Why do we pretend everyone deserves the same spot in the picture?

The team lines up for the photo. Everyone smiles.

Even the one who missed six passes in a row.

Even the one who showed up ten minutes late but made sure his cap looked “cool.”

Coach says: “Smile, we’re a team!”

And everyone smiles… equally.

Only that on the court, equality fades faster than sweat after the game.

In team sports, equality is a beautiful lie.

Not everyone gets the same playing time. Not everyone leads. And not everyone works as hard.

But somewhere along the way, we’ve learned it’s “mean” to admit that.

Here’s the truth: performance isn’t measured in smiles — it’s measured in effort.

In how much weight you carry when no one’s cheering.

In whether you rise or complain when things get unfair.

A team is where chances are equal, but results never will be. And that’s perfectly fine. We don’t deserve the same applause. We deserve respect for our different efforts.

Would you rather be treated “equally” — or treated fairly?

Fair doesn’t mean equal.

Some earn what others expect.

Equal treatment? Not equal commitment.

Benched today doesn’t mean forgotten.

Respect is earned, not distributed.

Performance starts where fairness ends.