaylen-brown-boston-celtics-nba-interview?CMP=share_btn_fb
As a teacher and a coach, I am always trying to get my students and players to access their entire human experience and apply it to the skills required for our sport or class. In teaching 9th graders, I have a lot of fun reading different kinds of narratives throughout the semester and imploring my students to follow their own path for a goal for which they would be a "stone through water." As a coach, my players must have a mindfulness of their bodies and their process in order to perform at their peak. The hidden message behind all of these lessons is that the tasks we perform day-to-day in any context, be it the classroom or the playing field, should require our entire concentration in the moments that we are processing them.
Excerpt:
Brown’s readiness to talk about politics and culture might account for the surreal suggestion in 2016 that he was “too smart” for the NBA. From the outside, ‘smart’ seemed a euphemism for ‘troublesome’. What did Brown think when, as a teenager, he heard words unlikely to be used in conjunction with a white athlete? “It was hinting at something very problematic within society. It bothered me but I was so focused on getting to where I was going I never dissected it or pointed it out to anybody.
“But I disagree that an athlete can’t be intelligent. Some people think that, in basketball, we have a bunch of masculine adults who don’t know how to control themselves. They’re feeble-minded and can’t engage or articulate ideas. That’s a narrative they keep trying to paint. We’re trying to change it because that statement definitely has a racist undertone.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jan/09/jaylen-brown-boston-celtics-nba-interview?CMP=share_btn_fb
Jaylen Brown is one of the great young leaders in the NBA. He is not shy for voicing his side and talking about politics. As the excerpt said " the true highest level of sport would be a league of Jaylen Browns." This shows that a lot of people around the league are taking notice of his great leader ship.
ReplyDeleteThanks Donovan! I agree that true leadership extends beyond the court.
DeleteI feel as though that in the sports world I feel that their are lots of racial discrimination that is going around in the real sports world. Being the professional basketball player that he is he stays committed to what ever he has to do in his life and what he has to do to stay motivated.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brett! Athletes are often put under a microscope because of the role they fill in our culture. It's a great practice as a fan to be able to see athletes for who they really are, and to see sports entertainment for what it really is.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletethis is more than 50 but it wont let me delete it
DeleteThe fact that Jaylen Brown is aware about the world around him while playing in the highest competitive league is astounding. If there were other athletes like Jaylen, the the NBA would become more than a sports organization. Possibly even a world organization that is both aware of itself and it's surroundings. A league of Jaylen Browns would add a different, and better, meaning to professional athlete and what is expected of them.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Porter! In truth, the NBA and other sports leagues already make up a significant amount of American (and World) culture, but the power to create culture is distributed between a small group of wealthy commissioners and owners who are overwhelmingly white males. It's not surprising that a young black athlete would see the inequity in that, but it can be harder as a fan to buy into if our expectations for professional athletes end at mere entertainment. More and more athletes like Jaylen Brown are using their platform to educate, and we should be thankful!
DeleteOlivia-
ReplyDeleteJaylen Brown is not just a great basketball player he is a influence on many young athletes. He has showed his perseverance for the game by never giving up. The motivation Jaylen has in himself has drove him into being the best basketball player he can possibly be.
Thanks Olivia! Jaylen Brown has obviously concentrated on being a basketball player for a long time. But with all of his other talents, and his power to practice and get better, I wonder what he might be if there were no basketball?
DeleteI completely agree with Jaylen Brown perspective, as well as the writer. Browns mental edge and intellectual prowess has advertised him as a "smart Basketball player", and even considered "Too smart for the NBA". With the spotlight on Brown for this issue, Brown has shown his opinion on the matter. Brown believes that the stereotype of professional basketball player being dumb is fiction, and that it must be changed, in this time of social reform.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the response! Part of Jaylen Brown's issue with being labeled "too smart for the NBA" is that black athletes are stereotyped as being dumb, purely physical, almost like animals. His observation is that a white athlete/basketball player would never be labeled as "too smart for the NBA." White athletes are often stereotyped as cerebral, hustle and effort oriented. When media perpetuates these stereotypes it creates false narratives that can be hard to break. Each athlete is so much more than what fans see in a 2-3 hour performance.
DeleteI completely agree with Jaylen Brown perspective, as well as the writer. Browns mental edge and intellectual prowess has advertised him as a "smart Basketball player", and even considered "Too smart for the NBA". With the spotlight on Brown for this issue, Brown has shown his opinion on the matter. Brown believes that the stereotype of professional basketball player being dumb is fiction, and that it must be changed, in this time of social reform.
