A New Age of Sports Role Models

I'll never forget being caught up in the home run battle between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sossa in 1998. Both seemed like great guys, and their battle was great for the sport of baseball. Or when Tiger Woods, in 1997, won his first Masters Tournament, and was quick to hug his Dad. Or when Pete Rose broke Ty Cobb's all time hit record in 1985. I marveled at the talent of players like Michael Vick, Alex Rodriguez, and Jose Canseco. Okay, we all know where this is going. But, for various amounts of time, all of these Athletes were role models to millions of kids, and sometimes, like me,even adults.

As we all know now, we were mistaken. Although their die hard fans will swear that they are still worthy of our adoring eyes, we know the truth. So, now what? Where can we find another role model? Hollywood is out, we know that. You can roll the dice, and take a chance on an Actor or Actress, until they drive drunk, or their home made video pops up on the Internet.

While I'm not saying that there are not any Athletes or Hollywood types worthy of our affections, I recently saw a group of people that seem like the genuine articles. They each spend years of their lives practicing, with the help of their Parents, to become the best they can be. Many battle isolation, injuries, and self doubt. For what? So they can maybe, just maybe, stand on a podium, with a medal around their neck, and proudly listen to our National Anthem. They don't spit during the song, or pick their nose, or look around at the crowd, they do something we all should. They cry with national pride.

Most of them will not become a household name. Most of them won't profit millions from their accomplishments. We probably won't even remember some of their names in ten years. But, if today or tomorrow, you goggle the names of people like Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso, Johnny Spillane, Shaun White, Shani Davis, or Apolo Ohno, you will find today's role models. Watch all of their interviews with your kids, or grandkids, and read their stories.

While we can't always trust everything that we read or see, I can assure you of this. All of these kids, or actually young adults, have represented our Country in fine fashion. Sportsmanship is still in their vocabulary, team results are still their biggest goals, and the appreciation for those who helped get them there is very apparent. The first thing most of them looked for, after winning their medal, was their families.

Winning an Olympic Medal may not go down as their lives greatest achievement. For hundreds of their other teammates, disappointment was tempered by the hugs of the winners. But this group, more than any other I have ever witnessed, is unified in the spirit the games were designed to shine through. Hats off to our U.S. Olympic Committee, for picking such a great group of kids.

Short term role models can be much better than the long term ones, if recent history is any kind of teacher. So, sit down with your children, or grandchildren, and share some of the stories of this group. How cool will your kid be at school when he is telling the story of Lindsey Vonn? Don't know her story? Happy goggling!