It’s no secret.

The world, as it stands at this moment, is in shambles.

Wars are tearing countries apart.

Poverty is creating havoc almost everywhere.

It seems that every single second that you turn around bad news is reported everywhere.

Looking back, school shootings were never a problem.

Now they are a monthly thing.

The world is changing every second.

One thing, however, remains constant is sports.

Whether its baseball, football, hockey, basketball, or any other sport, every country and community has one sporting event they hold dear to their hearts.

For instance, on a recent trip to Mexico, I noticed a bull fighting arena and began asking questions.

The answers I received, taught me that bull fighting was more than a sport to them.

It was part of the villages culture.

Sure, it sounds completely nuts, but rodeos are hosted all along our area and bull riding is the main attraction.

That may sound crazy to other people from different parts of the world.

One thing I witnessed also this past year, on a trip to the Washington Capitals hockey training complex, was that hockey is now spreading to places such as India.

Growing up as a hockey player and fan, I thought that this was such an amazing thing.

There are even teams growing in areas of South America.

Thinking of these things this week has reminded me that through all the chaos and turmoil in the world today, sports can bring a country together or give people an out for just a few hours.

It is to many an equalizer.

It’s amazing when you stop and think about how a simple game could help bring people together in such difficult times.

My only hope is that more professional athletes will start acting in an honorable fashion.

The eyes of the world are upon you.

With this being said, I challenge each reader to become a role model for a younger child and help demonstrate what honorable sportsmanship is.

It is important that we be that example for the younger generation and lead by them.

Our world depends on the actions that we take.