🏀Sports Storytelling Unit 6 – Athlete Profiles and Interviews

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Athlete profiles provide an in-depth look at an athlete's life, career, and personality beyond their on-field performance
• Human interest stories focus on the personal aspects of an athlete's life, such as their background, challenges, and motivations
• Narrative structure in athlete profiles includes elements like character development, conflict, and resolution to engage the audience
• Angle refers to the specific focus or perspective taken in an athlete profile (childhood experiences, overcoming adversity)
• Profiles can be written in various styles, such as feature articles, Q&A interviews, or multimedia pieces combining text, images, and video
• Athlete branding involves crafting a public image and reputation for an athlete through strategic storytelling and media appearances
• Evergreen content remains relevant and engaging long after its initial publication, making it valuable for repurposing and resharing

Types of Athlete Profiles

• Comeback stories showcase an athlete's journey to overcome significant setbacks, injuries, or personal challenges (Tiger Woods' return to golf after scandals and injuries)
• Underdog profiles highlight athletes who have defied expectations, beaten the odds, or achieved success despite limited resources or support
• Rising star profiles introduce up-and-coming athletes, chronicling their early successes and potential for future greatness (Zion Williamson's rise to NBA stardom)
• Veteran profiles pay tribute to established athletes nearing the end of their careers, reflecting on their achievements, legacy, and impact on their sport
  • May include retirement announcements or post-career plans
• Off-the-field profiles delve into an athlete's personal life, interests, and endeavors outside of their sport (LeBron James' philanthropic work and business ventures)
• Tragedy-to-triumph profiles depict athletes who have overcome significant personal loss, illness, or hardship to achieve success in their sport (Alex Smith's return from a life-threatening leg injury)

Interview Techniques for Athletes

• Building rapport with the athlete is crucial for creating a comfortable and open environment that encourages genuine responses
  • Engage in small talk, show genuine interest, and find common ground
• Conducting background research on the athlete helps inform questioning and demonstrates preparedness and respect for their story
• Open-ended questions encourage athletes to provide detailed, thoughtful responses and can lead to unexpected insights ("Can you describe the moment you realized you wanted to pursue a professional career in this sport?")
• Active listening involves fully engaging with the athlete's responses, asking follow-up questions, and allowing space for reflection
• Observing nonverbal cues, such as body language and tone of voice, can provide additional context and emotional depth to the athlete's story
  • Noting these cues can help inform the writing process and create a more vivid profile
• Establishing trust and confidentiality is essential for athletes to feel comfortable sharing personal experiences and vulnerabilities
• Adapting to the athlete's communication style and preferences can help create a more natural, free-flowing conversation (adjusting pace, formality, or question types)

Structuring an Athlete Profile

• The lead should hook the reader's attention, establish the profile's angle, and provide a compelling glimpse into the athlete's story
• Chronological structure follows the athlete's journey from childhood to present day, highlighting key moments and turning points along the way
• Thematic structure organizes the profile around central themes or characteristics, such as resilience, leadership, or personal growth (Serena Williams' profile centered on her role as a trailblazer for women and athletes of color)
• Incorporating quotes from the athlete, coaches, teammates, and family members adds depth, credibility, and emotional resonance to the profile
  • Use block quotes for longer, stand-alone statements
• Descriptive details help bring the athlete's story to life, creating vivid scenes and allowing readers to connect on a sensory level (describing the sights, sounds, and emotions of a pivotal game or moment)
• The conclusion should tie together the profile's themes, reflect on the athlete's impact and legacy, and leave a lasting impression on the reader
  • May include a forward-looking statement or rhetorical question

Storytelling Elements in Profiles

• Establishing the athlete as a relatable, multi-dimensional character helps readers form an emotional connection and investment in their story
• Conflict, whether internal (self-doubt) or external (obstacles, opponents), creates tension and drives the narrative forward
• Pacing the story effectively maintains reader engagement, alternating between high-stakes moments and quieter, reflective scenes
• Sensory details immerse the reader in the athlete's world, creating a vivid, memorable reading experience (the roar of the crowd, the smell of sweat and grass)
• Dialogue, when used selectively, can reveal character, advance the plot, and create a sense of immediacy and authenticity
• The hero's journey archetype, featuring stages like the call to adventure, trials and tribulations, and ultimate triumph, can provide a compelling narrative framework
• Themes of perseverance, sacrifice, and personal growth can resonate with readers and transcend the specifics of the athlete's story

Ethical Considerations

• Respecting the athlete's privacy and boundaries is paramount, particularly when discussing sensitive personal matters
  • Obtain explicit consent before publishing any information that may be considered private or confidential
• Fact-checking and verifying information with multiple sources ensures accuracy and credibility
• Avoiding sensationalism or exploitation, especially when covering stories of tragedy or hardship, maintains journalistic integrity and compassion
• Disclosing any potential conflicts of interest, such as personal relationships or financial incentives, promotes transparency and trust with the audience
• Providing proper context and nuance helps prevent misrepresentation or oversimplification of complex issues (addressing both the triumphs and shortcomings of an athlete's career)
• Giving the athlete a platform to respond to any controversial or sensitive topics covered in the profile demonstrates fairness and balance
• Considering the long-term impact of the profile on the athlete's life and legacy, and weighing the public interest against potential harm

Media Platforms for Athlete Profiles

• Print media, such as newspapers and magazines, offer a traditional platform for in-depth, long-form profiles
• Online publications provide opportunities for multimedia storytelling, incorporating elements like video interviews, interactive timelines, and data visualizations (The Players' Tribune)
• Social media allows for direct, unfiltered communication between athletes and fans, enabling athletes to shape their own narratives and engage with their audience
  • Athletes can share behind-the-scenes content, personal reflections, and advocacy messages
• Podcasts and video series offer intimate, conversational settings for athletes to share their stories and personalities (ESPN's 30 for 30 podcast)
• Documentaries and feature films provide immersive, visually compelling platforms for exploring an athlete's life and impact (Hoop Dreams, The Last Dance)
• Athlete-driven content platforms, such as The Players' Tribune and Uninterrupted, give athletes greater control over their stories and the opportunity to address topics that matter to them
• Collaborations between athletes and journalists or content creators can result in innovative, impactful storytelling that resonates with a wide audience

Practical Application and Examples

• "The Unlikely Rise of Giannis Antetokounmpo" (ESPN) traces the Greek Freak's journey from poverty in Athens to NBA superstardom, highlighting his work ethic, humility, and close family bonds
• "Simone Biles: A Legend in the Making" (TIME) profiles the gymnast's early struggles, training regimen, and mental health advocacy, positioning her as a role model for resilience and self-care
• "The Redemption of Tiger Woods" (The New Yorker) explores the golfer's fall from grace and subsequent comeback, delving into his personal demons, physical challenges, and the power of second chances
• "Naomi Osaka: The People's Champion" (GQ) examines the tennis star's cultural impact, activism, and the pressure of representing her Japanese and Haitian heritage on the global stage
• "The Unflinching Courage of Colin Kaepernick" (GQ) chronicles the quarterback's journey from NFL prospect to social justice icon, spotlighting his protests against racial injustice and the personal sacrifices he made for his beliefs
• "Chloe Kim: Ready to Soar" (ESPN) profiles the snowboarding prodigy's rise to Olympic gold, her close relationship with her father, and her efforts to challenge stereotypes and inspire young Asian American athletes
• "The Miraculous Life of Kobe Bryant" (Sports Illustrated) pays tribute to the basketball legend's career, work ethic, and legacy, while also grappling with the complexities and controversies of his life off the court