Be like Mike?

It's a tough week to have my name. I remember in the 90's when everyone wanted to be like Mike. That's when the folks at Gatorade were criticized for dropping millions on an advertising campaign with Michael Jordan. The "be like Mike" ad campaign was a hit. Gatorade got quite a payoff in exposure and it seemed everyone did want to be like Mike by drinking Gatorade. That was then, this is now.

As a father of a teenage boy now I wonder who do I look to as role models in sports? This week they are tough to find. And the one's that carry my name aren't doing the other Mikes of the world any favors.

I certainly don't want my son to be like Mike, if Mike is Michael Vick. Nothing has been proven in court, and you are Innocent until proven guilty in our society, but the allegations against Vick are giving professional football a black eye.

Then there is Michael Rasmussen. He was sent packing from the Tour DE France after allegations of doping. Growing up in Southern California I used to look up to athletes. They were role models! Men of character on the field guys like Sandy Koufax.

I had the good fortune to work with a guy who started at quarterback in the first ever Super Bowl. He also started in the fourth super bowl, and won the MVP honors. Len Dawson was and still is a great guy!

Lenny was down to earth. He's just as bothered by the state of affairs in sports. Lenny knew that when he suited up he didn't just represent a team, he represented a city. A city he has come to love, and a place he still calls home. He used to tell me after the season was over the ballplayers would have to find second jobs to keep food on the table. In case you are wondering the most popular job was working at a car dealership. Who wouldn't want to buy a car off one of the star players? Now the players make enough to own the dealerships. I think along the way both the players and our society have lost the way. And the kids of today have lost something too. I don't get the feeling that my son Trevor looks up to any athletes. He has players he likes, but it's not like when I was young. I used to love going to Dodgers Stadium to take in games.

I don't hear my son clamoring for that. Instead he wants to go to the movies. He finds his heroes on the big screen. If you want a hero today it's Harry, Harry Potter.