See the 'Sportsmanship' commercial about an honest basketball player

Pass It On^®

Basketball

When the game is on the line we find out what kind of character we really have. In the heat of a championship basketball game a young man makes a decision that affects his entire team.

Video Transcript

Coach 1: Go lets go
(Crowd cheering)
Coach 1: Oh!
Ref: Blue!
Alexs coach: Time!
Ref: Time out.
Alex (talking over coach): I touched it
Alex again: I touched the ball before it went out, coach.
Teammate 1: Come on Alex, the ref did not call that!
Teammate 2: You gotta be kidding me, Alex!
Teammate 3: Its the championship game!
Teammate 4: Talk to him, coach
Alex: I touched it, its their ball.

Alexs Coach: Dont foul them when they inbound. Team on three. One, two, three.
Team in unison: Team!
Teammate 1: Nice going Alex
Alex: Sorry coach.
Alexs Coach: Alex. Alex, good call.
Anncr/Super: Sportsmanship, pass it on. The Foundation for a Better Life.
Alex: Ref, I touched it last.

Sportsmanship. Pass It On!

COMMENTS

Frank from London JANUARY 11, 2018
greatest vid i have seen in the last 5 minutes!!!!!

Turo from Beijing,China AUGUST 28, 2017
Very honest! we people need to be like Alex.

woooooooooooo from @ MAY 8, 2017
They may not win, but this is still a good move

unknown from unknown OCTOBER 3, 2016
nice

Marvin Adel from Batangas Philippines SEPTEMBER 22, 2016
Honesty... Christ like character

ruth from school SEPTEMBER 6, 2016
good

Anonymous NOVEMBER 2, 2015
Good job.

k from rrhs OCTOBER 8, 2015
good video

cobe from cavitt juoir high schoolmn SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
this is the best add i have ever seen this explains soo much aboiut sportsmanship everyone in the world should watch thes

Anonymous from ? APRIL 14, 2014
You should publish a range of opinions on this commercial, as any person with good values knows that the strength of their conviction can healthily be challenged and sharpened by good debate. With that said, this ad does portray one particular character with good values. Player 1 has his values straight. He understands that it is not the coaches or players roles to interpret and call the plays. He correctly asserts that you should not argue with the ref and just play the game. Good pressure got you the ball back and you earned it, go win the championship! How would this scenario change if it were from the perspective of the player who got the raw end of the deal? Would you all be happy about him or his coach complaining to the ref because the ball was not out on him. Isn’t that the right thing to do by your logic?

Martha Hole from Wichita, KS JANUARY 25, 2014
I just sent an email to you about the repetitive running of the John Denver commercial. I said I would look at more of your site. Well, now I'm not so unhappy about seeing about 5 or 6 of the same commercial per hour. If that led me to your website, then that's great. I will share this with others and pass it on. You are promoting the positive values that are so tragically lacking today and that are certainly not being taught enough in schools and at home. Maybe more will see these ads and learn some better behaviors. Many thanks!....... Martha

Alan Miano from Corfu, New York DECEMBER 22, 2013
The first time I saw the commercial, I never considered the impact it would have on my own children. During my 15 year old daughters basketball game the same scenario happened. She touched the ball and the opposing coach had a good view of the play and was arguing the call. My daughter told the referee that she had touched and the call was reversed. The game wasn't for the championship but I hope that she would do the same thing. The commercial did have an impact on her and I couldn't be more proud of her. She scored 20 points in the game. The point she made about honesty was the only one that matters.

Anonymous NOVEMBER 11, 2013
You should publish a range of opinions on this commercial, as any person with good values knows that the strength of their conviction can healthily be challenged and sharpened by good debate. With that said, this ad does portray one particular character with good values. Player 1 has his values straight. He understands that it is not the coaches or players roles to interpret and call the plays. He correctly asserts that you should not argue with the ref and just play the game. Good pressure got you the ball back and you earned it, go win the championship! How would this scenario change if it were from the perspective of the player who got the raw end of the deal? Would you all be happy about him or his coach complaining to the ref because the ball was not out on him. Isn’t that the right thing to do by your logic?

bryan from 118493 porter way OCTOBER 31, 2013
this is a good way to show sportmanship

Chris Harmon from Nevada SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
In 5th grade we had this happen to us. Our coach saw the play, asked us if we wanted to win on a technicality, and we passed the ball into the other team and set up our defense. I hated losing that game, least of all by one shot, but it was the right thing to do. It wasn't a championship game, but it was the end and we needed the ball. The point of this is: you can always do the right thing. And remember it 25 years later.

