New Heroics

Peter King, one of my top 3 sports writers, put the following paragraph in one of his SI columns.

"I think with this being the month of graduations all over the country, I'd like to give a nod to Derrick Brooks, the good-guy Tampa Bay linebacker who long ago put his money where his principles were. Brooks for years has been taking underprivileged kids and showing them there's a different side to life -- an educated side. He started taking adolescents on college tours and to places like Washington, D.C., and Africa, just to show them the world and to let them know there was a chance for them to become intelligent, contributing members to society. So this month, the first "Brooks Bunch'' graduate walked down the aisle at Florida State -- Natasha Spencer. She had gone on Brooks Bunch trips to Atlanta, Washington, D.C., the first Africa visit in 1997 and a trip to see the western United States. She graduated Florida State with a 3.6 GPA and plans to go overseas for a medical mission before pursuing medical school. Hearty congratulations to Brooks and to his protg."

I am very much impressed with Derrick Brooks. Here is a guy who is making multi-millions a year, is a "sports hero," but also values education to the point of actually putting his money where his mouth is.

Imagine how many more students would stay in school, would value education, and open up vistas of possibility for themselves if even 10% of all the biggest sports stars in every sport would do the same as Brooks. Now imagine if some singers, actors, and other public figures would do the same.

Education is currently one of the least valued things in America. And this lack of focus by families, the government, and individuals is already biting us on the ass. Imagine how far behind America will fall in another 10 years.

Keep it up, Derrick Brooks.