Fathers, Sons, and the Heavy Legacy of Sports: My Take on the Current Issue of Dads and their Sons in Professional Sports!
The father-son bond in sports has been celebrated for ages. We love the idea of a son following in his dad’s footsteps, making a name for himself with his father’s wisdom to guide him. But let’s face it—this whole narrative feels outdated, unrealistic, and honestly, pretty toxic in today’s sports scene.
Take Bronny James and Shedeur Sanders, for example. These guys aren’t just chasing their own dreams; there’s this huge expectation that they will live up to, or even outshine, the massive legacies left by their dads LeBron James and Deion Sanders. And while we pretend to celebrate their achievements, it often feels like society is more focused on tearing them down.
We hang on to these "feel-good" stories about famous sports families like the Mannings or the Griffeys, but we often ignore the struggles they faced. Sure, when the story is good, it’s inspiring, but when it isn’t, we conveniently forget the tough parts.
Not every son wants to take on that responsibility, and honestly, they shouldn't have to. Even if some do want to, the stress that comes with it can be way too much compared to the pride they’d feel.
Bronny isn’t just a talented young player—he’s LeBron’s kid. Every missed shot isn’t just a mistake; it gets scrutinized as a failure to live up to the "King's" legacy. We all knew LeBron wanted to play with Bronny and that’s what most dads want to do but Bronny didn’t have the best of college careers because of his health problems and we can’t fault him for that but when LeBron retires "What’s going to be Bronny’s legacy?"
And Shedeur isn’t just a standout quarterback; he’s "Coach Prime’s" son. His stats aren’t seen as just numbers; they’re constantly compared to Deion’s legendary career. In the case of Shedeur, this most recent NFL Draft saw him drop from a potential first round pick to being taken in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns. But there have been some interesting takes about his persona and his professionalism.
But now the real question isn’t “Are they good?”—it’s “Are they good enough to justify their last name?” That’s an insane standard to place on any teenager. Obviously the last names of their dads carry much reception but the ultimate responsibility goes to the LBJ and Deion on how they mature their sons.
1. Let’s get into Favoritism:
Critics love to say Bronny’s shot at the NBA is more about his dad’s fame than his skills. They say Shedeur’s big NIL deals are just a result of Deion’s popularity. But in every field, connections matter. Whether you’re in Hollywood, finance, or the NFL, knowing the right people helps. So why do we look at sports differently? Are we truly upset by "unfair advantages," or are we just bitter when privilege doesn’t come with a rags-to-riches story?
Sports fans claim to love hard work and root for the underdogs, but when it comes to athletes like Bronny and Shedeur, the admiration often turns to resentment. Every accomplishment is seen as handed to them. Every setback is exaggerated to show they’re overrated. Every chance they get is doubted as if their last name makes their effort meaningless.
This isn’t about fairness; it’s about our obsession with taking down those who were born into advantage, even though they still have to put in the work.
2. Is the pressure too much?
Forget the pressure of game day. The real struggle is internal: Am I doing this for myself or because everyone expects it? Will I ever be seen as enough if I don’t outshine my dad’s legacy?
Bronny and Shedeur aren’t just competing with other players—they’re up against the ghosts of greatness. Instead of recognizing that struggle, we pile on with critiques and opinions.
This isn’t just about sports; it reflects our insecurities: We envy privilege but ignore the mental strain it brings. We glorify struggle but brush off the unique challenges faced by the privileged. We crave underdog stories because they make us feel better about our shortcomings.
3. Is the media the real problem?
Maybe it’s time to realize that we’re part of the issue.
So here’s a thought: Let them live their own life, not just their dad’s. Bronny and Shedeur didn’t ask for fame; they were born into it. But every day, they step up, dealing with harsh comparisons, constant criticism, and overwhelming public expectations.
How about we give them some respect? Let’s stop measuring them against their fathers and recognize that their success is valid, no matter what their last name is. For once, let’s appreciate these young athletes for who they are, not who their dads were.
The media and fans are entitled to their own opinions but it gets to a point where it gets too far. We'll either condemn them or praise them. There’s no in between. We do need to keep them humble and call them out if it comes down to it but we need to also respect them by their athleticism.
Final Thought:
In the end, the best legacy isn’t about passing down awards. It’s about raising kids strong enough to carve out their paths, regardless of the noise around them. Bronny and Shedeur are going to hopefully be household names regardless of their last name or who their dads are. The ones that we need to hold accountable are the ones striving for their perfection, and that’s LeBron and Deion. Let Bronny and Shedeur be their own men.