The last post, “having the world by the balls and throwing it away”, was a negative post on athletes that literally have the worl by the gonads and flush it down the toilet.  Since we all agree there are many of these morons out there, let’s move on.  I am in a people related business, and a salesman, therefore I try to look at life through a half full glass and think positively.  So let’s look at some of the athletes that we SHOULD be hearing more about, rather than T.O.’s $9,500 fine, or the latest Vikings player arrest.  Let’s take a look at the good citizens in sports.  I am sure there a ton of them out there, so I am sure I will miss some, but I am listing some here that I have read about and enjoyed.  I encourage anyone else with a story about an athlete who is a good citizen, and made the most out of their situation.  

I am starting with the hometown receiver here in Denver.  Rod Smith, an unheard of wideout from Central Missourri State, came into Denver, only to not make the roster and get placed on the practice squad.  While some would fold like a cheap suit, Rod worked even harder.  He sucked it up, said to himself “it’s just not my time” and worked his tail off.  He is now one of the best WR’s in the NFL.  If you went to every GM in the game, they would want Smith on their team.  Always producing, and on top of that a good citizen in the community.  He was nominated for  the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year award, which celebrates being a good citizen off the field.  He is well respected and is never on the news for possession of cocaine or getting caught with a gun in his car.  He is getting older and instead of ####ing about not getting as many touches, he takes the opportunity to help the younger wideouts and help his team.  Rod Smith is definitely someone who sucked it up and made the most out of their situation.  

 The second athlete that I will tell you about is a local Denver NBA player, by the name of Dermarr Johnson.  DJ had it all going for him, an exceptional athlete at the University of Cincinnati, and part of the Freshman All-American team his rookie season in the NCAA’s.  He declared for the NBA draft after his freshman year, and was drafted by Atlanta with the 6th draft pick in the 2000 NBA draft.  He struggled his first year as a Hawk, the he improved in his second year.  Then he had a twist of fate, a horrible car accident.  He broke 4 vertabrae in his neck, and was forced into wearing a “halo” to have the bones correct themselves.  Many doubted that he would play basketball ever again.  However, DJ had second thoughts.  Rehabbing himself back into shape after his bones healed, and working hard, Johnson played in some semi pro leagues to try to get a chance to play in the NBA once again.  He eventually made it and now is a guard/forward here in Denver(assuming he resigns).  At any rate, rather than giving up after his accident that nearly cost him his life, he remained positive and made the comeback.  Rather than be a victim, or as I like to call them, victocrats, he sucked it up, and worked hard and made the most out of his situation, and made it back to the NBA.  

 The last athlete I will discuss is the Ex-Avalanche player, Steve Moore.  We all remember the Mob like hit from Bertuzzi to Moore on the Ice on that dreaded day in Vancouver, no need to rehash that ridiculous event.  Moore suffered several injuries to his neck, deemed doubtful to ever play hockey again, let alone in the NHL.  Now, to be honest with everyone, I am not sure what Moore is up to these days.  But what I was able to find out is that as of February of ’06, he is doing full workouts and skating again.  That is good enough for me for an athlete who sucked it up and worked hard.   

 So you see, it isn’t all about being one of the best, like Rod Smith.  It isn’t about being an NBA Journeyman like Dermarr Johnson is likely and has been.  It isn’t about playing in the NHL like Steve Moore probably will never do.  It is about being positive and making the most out of your life.  This is the credo I attempt to live by on a daily basis.  The people and athletes you hear little about are the ones that need to be talked about.  They are doing the right things and working hard, not out sniffing cocaine and getting hookers, and raping women.  

 These examples are obviously from my hometown of Denver.  So I ask you, who are the people in your city who have sucked it up worked hard and made the most out of their situation?

In light of the recent Maurice Clarett debacle, I have decided to reflect on some athletes who had the world in the palm of their hand, and then chose to throw it away.  It is happening too often, seeing athletes with the potential fame and fortune, throw away their life's work and dreams on some poor decisions.  Let's start with the most recent and obvious, Maurice Clarett. 

