Athletes should play for the love of the game

We all know that Dec. 25 is Christmas Day, but this year it also marks the first game of the 2011-12 NBA season. This is because for 149 days the program had a lockout due to a disagreement in salary. People who play college or professional sports play for the love of the game, right? Wrong, this is just one of the many lockouts that the sports world has had because of pay disputes.

Many professional athletes no longer play the sport for the love of playing. Everything is centered around money. Players already earn thousands of dollars a game, but when asked to re-sign a contract, they refuse because they want paid more. And even once they are given a pay raise, they complain again once they are free agents.

I am not saying all players are like this; there are many athletes who love playing. However, there are players who play with greed and that's why there are money problems involved in professional sports.

Melissa Janss

Belle Plaine