Role Models and Athletics...they DO exist!

In the midst of hearing about probation violations and new arrests, who is left on the 'role model' list? LeBron said it best..."I'm not a role model." Well, that's for damn sure. In a world filled with superstar athletes who keep doing dumb things, it's hard to find a real role model. Pacman Jones was recently arrested for disorderly conduct while intoxicated and resisting arrest (adding to an ever growing list of legal offenses). Even Hines Ward, who I always had a lot of respect for, was just arrested on a DUI charge. With the Plaxico Burresses, Kobe Bryants, LeBron Jameses, and Michael Vicks of the athletic world, it's hard to find a real role model in the mix.

Then again, for every guy who doesn't want to be labeled a role model, you'll find one who does. My thoughts go straight to Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Brian Waters, and Madieu Williams. Then there are the guys who have reformed in major ways to come around and are the embodiment of "full circle" stories you always hear about...case in point being Josh Hamilton who inspires me every time I hear his story. Speaking of being inspired, what about Tom Watson's performance at the British Open? He's 61 years old and he became the oldest man to make the cut. Now that is pretty amazing. A role model to keep playing? I'd certainly say so. Guys like Watson (and Phil Mickelson) sure make up for the tragedy in golf that became Tiger Woods (that fall from grace and 'role model-hood' is a whole different story).

More recently, I find myself going to the Women's World Cup soccer team. All of these ladies played exceedingly hard and fought to get to that final round against Japan. Despite a loss, they won in the eyes of many Americans. Events like this bring our country together - we all have one team, one goal, and cheer at the same time. It's a beautiful thing! The major stars of the team - Abby Wambach, Hope Solo, Lauren Cheney, Alex Morgan, and of course, Coach Pia Sundhage, have rocketed to the forefront of sporting news, giving little girls everywhere strong, athletic women to look up to.

Here's another story of doing good. Ex-NBA player Brian Grant has taken on the cause of finding a cure for Parkinson's Disease...something he suffers from. Or what about the inspiring story of Anthony Robles, who was honored at this year's ESPY awards with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance? Born without his right leg, Robles fought hard to prove his worth in the world of wrestling. As a champion on the Arizona State wrestling team, he did more than prove his worth. His motto? "Be unstoppable." This young man embodies everything Jimmy V stood for when he said "don't give up! Don't ever give up!" Speaking of Jim Valvano, he's the ultimate in inspiration and perseverance and may be the ultimate role model.

Here's the point I'm trying to make: even with all the negative that goes on in our major sporting leagues today, there are those who genuinely want to make a difference. There are those who want nothing more than to use their star power for good (aside from putting points on the board). Those are the men and women we should look to for inspiration (see my post on Eric LeGrand and overcoming against all odds). Without the negative we see in the papers, online, and on TV, we'd never really know how great the good guys are. With every arrest comes someone else who wants to combat that image. To me, that's what sports are all about -- the ability to take negative and turn it to positive. Pass it on.

Until next time...
-S

Overcoming.

I hear it all the time. My friend Kimberly actually said it today..."you don't want to live your life regretting not following your dreams." My dance coach always says that it is never too late to chase down the things that make you happy.

Ain't that the truth...

There are remarkable stories left and right about athletes who have given up everything to chase the dream of making it to the bigs, or perhaps even more inspiring, those who have lost everything and want to work back to it.

That brings me to a bigger point, what are we willing to risk, to give up, just to chase down a dream? For many, they sacrifice everything. Those who know me well can attest that I am hard headed and stubborn, and when it comes to pursuing something I'm passionate about...well you can't hold me back. Obnoxious?? Maybe, but I like to think it's one of my more redeeming qualities. At any rate, I feel inspired today to achieve my goals and to chase down my dreams til I can hold them in my hands.

I was just reading an update on Eric LeGrand's condition (which spurred all this, by the way). If you don't know, LeGrand was a stud defensive tackle for the Rutgers football team when tragedy struck. He went in for a major play last year against Army and was paralyzed from the shoulders down. Doctors initially told him that he'd never move again and would potentially be on a ventilator for the remainder of his life. Not only is he off a ventilator, he's slowly (but surely) regaining strength and beginning to have slow movement in his arms again. Pretty incredible. He said he'd walk again, and I'll be damned if he doesn't achieve it. Guys like Eric LeGrand inspire me to be better as a person, and continue to teach the age-old lesson of "never give up, always persevere."

What about Mike James? He may not be a household name, but the kid is a strong RB from the University of Miami. Last year, just a few days before Christmas, he lost his mother in a fatal car accident. Not only was this right before the holiday, but it was also mere days before UM was slated to play in the Sun Bowl. Adding onto an already emotional and tragic situation, the funeral was then planned for the day of the bowl game. Mike decided that he would play, in honor of his mother. I can't imagine what a difficult and emotional decision that had to have been. It's beautiful to me, though. His mother was his biggest fan. She was at every single UM game, cheering her little boy on as he ran into the end zone. She was his inspiration, and for that I think it was a beautifully touching thing that he played in that game. Despite a loss, he did what she would have wanted him to do. Pursue and chase his dream. Maybe it hits close to home for me, and maybe it holds extra weight because of the loss I've experienced with my own mother, but I remember hearing about James' story last year, and my heart breaking for him, and understanding every gut wrenching decision he made. That, my friends, is inspirational.

There are stories of tragedy to triumph and overcoming to achieve dreams everywhere you look -- Joannie Rochette competing in the 2010 Winter Olympics two days after her mom suddenly passed away to win a bronze, The Los Angeles Angels baseball team truly became one and went on to win the AL West in 2009 after their fallen teammate, Nick Adenhart, was killed in drunk driving accident; and of course, most famously, Michael Oher's rise from poverty to NFL star, by way of a loving adoptive family.

Regardless of the story, the bottom line stays the same: overcome and you shall succeed. I keep this in the back of my head, that even on the worst days, I can do this. Even if only one person finds value in my writing or sees my passion, then it's worth the exhaustive effort. Chasing dreams is something a lot of people are scared of...me included! If we can all take a cue from these athletes who have incredibly inspirational stories, then maybe we can all find our own level of success, no matter how big or small it may be.

Until next time...
S.