The Culture of Judgment: If You Can’t Do It, Stop Running Your Mouth

Sports were built on respect: for the game, for the grind, for the people who put in the work. But that respect is disappearing fast. Today, athletes at every level from kids in youth leagues to pros on national TV are under attack from critics who couldn’t last five minutes in their shoes. Parents, fans, and keyboard warriors feel entitled to rip apart performances they could never replicate. Here’s the truth: If you’ve never played at that level, you have zero credibility. None. So why do so many people think they do?

The Rise of Armchair Experts

Social media turned every couch critic into a self-proclaimed analyst. A missed shot? A bad game? Suddenly, it’s trending, and the athlete becomes a punching bag for people who’ve never even laced up. Let’s be real, watching sports doesn’t make you an expert. It makes you a spectator. There’s a massive gap between sitting on your couch and stepping onto the ice, field, or court under pressure.

Example: After the 2022 World Cup, Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest soccer player ever, was still criticized for “not running enough.” By people who couldn’t sprint 50 yards without gasping for air. The irony is laughable.

Would you tell a surgeon how to operate if you’ve never held a scalpel? Would you lecture a pilot on flying if you’ve never touched a cockpit? Then why do people think they can tear down athletes who’ve spent years mastering their craft?

Why People Judge

It’s ego. It’s insecurity. It’s the illusion of expertise. People confuse being a fan with being qualified to critique. Spoiler alert: You’re not. And this toxic mindset is bleeding into youth sports, where kids are quitting because they’re terrified of making mistakes. Instead of building confidence, we’re breeding fear, all because someone who can’t do it themselves thinks they have the right to judge.

Stat: According to the National Alliance for Youth Sports, 70% of kids quit organized sports by age 13, and one of the top reasons is pressure and criticism from parents and coaches.

The Impact

For pros, criticism comes with the paycheck, but that doesn’t make it fair. For kids and teens, it’s brutal. Anxiety. Burnout. Walking away from the game they love. And here’s the kicker: Most critics couldn’t perform at even 10% of the level they’re tearing down. If you can’t do it, maybe shut up and let those who can do their thing.

A Reality Check

Before you fire off that tweet or yell from the stands, ask yourself: Could I do what they’re doing? If the answer is no, then maybe your opinion isn’t worth much. Respect the grind. Respect the sacrifice. Respect the fact that athletes are doing something you can’t.

Closing Shot

Sports should inspire, not divide. They should be about admiration, not judgment. So here’s the challenge: If you can’t do it yourself, stop tearing down those who can. Or better yet, step on the field and show us how it’s done.