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The Good Guys in Sports: A Spotlight (1 Viewer)

General Malaise

General Malaise

Footballguy
Too often, the headlines in sports are negative.  Arrests, assaults, suspensions, cheating, injuries, firings the list goes on.  In this thread, the focus will be on the good guys and gals in sports.  The people who use their celebrity and fortune to help others.

I'm going to start with this excellent piece from the Kansas City Star's Sam Mellinger about the KC Royals giving a grieving family a much needed night away from their emotional anguish.

From the article:  

When the Schwabs walked out to their car, loaded down with Royals gear, they felt like thieves. A few days later, a package arrived in the mail. Duffy sent the cleats he wore the game after meeting the Schwabs, writing a personal message to go with them. Scott rewatched the game they’d attended and noticed Dyson and some of his teammates had written “RIP Caleb” on their hats.

The family has so many tangible ways to remember that day. The gloves, the bats, the jerseys, the pictures. But what Scott remembers most are the feelings. Not just the smiles at a time when those were so hard to come by, but the emotion. Watching Hosmer walk into the room was nice, but seeing his sons’ faces when they saw Hosmer was unforgettable.

Scott has come to think of this as sports at their best. He’s in politics, and the debates over legislation can feel like the most important thing in the world.

But sometimes, the most important thing in the world is the least important thing in the world.

“We go back to that, every day,” Scott said. “We go back to the pictures, all the pictures. It gave us a break that we needed. And it was more than just a break.”
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 Share your good guys/gals in sports here.  This board could use some more positive stories, IMO.

 
The good news is this happens more often than you think, but it just doesn't make the top of the broadcast as often.

A couple months ago, the Redskins owner gave use of his plane to allow two 'skins to bring relief to Haiti after Hurricane Matthew.

Redskins players will make relief trip to hurricane-ravaged Haiti

John Keim
ESPN Staff Writer
Oct 9, 2016

Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder will send a plane of medical supplies to Haiti to help victims of Hurricane Matthew -- and they'll be delivered by two of his players with ties to the island, according to a team spokesman.

Receiver Pierre Garcon and defensive end Ricky Jean Francois -- both of Haitian descent -- will make the trip, senior vice president of communications Tony Wyllie said. Wyllie also will make the one-day trip. He was part of a relief effort Saturday in which Snyder's plane was used to deliver supplies to hurricane victims in the Bahamas.

Garcon has brought attention to relief efforts for Haiti in the past, notably for victims of an earthquake, which became a topic of discussion for him during the 2010 playoffs. He would display the Haitian flag as a reminder for others to donate. Jean Francois has performed charitable works there, too.

Garcon still has family on the island, though he said earlier in the week that all were safe. Garcon said his mother kept him up to date to let him know everyone was safe.

But, Garcon said, many weren't so lucky. There are believed to be at least 900 dead because of the storm. Many homes were decimated.

"When it starts to rain, the homes can't withstand just rain, let alone a hurricane," Garcon said.
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General Malaise said:
Too often, the headlines in sports are negative.  Arrests, assaults, suspensions, cheating, injuries, firings the list goes on.  In this thread, the focus will be on the good guys and gals in sports.  The people who use their celebrity and fortune to help others.

I'm going to start with this excellent piece from the Kansas City Star's Sam Mellinger about the KC Royals giving a grieving family a much needed night away from their emotional anguish.

From the article:  

 Share your good guys/gals in sports here.  This board could use some more positive stories, IMO.
Click to expand...
Yeah, this one was a great one. So proud of my Royals and the things they do in our local community. Glad you posted this for others to see.  :thumbup:

 
Chemical X said:
we've only found 2?
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How about Florida State Capella's Travis Rudolph?
 

While visiting Montford Middle School in Tallahassee on Tuesday with several of his Florida State football teammates, Seminoles wide receiver Travis Rudolph noticed a boy eating lunch by himself.

“I asked if I could sit next to him, and he said, ‘Sure, why not?’ ” Rudolph said Tuesday, per the Orlando Sentinel. “I just felt like we had a great conversation.

“He started off and was so open. He told me his name was Bo, and how much he loves Florida State, and he went from there.”

Someone snapped a photo of the two eating together and sent it to Bo’s mother, Leah Paske, who was overcome with gratitude for the nice gesture.

