Sports violence affects young athletes. Once the children see athletes act violently on TV, they start to act violently in sports also. The children look up to athletes as role models. When the athletes behave badly, kids copy that behavior because they think it is OK.

One way to prevent the young athletes from showing violence when they play sports is for parents to act as positive role models for their kids. They need to help children understand why it’s important to show good sportsmanship. Another way is for coaches to not tolerate any violent behaviors from their athletes. If coaches allow them to act poorly, they will think it’s OK to act that way.

Fans are a big reason why some athletes act violently while playing their sport. Fans yell at them, throw things at them and can be abusive. The athletes get angry and react in a violent way.

I think that athletes should take the time to think about who is watching them and what effect it has on the young athletes that look up to them. We need coaches, parents and athletes to get children to act positive in sports.

Danielle Morin, Auburn