The guy not only is a damn good writer, but "gets it" - what is really important and in the world of multimillion dollar contracts and business deals that sports really is just a game and the people that play them are really lucky. Some of the lucky few not only are true hall of famers in ability, but in character as well...
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3930609
Not to say that Elway is a transformative character - we all have our flaws. But if anything else, he embodies in some aspects of his life the sort of person we would like to be. That is why years ago, the coke commercial with Mean Joe Green sparks not only memories but touches our psyche - the warrior ethos of a football player taking time to give back to someone totally unexpectedly. Some say the extension of that into the celebrity culture has sent us down a path of destruction we are on today... The difference between most hollywood actors and most sports athletes, is that for at least today on the sports field there isn't a movement to elevate everyone's "self worth"....professional sports teams still lose.
Elway lost four straight superbowls before finally succeeding. The fact that he hasn't acted like Barry Bonds, been the egomaniac that A-Roid has been, or that he has understood that while he is undeniably human that there are some 13 year old boys who worship him as a god incarnate. I would throw Charles "The Mouth" Barkley in there as well. Granted, back in the day he claimed he wasn't a role model. But in failing publicly and getting arrested for DWI he could have chosen to fight, lawyer up, or deny. Instead, like many adults that take care of their personal affairs every day, he admitted to his faults, apologized to his fans and took his punishment. Whether or not he learns from this is immaterial - the cynic will always point to a relapse not as a symptom of deeper problems, but as indication that previous apologies were lip service....maybe so. But in these two microcosms of life - the good and the bad - we see not only our heroes falling, but our heroes living up to the ideals of their fans. Proof that there is good in the world. Refreshing....
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