Tim Tebow: Can He Make It In The NFL?

In perusing the internet looking for various sports stories of interest, I came across several conversations about Tim Tebow and what others think he can and can't accomplish. This young quarterback from Florida is currently facing the daunting task of silencing his critics and becoming a premiere NFL quarterback, something I believe to be a goal of his based on what I have read.

Now, I certainly do not claim myself to be an expert on football (especially quarterbacks), something I am sure my colleagues where I teach, and coached, would be quick to point out given half the chance. However, I do believe I have some insight into what it takes to overcome adversity in athletics (Becoming a True Champion). Tim's story, still at its beginning, just hits home with me.

The Tiger Woods Apology: Please, Enough is Enough!!!

Friday, February 19th at 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time, Tiger Woods held a press conference to apologize to everyone. My question, Why?

Seriously..., why is this news? Why does the media, or anyone else for that matter, continue to show such deep interest in a story like this? The amount of air time and attention this whole situation has received is simply absurd. Is this really something that ABC, NBC, CBS, ESPN, etc., etc. should glamorize in the way that they have? Are we saying, through the enormity of this coverage, that this apology (something that is really between him and his wife) is so noteworthy and newsworthy that it trumps anything else out there?

Steve Weatherford From the New York Jets Endorses “Becoming a True Champion”

I was happy to receive an enthusiastic endorsement from Steve Weatherford, current punter for the New York Jets. Here is what Steve had to say after reading Becoming a True Champion:

Interview With a National Gymnastics Champion, Elite College Ball Player, & Major League Ball Player

(Picture from
USAG Website)
In keeping with my purpose of giving young athletes, parents, and coaches valuable information about youth sports, I have planed several interview chats with some highly successful athletes. These competitors have been through it all.

Texas Rangers Josh Hamilton: Great Comeback Story????

A conversation between myself and my daughter’s fiancé regarding character (or lack thereof) and sports, possible endorsees for my forthcoming book Becoming a True Champion – which certainly has a focus on character and integrity as a foundational principle, and the state of affairs with many elite and professional athletes today, prompted several questions. If an athlete, or any person for that matter, makes a poor character choice, a mistake (i.e. cheating, illicit drug use, etc.) are they destined to live out the rest of their life as an individual known for being short on character and integrity? Is it possible to rebuild the trust lost through a change in direction? If so, does this become a solid and respectable example for others, especially kids, earning back that previous loss of character? Basically, is there any redemption for such an individual?

Great Article on the Pervasiveness of Steroid Use in Sports

I apologize to readers for not posting the 2nd installment to my Specialization in Youth Sports, Good or Bad article (something I will do late next week), but I came across a piece that references true experts, like Dr. Yesalis, in a discussion regarding steroid use that I thought was good and important to direct attention to. The title of the blog article is PSU Prof Yesalis and "Game of Shadows" authors Williams and Fainaru-Wada on steroid panel at Penn State; Yesalis says 95% of NFL players use HGH and it is from an online blog journal called Steroid Nation.

Steroids in Professional Sports and Youth Sports, WHY?

It is in the wake of the Mitchell Report, which sheds light on the pervasive use of performance-enhancing substances (Steroids, HGH, etc.) in professional baseball, that I direct this blog's attention to an article in the Sports Parenting e-magazine titled Denial, Apathy, and Win-at-All-Costs Sports Culture Fuels Steroid Abuse by Bruce Svare, Ph.D, http://www.parentsforgoodsports.org/iPages.tpl?pg=articles/steroidAbuse.

In his article, Dr. Svare provides good insight into the “why” behind steroid use in sports today and suggests an approach that will decrease and deter the risk of their use by young athletes.