Game Changers: Discovering Your Athletic Ancestry

Do you come from a long line of athletes, or does your family tree lean more towards the spectators' side? Regardless of where you fall on the athletic spectrum, sports undeniably wield a significant influence within our families. Moreover, depending on your cultural heritage, it might even transcend mere interest, evolving into a deep-seated passion or obsession.

The legacy of athleticism often runs through familial veins, transcending time and generations. It's not just about the raw physical prowess; it's also about the profound love and dedication to the game that gets passed down through the ages. When you look into the family trees of renowned athletes, one can witness a tapestry woven with threads of sporting excellence.

Take, for instance, the Manning family, where Archie Manning paved the way for his sons Peyton and Eli to excel in American football. Similarly, the Curry clan boasts a lineage of basketball greatness with Dell Curry, whose sons Steph and Seth have made their mark in the NBA. From racing royalty like the Earnhardt's to the coaching prowess of Jack, John and Jim Harbaugh, and even the indomitable spirit of Muhammad Ali, whose daughter Laila followed in his footsteps, sports legacies continue to shape family narratives across the globe.

I have limited knowledge about my own athletic lineage, aside from my father who actively participated and excelled in various sports. His passion for sportsmanship and upholding the integrity of the game was something that left a lasting impact on me. He dedicated years to umpiring softball leagues in our community, a role I often accompanied him in. I vividly recall him standing behind the plate, donning his distinctive black and white hat with the phrase "It's Okay to Lie to Me." Through those summers, I absorbed invaluable lessons about the essence of sports.

Witnessing my father handle contentious situations with composure and unwavering kindness taught me volumes about the true essence of sportsmanship. Despite facing verbal insults, he maintained a calm yet firm demeanor, treating players and coaches with respect. Remarkably, post-game interactions often saw those same individuals extend their hands in camaraderie, sharing laughter and smiles, alluding to future encounters with a cheerful "see you next week."

I would often question my father about how he managed to remain calm and refrain from retaliation. His response always emphasized the emotional intensity inherent in sports. He would explain that the field serves as a cathartic arena, allowing individuals to let go, and release emotions. He understood that amidst the heat of competition, words could sometimes outpace rational thought. Ultimately, he reminded me that sports are merely games, and the individuals involved are more than their momentary outbursts, acknowledging that adrenaline can sometimes override reason.

Beyond individual family legacies, sports have served as a universal language, fostering unity and connection throughout history. The Olympics, in particular, stand as a beacon of solidarity, where nations set aside their differences to engage in spirited yet friendly competition. It's in these arenas of athletic prowess that cultural barriers are broken, and bonds are forged, reminding us of our shared humanity amidst the diversity of our world.

Documenting your family's sporting history can be a really fun and rewarding experience. A great way to begin is by capturing your family's "current" sports landscape. What sports are your children or grandchildren involved in? Reflect on your own athletic journey as well. Were you a member of a bowling league, or perhaps you spent every Saturday cheering from the sidelines of a soccer field as your children played? Even if formal sports participation wasn't a significant part of your life, there are still memories to be cherished and recorded. What sports did you enjoy or dislike, and what were the reasons behind those feelings?

Sports often serve as the backbone of our communities, and there exists a wealth of documentation in newspapers and yearbooks that can offer valuable insights into your family's sporting heritage. Like this article in the Santa Ana Register where I learned that my dad never missed a football practice in three seasons. By piecing together this part of your family's lives, you not only honor their athletic endeavors but also gain valuable clues that can shed light on other aspects of their lives. Its an opportunity to learn about their character and the events that shaped their life.

Through compiling photographs, newspaper clippings, or anecdotes from family members, documenting your family's sporting history can also provide a deeper understanding of the individuals who have shaped your family's story. It's a process that allows you to enrich your appreciation of both their sporting legacy and their broader life experiences. Currently I am in the process of compiling the stories and writing my mom's life history. We recently spoke about sport in one of the interviews and I was fascinated to learn of her involvement in sports during her younger years. But considering that I was born the last of six children when she was 40 years old, my mom has been tired my whole life, and justifiably so! I never knew that side of my mom so hearing her talk about playing volleyball and softball blew my mind. It was so fun to see this cute 90 year old woman light up as she spoke of her love of playing field hockey and how that was her favorite sport in high school. It's this. This is what has made me fall in love with family history. Discovering the unexpected, bringing new life to someone (even the living), and connecting.

In essence, whether you inherit a genetic predisposition for athleticism or simply share in the collective joy and camaraderie of sports, the impact of sports on familial bonds and societal unity remains undeniable. This is the perfect season to try some athletic family history activities. You can start with:

• Making a list of all the sports you or family members have played in school or on a league to add to the memories in your family trees.

• Look through old yearbooks to find photos of family members on their sports teams and upload those to your on-line or computer based trees.

• Go through old photos and look for pictures from past sporting events and write some brief notes about your memories from those events making sure to capture names, dates and locations if possible.

• Contact relatives to find out if they know about any ancestors who played sports and document what you learn.

• If you have a FamilySearch account, go to https://www.familysearch.org/discovery/famousrelatives where you can see if you are related to any famous athletes.

• If you don't have a FamilySearch account click here for step by step instructions on how to create one and once that is completed you can click here for instructions on how to build your tree.

• With your tree built, you can use our athletic ancestry worksheets for some activities with your children/grandchildren/nieces/nephews to help them learn about your family's sports heritage or make some of your own that suits your needs.

Leave a comment below with your ideas on how to preserve and document your family's athletic heritage. We'd love to hear about your family's sports history and how it has impacted your family.

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