"Yeah that's right, I F'd up....again"

Clarett won the NCAA Championship game for Ohio State when he was a freshman.  He had all the hype with him, and was proving that he was the man in the college scene amongst running backs.  This is the high point of his life.  Clarett's ego was swelling, and accompanied with some bad advice from agents and Jim Brown and others, Clarett decided to try to go to the NFL, a season before he was eligible.  He then spent the next year of his life battling it out with the NFL and the courts.  The NFL won.  Why did this one man think he could overturn a longtime standing NFL rule?  Bad advice and a big ego.  Why did he not just stay in college one more year?  He would have been the big man on campus, perhaps win another title, and probably still get paid.  Then he would have gone to the NFL, probably a top 10 pick I would guess.  But he chose delusions of grandeur and tried to test the waters.  He failed.  He then was in trouble with the law for insurance scams.  Then, for what reason I don't know, he gets a second chance.  The Broncos draft him and bring him into training camp.  Clarett, then arrives overweight and gets cut from the team.  Second chance blown.  Now, he is obviously in trouble.  This young man had the world in the palm of his hand, and threw it all away.  Could've made more money than most of us will see in a lifetime, and threw it all away.

Who else is on this list?

How about the NBA, and Leon Smith.  Do you remember this story?  he actually got paid, and then threw it all away.  Here is the story if you care to read. http://www.sportslawnews.com/archive/Mark's%20Vie
w/Thought27.html

And what about Rick Tocchet?  I am sure he collected enough wealth throughout his playing and coaching career to not need to start up a bookmaking business.  Talk about making the wrong decision, now he is probably looking at some long hard time.

Obviously the tops on the charts, would have to be Ray Carruth.  I am not even going to waste my time refreshing you all on his story, I am sure you all remember it well.

Another NBA guy, Chris Andersen.   Prohibited to play in the NBA for 2 years because he did some type of hard drug.  The NBA only bans players like this without warning for extreme substances.  Andersen had virtually no game, other than dunking, but he had managed to stick around in the NBA for a while.  Again, bad choices have started his demise.

Who else?  Shoeless Joe?  Stanley Roberts?  Half of the Tour De France?  Dale Carter?

It seems as though the list doesn't stop.

I would like to hear your opinions as well.  This is the first of a two part series, with the next installment being "Athletes that sucked it up, worked hard and made the most out of their situation.  I know, not a very catchy title, but it sums up what I want to get accross.

Who else had the world by the balls and threw it away?

If you are like me, you might have a Sunday ritual of going down to your local watering hole for a good round of NFL action.  I am often seen there on Saturdays as well.  Many of us that enjoy a beer here and there, or 20 over the course of the day, all have a favorite sports bar that we are patrons at. 

I travel on business a fair amount, and have been to many cities, such as Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Las Vegas and a few others.  I always try to find the good sports bars to take in a game and a few beverages after closing whatever deal I am working on.

I have a few favorite sports bars here in Denver for any of you visiting.

If I am watching NFL on Sunday, then I go to the chain sports bar, Champps Bar & Grill.  These are located in several states, but provide a good atmosphere, plus it is centrally located between myself and my friends.   My most memorable moment there was watching the Broncos vs. Patriots in last years playoffs, and watching Champ Bailey return the interception thrown by Tom Brady back about 105 yards.  The DJ then threw on "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey and the bar was singing in unison and jumping up and down.  Beer was going everywhere. It was like being at a rock concert, and I will never forget it.

If I am going to a Rockies game, then I enjoy a refreshing beverage at Above the Dove(former name, now referred to as The Tavern Rooftop).  Not really a sports bar, but it is right accross the street from Coors Field and you can sit on the rooftop and often catch a player from the Avalanche, Nuggets, or Broncos there.  My most memorable moment was getting to shake the hand of Luis Gonzalez, of the Arizona D-Backs, after a game they had with the Rockies.  How many of us can say we shook a world series champions hand?  Pretty neat in my opinion.

If I am watching NBA action, I sit on the couch.  I have the League Pass, and hey, plenty of beer in the fridge, plus it is cheaper.  My most memorable moment, well, I can't say or my wife would kill me.

If I am going to a Nuggets game, i always go to Brooklyn's.  Good drinks, good food and a ton of people on game nights, plus plenty of screens for the other games that are going on currently.  There is another Brooklyn's next to Invesco field, which is my favorite if i am going to a Broncos game.  On game day, they have an outdoor area with a grill going, plenty of brats, hotdogs, or burgers with sides for $5.  A great deal. All of the Sunday morning games are on many different TV's and the atmosphere is excellent.  I can recall being there at 10 am many sundays when I was a season ticket holder.

So, there you go.  Those are my favorite local sports bars.   So please let me know what you favorite is, and next time I am traveling to your city, I will try to be a customer.  Thanks for your reading,

RP