“To succeed you need to find something to hold on to, something to
motivate you, something to inspire you.”
This weekend was All-Star weekend in the NBA and it was
filled with dunks, tricks, celebrities and just about everybody involved
screaming out “LOOK AT ME” with their antics.My kids and many others seemed to enjoy it although each time I watched
and had to listen to Charles Barkley speak, I got nauseous.This morning while watching ESPN, my faith in
professional sports was restored as I saw the story of Super Bowl MVP Drew
Brees’ week after he won the Super Bowl.Between Letterman, Ellen, Oprah, he visited children in the hospital and
marched in parades, Brees came across as one of the most humble and genuine superstars
I have seen in a long time.Let me
stress the word genuine.
Anyone who watched the end of the Super Bowl or has a copy
of last week’s Sports Illustrated saw Brees on the cover celebrating with his
young son and wife.The Saints brought
joy to a city that has been through hell and back with many areas still suffering
from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.But for a few weeks in February 2010, people there got to celebrate all
that was good in their lives as Brees and the Saints gave them something to believe
in.Even more impressive was the way in
which the city celebrated after they won as we heard and saw little to no
footage of destruction (much to the newscasts disappointment no doubt).
Like all sports superstars and celebrities that capture
fame, time will tell how these people conduct themselves when they no longer
win, fame subsides or they are out of the spotlight.The Winter Olympics have begun and we already
see obscure Americans being thrust into the media spotlight as they win a
medal.Will it be too much?Will they become the next Mike Eruzione who
made the Choice to not turn to professional hockey after winning gold with his
hockey brothers in 1980 and has had a great post Olympic life and career?Or will these current stars take the path of Michael
Phelps or Bode Miller where their Olympic fame lead them to the celebrity party
scene and pictures being worth a thousand words as well as some embarrassment?
The other key word I used above to describe Brees (humble)
should be an indicator to where he goes from here.Among other things in his life, Brees got hurt
early in his NFL career and was not wanted by the team that drafted him; which led
to him landing in New Orleans.Add to
this, his mother, who he did not have a great relationship with, committed
suicide a few years ago.Through all of
this, Brees seems grounded and probably realizes the same thing I do every day
I wake up and look at my fantastic wife and kids – I have a great life with
everything I need!
Our opening quote
from NFL legend (and Super Bowl winner and Hall of Famer) Tony Dorsett seems to
apply to Drew Brees don’t you think?
