On the TUNNEYSIDE of SPORTS May 4, 2015 #539 Up next…Role Models
After Further Review…Are we experiencing a dearth of role models today? How vital are they in the interplay between the world of sports and society? Can we build a nation’s character without benefit of strong, positive examples to follow? What are the criteria for their selection? In Chapter 21 of my book “Impartial Judgment,” I made this statement: “We all need mentors and I had the best.” I was referring first to my father, whose behavior and achievements I have always sought to emulate.
This responsibility is a natural one for parents to assume and many, like my dad, meet it willingly and selflessly. But many don’t or are not available, resulting in a vacuum of guidance for too many young people. When this occurs, alternative role models are called for, and they need not be from the same family, ethnicity, or culture. What matters is personal integrity, and dedication to the work required for success in all of life’s pursuits. I was fortunate to have the advice of many others that crossed my path.
When I met Jack Roosevelt Robinson (“Jackie” #42) at the age of nine, was it acceptable for me to model the behavior of a man I so admired? Of course it was! A book titled, “Reach”, now on the market and edited by my friend the former NAACP President Ben Jealous, contains real-life stories about black men both famous and not-so-famous who overcame very arduous backgrounds to succeed in today’s world. Is this book intended solely for black men? Absolutely not! Or men only? Again, no! The path to success follows a universal map.
The belief and philosophy of the TunneySide is that behavior is the model, not ethnicity or gender. One doesn’t have to be an Andrew Luck, Derek Jeter or Jimmy Rollins, or even in sports, to be admired. Rollins, “J-Roll” as he is called, now the Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop, was the 2014 Roberto Clemente Award recipient along with Chicago White Sox shortstop Paul Konerko. Rollins is black, Konerko is white, and Clemente was Puerto Rican. The award, shared last year for the first time, is given annually to a major league baseball player for his exemplary sportsmanship on the field and his community involvement off the diamond.
Will you select your role models with no regard for their gender or ethnicity, but for the quality of their behavior?
To contact Jim go to www.jimtunney.com or email him at jim@jimtunney.com.
Three of Jim’s books: (“101 Best of TunneySide of Sports,” “It’s the Will, Not the Skill,” and “Impartial Judgment”) are available at the value price of $40.–$20. off the list price. Please email him at the above address.
