The Consequences of Failure in Sport

Sports figures are the heroes of both young and old in American society.They represent glamour, great wealth, and the anybody can make it syndrome.Young people, especially boys but increasingly girls as well, typically aspire to be great athletes.This goal is perpetuated by corporations, communities, schools, and the media.We are con- tinually reminded of the exploits, incredible wealth, and lifestyles of such fabled athletes as Joe Namath, Pete Maravich, and Reggie Jack- son.The goal of athletic success is believed almost universally to be a reliable route to financial success.Forbes Magazine, for example, asked the question several years ago: Where does a young man go to get rich?Wall Street?Law?Big Business?The answer is professional sports (Forbes, 1972: 25; emphasis added).But success through sport is largely a myth.While we are told that success through sport is plausible, we are not informed of the tremen- dous odds against such success.Every year in professional football, for