Drew from New Orleans SEPTEMBER 4, 2013
Great commercial! While understanding that they where in the heat of the game and the coach may have been saving his speech for later, I would have liked to have heard the coach say, "Good Call" to Alex in public (as opposed to after everyone had already left).

Franco from Virginia AUGUST 16, 2013
You are missing the point. They fabricate the scenario clearly enough for the mere mortal to understand what happened on that play and evaluate Alex's honest response. Not for us to replay it in slow motion and discover that they didn't set it up right. or to figure out who wins the game. The ref's response to Alex's admission is so irrelevant that it is not even shown. This is not a matter of basketball technicalities much less about this particular play. its about Alex' integrity. He saw a bad call that went in his favor and didn't just take it. had tried to correct it. I think this is a very good commercial.

dvt from So Cal AUGUST 8, 2013
I would have rather seen the subject about trash talking which gets to the issue of sportsmanship much more than how this commercial addressed it. As a sports official, and in reality, regardless of the player admitting to touching the ball, the ref did not see it and therefore the refs call stands. I have had players make admissions similar to the circumstances of this commercial and my reply is, "Thank you for your honesty. I missed it, but the call still stands." It was a nice try, but the issue of sportsmanship could have been addressed in a different form, one that is more realistic.

Annie from thomasville alabama AUGUST 6, 2013
Yes you shoud be nice to people even if you shoudnt be that way we all win. Exept bad people they woud be bad and take advantaje of you. Morrally if your nice it will be better.

John from Florida JULY 26, 2013
I love the honesty and wish every athlete played with this kind of integrity. However, as a High School ref, we don't change our call 1 minute after it is made. If the player had spoken up right when the play occured, that's one thing. Waiting until the timeout is over is another. Even if the player had spoken up right away, I probably would not have changed my call. If you replay the video and stop it at the 15 second mark, you can see that "Alex" was looking toward the path the ball was traveling from. There was an offensive player right behind Alex who also had his arms out to catch the pass. The ball looks like it deflects off the offensive players arm after Alex grazes it. Alex was in no position to see if that offensive player touched the ball after he did. The referee was.

Steven George Jr. from Ohio APRIL 2, 2013
Thanks everyone this commercial was a blast and fun. To see us do this in 06-07 and the commercial still gets played, its crazy, I can show my kids the differnet projects i was able to do. I'm the Teammate1 "Nice Going Alex" "Alex" & I are actually blood cousins. He now is playing ball in Cali and Im in Ohio. Thanks for watching everyone!!

ALEX from NEW YORK MARCH 26, 2013
ITS GOOD

Jolene from Las Vegas FEBRUARY 3, 2013
The opposing coach was my student in Ohio, and the kid is his son. So proud of them.

CJ from Monaca DECEMBER 8, 2012
The commercial would have meant more to me if the coach commended the player in front of his teammates instead of waiting for them to walk away and then speak to the player.

Jordan from School, Utah OCTOBER 2, 2012
Pretty sure this was shot at my Junior High? Brockbank? Can anyone confirm this?

Mother of three from Wisconsin SEPTEMBER 27, 2012
The recent Packers game shows why we need to revive these values.

Bubba Mcdaniel from Dothan SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
I think he made the right call, but I'm pretty sure his team was really mad!

Dan from Mi AUGUST 19, 2012
I did this once. Told the ref I touched the ball when he ruled it for the other team. It wasn't for a championship, but I have never regretted doing the right thing.

Johnny"O" from West Virginia MARCH 13, 2012
Answer to the comment posted by Fred Rowe from S/E Ohio.....that was the other teams coach that was unhappy with the call. If you replay it you will see that he has on a white shirt and Alex's coach has on a blue shirt. I will be honest with you, I thought the exact same thing when I first watched it and had to see it over to catch the difference.

Flora from Virginia Beach FEBRUARY 17, 2012
@Fred Rowe: As I understand it, the point is to be honest no matter what. Even if the adults are showing disgust. The coach was having mixed feelings. That's a human reaction and adults are imperfect like anyone else :)Great job on the video!

Kyle J from Lexington OH FEBRUARY 7, 2012
I Like This One Nice Job.... Honesty Pass It On

Chris S from Indianapolis JANUARY 19, 2012
I would love to show this video to my youth basketball league that i coach. its not on youtube though

Alvinandrewlester from Cordova, TN DECEMBER 29, 2011
I very thoroughly enjoyed this video I believe if there where more videos such as this then people would view it more positively and be more open about speaking up as well as taking responsibility for their actions.