“A friend of mine sent this beautiful picture to me today and when I saw it with the caption ‘Travis Rudolph is eating lunch with your son’ I replied ‘who is that?’ He said ‘FSU football player,’ then I had tears streaming down my face,” she wrote on Facebook. “Travis Rudolph, a wide receiver at Florida State, and several other FSU players visited my sons school today. I’m not sure what exactly made this incredibly kind man share a lunch table with my son, but I’m happy to say that it will not soon be forgotten. This is one day I didn’t have to worry if my sweet boy ate lunch alone, because he sat across from someone who is a hero in many eyes. Travis Rudolph thank you so much, you made this momma exceedingly happy, and have made us fans for life! #travisrudolph #gonoles #FSU #autismmom #fansforlife”
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Considering what a putz Dan Snyder (owner of Redskins) is, him getting good publicity is worth 2x (at least!). ;)

Redskins Owner Dan Snyder Voted "Most Hated Owner" by Sports Illustrated



By Marina di Marzo


Redskins owner Dan Snyder has been voted the "most hated owner" in the NFL by Sports Illustrated.

The news comes as Snyder continues to face opposition for supporting the team's controversial name, which some say is a racial slur. Snyder is adamantly opposed to changing the name, telling USA Today, "We'll never change the name... NEVER" in 2013.

The Redskins have also been unsuccessful since Snyder purchased the team in 1999, said Sports Illustrated's rundown of "The Most Hated People, Places and Things in the NFL." 

"What has caused such strife between Snyder and Washington's fans?" the Sports Illustrated piece asks. "It starts with little things like Snyder charging them money to attend training camp -- a practice that's no longer occurring because of the backlash -- to the simpler explanation: He's been unable to produce a winner."

News4 contacted Dan Snyder's press liaison, who declined to comment.

Sports Illustrated said Snyder's closest competition for the "most hated" title would have been Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys.

"Unfortunately for Snyder, the disdain for him has grown to such a level that it transcends merely the NFL. He may now be the most hated owner in sports, period," Sports Illustrated writes.

The article even points to a discussion board on the Redskins' official online forums titled "Why is Dan Snyder the most hated person in franchise history?"

Snyder is also facing a battle against the federal U.S. District Court, which earlier this month ruled in favor of five Native Americans who wanted the team's trademark protection cancelled.

In June 2014, a ruling by the United States Patent and Trademark Office had cancelled six of the Washington Redskins federal trademark registrations. The recent ruling upheld the cancellation.

Other Sports Illustrated titles were "most hated team," which went to New England Patriots, and the "most hated fan base," which went to the Philadelphia Eagles.
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General Malaise said:
Matthew Stafford and his wife doing Christmas right.  Calvin Johnson making good use of his spare time as well.  Good guys on the Lions.
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What I liked about that is how uncomfortable Stafford was being asked about it in his presser. The only reason anyone knew about it is because his wife posted about it on IG. He donated $1M last year to renovate an inner city rec VC center, but that's almost like a PR stunt. Quiet little stuff like this really gives you insight into his heart attitude.

Calvin still spends a lot of time around the D, as does Barry. Love that they both planted where they played.

 
Andre Johnson buys a ton of toys for kids every year at Christmas.

This was a while ago, but Charles Woodson gave $2 million to Mott Hospital. He also has a great charity.

The entire Michigan athletic department has a very close relationship with Mott Children's Hospital. I know the football team sends players every week to hang out with the kids. Pretty sure most of the other teams do also.

ETA: This is a pretty good article about Michigan's relationship with Mott. Apparently Desmond Howard started it.

 
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I know people don't like Cam Newton, but he does a ton of good charity work.  Just google him. 

 
General Malaise said:
bigbottom said:
Similar to the last entry, here is my vote:

https://youtu.be/bSNr-1VmCi8

We received this video two days before Chance passed.  He watched the video and smiled.  After a lifetime of smiling, this one was his last. JJ will always be a hero to me and to my family.  As will @St. Louis Bob who made this happen.
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Not sure if you saw this or not.  BFred posted it earlier.  JJ Watt is an awesome human being.
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I posted this along with BFred's initial post in his thread. Picture of JJ with the kid and his mom. Great guy.

 
General Malaise said:
Not sure if you saw this or not.  BFred posted it earlier.  JJ Watt is an awesome human being.
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He really is. It's become popular to bag on him, but he is a genuinely philanthropic and giving person. It's not about the photo ops. He does a ton of stuff that rarely gets coverage. And the stuff he does is often significant - more than showing up for a photo or signing a jersey or donating some cash. 

Like this: http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=8734437

 
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