ReplyDeleteJaylen brown is a great role model for younger athletes and students to look up too. He shows that if you are determined and have a good work ethic you can accomplish your dreams. He also shows that if you are capable of doing more than your job requires you shouldn't take the easy way out and you should try your hardest to do the best you can.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jakob! Jaylen Brown is certainly an example of a success story; every professional athlete represents that. We should be thankful that he is using his success to uncover some of the unconscious biases in the sports world.
DeleteJaylen Brown goes above and beyond each and every day to set an example for children in America while performing at the highest level possible on the court. One of the premier young players in the NBA, Jaylen Brown takes none of his success for granted and works hard to maintain the image he has created for himself.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Jack. Do you think Jaylen Brown is seen by fans/owners/the NBA in the same way that he sees himself?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJaylen Brown is a great example of an athlete that is not just an athlete and he realizes the great things he can do as a professional athlete. When you work hard and continue to get better even if you already have this tremendous talent you can be a great player and Jaylen Brown shows us what hard-work can get you and he is a great example for kids to look up to.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ryan! Talent is certainly different from effort and Jaylen Brown exhibits both. Imagine 15-20 years from now: What is Jaylen Brown doing?
DeleteGrowing up as a kid in this world I always looked up to rising athletes to lead me in a way of life. It is awesome to think about how many young kids and even just people that Jaylen Brown is influencing. It's more than just a game, and Jaylen Brown is one of the many young leaders to speak his voice and show people that.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, Garrett! Is there a way that you can use your voice to help those around you, following Jaylen Brown's lead?
DeleteJaylen Brown is a remarkable player on and off the court. He shows great thought and energy into politics as well as his athleticism on the field. Jaylen is a great player for younger athletes to "want to be him" when they grow up. Brown broke the stereotype of basketball players not being smart when he first wore the NBA jersey.
ReplyDeleteConnor Waitkus
DeleteThanks, Connor! Jaylen Brown is not the first "smart" NBA player. But as a black athlete, his experience has taught him that society at-large does not want to acknowledge his intelligence. By telling his story, he is showing a whole generation of younger athletes that there is more to them, beside just their physical skill or talents on the court.
DeleteJaylen Brown is an exlent leader and role modle. he is also not afraid to speak his oun.
DeleteJalen brown is defiantly acting as a leader to his team, and also many of his fans including me. there are also other athletes that I loom up to, but Jalen Brown is young and has much more potential inside of him.
ReplyDeleteJalen Brown is a role model for many rising athletes. I think it's great how he acts like a true professional on and off the court and is committed to making his community a better place.
ReplyDeleteI think Jaylen is not only a great leader & basketball player, he definitely is very smart outside of basketball. He is loved by many Celtics fans because of this. He personally is one of my favorite players to watch because of his athleticism, shooting and defense. Him also being very intelligent just adds to the fact that he will be a great player in the near future.
ReplyDeleteJaylen brown is a great basketball player. He brings a lot of intensity to the game and is a great leader for the younger players that don't have that much experience in the NBA.
ReplyDeleteHe is a good athlete and a great motivation for kids to try and start basketball.
ReplyDeleteI think that Jaylen Brown is not only a great basketball player, he is an emotional leader for the Celtics both on and off the court. He is a great role model for young players to look up to because of his attitude on and off the court.
ReplyDeleteJaylen Brown is a professional basketball player who actually has a genuine personality. It is kind of refreshing to see a professional in the sports industry who doesn't have a completely fake or pop-culture/trend driven personality.
ReplyDeleteGrowing up as a kid there aren't that many people you can look up to, usually I tend to look towards athletes. Even though the media is always looking for a scandal, professional athletes always try and be great role models for young players, or even just youth wanting to look up to someone. Athletes are always acting appropriate, probably because they know they have many impressionable viewers. Jaylen Brown is a perfect example of this.
ReplyDeleteI think Jaylen Brown has a great mentality and approach to his life and how he uses it everyday. I believe all of us should use him as an example and approach life just the same.
ReplyDeleteJaylen Brown of the Celtics is a perfect example of the kind of person who lives by this code. That means that Jaylen is able to commit to engaging is hours to playing basketball and practicing for basketball. I think that it is a great idea for him to engage his hours to basketball, so that he can get better in basketball.
ReplyDelete