Fred Rowe from S/E Ohio DECEMBER 21, 2011
Nice sentiments; but I get hung up on the disconnect when I see Alex's coach act as if he is upset by the fact the ref just made the call indicating that the opposing team had just turned the ball over. It was their ball why is he indicating discussed.Thats not the correct reaction he should be showing. Some one lost track of the story line as this video was being put together. Your hearts were in the right spot. Fred

jhon from Skyforest, California DECEMBER 6, 2011
Still one of your greatest spots! What a powerful message for our troubled youth! This should be shown in every school in America! Gripping!

trinity.j from alliston OCTOBER 20, 2011
This commercial reminds me of when I tried out for the basketball team but I didn’t make it. Yet you feel good even if you don’t make it. A lot of people didn’t make it and I bet that they still felt good even if they were sweaty and exhausted. They still should feel good about themselves.

Taylor.Q from Alliston OCTOBER 20, 2011
My connection is when I was playing soccer , and the same thing happened to one of my teammates and she admitted it. She used good sportsmanship just like Alex did.

Michael from Chicago OCTOBER 18, 2011
Great ad and great message!

Tony from Idaho SEPTEMBER 21, 2011
I'm a Ref and I think this needs to be played in every school and before every game.

marina from kanata SEPTEMBER 15, 2011
i think he made the right choice in what to do because that was a choice of fairness, and just because it is an important moment doesn't mean that you should be unfair. When you make an act of kindness you get rewarded in return, whether its a complement or a "good choice"

Nathan from Canada SEPTEMBER 15, 2011
He did the right thing. Good player.

J i m b o from FLA SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
Funniest video i've ever seen by far

Kay L from NC JUNE 18, 2011
The praise by the coach was good but why did he wait to tell the player this after all his peers had left to back to the game - all the players should have heard this message.

Cc from USA JUNE 6, 2011
While watching this video, my mind has been opened up to the concept of sportsmanship. I can't help but to tear up in this. Thank you for such an inspirational, thought out video.

David C from Maine APRIL 23, 2011
To win without honor is no win. This video is a comfort to an old man who is weary of trash talk and rule bending.

Jhon from Skyforest, California MARCH 8, 2011
I love this particular spot! Tremendous acting, with an equally tremendous message. I get choked up when the coach says "Good call." Every youth team ought to watch this before every game! Thank you guys!

Chris C from Odessa, TX FEBRUARY 6, 2011
Powerful. Thanks! Will probably become my favorite website.

judith w from chicago JANUARY 10, 2011
Where is the Live Life video featuring I Hope You Dance? It's my very favorite.

Joan Mc Leod from South Carolina JANUARY 6, 2011
Thank you for these powerful messages that I first saw on FOX TV

Debbie H from Chino Hills, CA JANUARY 4, 2011
Thanks for your awesome organization. I love every one of your commercials/precious messages and am grateful for their existence. Please keep up the good work and God bless you.

Justice B from Barrie OCTOBER 28, 2010
I think it was a great act of sportsmanship an Alex's part. Even though his team didn't get the ball they can sill win the game.

Mike S. from Burlington VT SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
I have passed this on because in a time where so many are fixated on winning, the lesson of sportsmanship must be passed to our kids. Good Call.

Blake, K. from Denver, Colorado, USA SEPTEMBER 9, 2010
Not only is this message displaying sportsmanship but it is also displaying integrity, ownership, as well as honesty. The life lessons to be learned in the messages The Foundation For A Better Life displays are countless.

Marion Y from NC JULY 30, 2010
Wonderful message and I will pass it on! I am going to include a link to this spot in an upcoming article on my blog. (www.bestIhave.com)

marie gold v. from philippines JUNE 23, 2010
I'm just an ordinary girl, but I learned a lot from this video clip and the value that makes a wonderful sign. Too bad people now don't value this anymore.

Bobby H. from Williamsburg, VA MAY 24, 2010
What a shame that this and many other values have disappeared from our world today.

Awudu Mohammed Zia-ulhaq from Ghana, West Africa FEBRUARY 13, 2010
Hello, I want to play basketball but I don't have sponsorship. My family is poor. I decided to visit this site to look for the foundation, I watch this game Basketball spot on CNN in my country, Ghana in west Africa. I am so happy with the foundation, I want to join it.

Rob S. from Broken Arrow, OK FEBRUARY 4, 2010
Doing the right thing is always the right thing. I am a basketball coach and I believe that teaching character is more important than teaching basketball. Great Video.

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