I’ll be the first
to admit it. I’ve had some awful things to say about Mr. Phil Mickelson. I’ve
questioned his golf skills. I’ve questioned his decision-making processes. I’ve
commented on his testicular fortitude. I’ve even made jokes about his physique.
I shouldn’t have done that.
I was wrong, and I’m sorry.
Conrad Dobler is a
ten-year veteran of the NFL. He had
played for the St. Louis Cardinals, N.O. Saints, and the Buff. Bills. It had
been opined that he was the “Dirtiest player in football”, but no one could
argue that he was a good, solid offensive lineman. He made ProBowl appearances
in ‘75, ’76, and ’77. But his career had taken its toll on his body, and he is
now 90% disabled. He walks with a cane, and is about to undergo his third knee
replacement on the same knee. He is married to Joy. At a family cookout in
2001, she fell out of a hammock and injured her spine. She is now a
quadriplegic, and hopes have stem-cell surgery outside the country, in the next
18 months.
After seeing an
expose aired on ESPN, Mr. Mickelson, (not Phil, not Lefty, but Mr. Mickelson.)
saw an opportunity to help. Without any fan fare, without any publicity, (His
lawyer even tried toSTOP an article on the subject in “Golf World”.) and having never met them, he has
been paying for the Dobler’s daughter to attend college. Holli Dobler has just
completed her sophomore year at the University of Miami (Ohio) and has a grade
point average between 3.6 and 3.8. She appears to making the most of this gift,
and considers Mr. Mickelson her “Angel without wings.”
For The Record: Next years tuition… $24,000
Mr. Mickelson is
currently second on both the World Golf rankings, and the PGA money list.
He has 31 wins on
the PGA Tour, and 3 Major Titles. (2 Masters, 1 PGA)
These are huge
accomplishments, and should not be taken lightly. He has EARNED my respect, both
on and OFF the golf course.
Mr. Mickelson,
I Pray…. that you, your wife Amy, children Amanda, Sophia,
and Evan, (in fact, all your family and loved ones) are happy, healthy, and
comfortable.
I Pray…. That you receive all the blessings, a man with your
heart and talent deserves.
I had no idea about all that. Thanks for sharing. It's great to see the good side of sports for sure. He's a class-act player that always seemed to me to carry himself in a nice manner on and off the course. Well done Chux.
oh...okay...thank you ...that tell you something about us,that we have a lot to learn, my Teach always tell me.... reread it before answering the question being ask.
I'm not too sure exactly what there is NOT to like about Mickelson, so I'm glad you finally came around. Too bad it took this for you to do so, chux. This is not the first time he's done something like this. Honestly, when I hear some of the criticism he gets, I just shake my head. I didn't mean that personally to you, chux. I don't think I caught any of your prior remarks.
Obviously here in Phoenix, Phil is revered, having had a stellar career at ASU and living in Scottsdale for many years until moving back to California a few years ago. A few years ago, I took my girlfriend to the Phoenix (now FBR) Open. And I must say, she was smitten. She was in awe that someone as popular as him spent as much time as he did signing autographs, chatting with fans, etc., after his round. She is now a golf fan, and we attend the tourney at least a couple days every year. Not just to see Phil, but he is what got her into it.
I've seen Phil up close and personal many times, and I can safely say there is no classier guy in sports that I can think of.
Good to see you come around, chux. Nice post as well.
Hey Ricko!!
Thank you! I guess every once in a while, an old dog can learn a few new tricks...
I suppose I was blinded by the "Bright Light" phenom... that is Tiger Woods..
But... like our friends "underage" I should reread.
"After Further review" I am an Official Lefty Fan!
Funny about Tiger. He's only played in the tourney here a few times, yet they keep setting attendance records. When asked why he thought this was, the tournament chairman a couple years ago said something like, "Tiger's famous for what he is. Phil is famous for who he is as well as what he is."
I echo Rick, what's not to like. I am a huge Phil fan. If not a Tiger to compare him too, who has been better over the last 10 years. He is a class act on and off the golf course. Great post.
Rick, it seems to me that most of the guys on the tour are pretty good people. It may have something to do with the fact that they have had to "earn" thier way.... at every stage of the game. They are not given a salary. They have to "Pay to Play".. and if they don't make the cut.... the whole trip just winds up costing money.... their personal money!!!
I think that's the thing that I love most about the sport. These guys have the "Entreprenuers Spirit" from the very begining....
I did not know that...thanks for sharing that nice story. Mickelson's alright in my book. He's the only golfer to make me cry. 1999 US Open...Payne Stewart telling him how great it is to be a father. Well, ok, maybe Payne Stewart made me cry. Oh whatever...good post, chuck. = )
Hey chux-That is one cool post. I had no idea about Conrad and his family, let alone what Phil did. After all this, I'll keep it clean, ridiculous garbage within baseball, it is extremely gratifying to read your article. Thanx, Shorty
Thanx Shorty!!
I believe there's still a lot of Good left in the world..... we just gotta dig a little deeper to find it...
Thanks for droppin' by......
It is a great story. Here is another good part of the story. Phil did not directly contact Mr Dobler but everything has been handled by Phil's lawywer. It shows that he was not doing this as a publicity stunt but as a act of genuine caring. Also, Phil never met Mr Dobler before a couple of weeks ago. Even though he started helping the family out over two years ago. I think that Phil is one of the most human of all the professional golfers and does it where it counts. Not out front so that he can gain publicity but behind the scenes where it helps the person and not him.
Lefty seems like a decent guy, and that's a really generous thing he's doing.
It would be interesting to see just how many golfers go out of their way to do nice things for others.
Other than tennis players, golfers may be the only high profile sport that your pay is based on your performance each week/tournament. They're geared a little differently than your typical #### that plays football, I'll bet there are a lot of feel good stories like that around the golf world.
Every person has show an act of kindness, and this situation does not surprise me. Mickelson has always prided himself on being a family-first guy, so if anyone would feel for this guy's story it would be Phil. Great act of kindness. Thanks for the post Chux.
Pig..... Yeah.... I have my moments when I'm pretty handy to have around......
Golfblogger....Absolutely!! One of the things that impressed me the most, was the fact that he PAID a lawyer, in the attempt to keep this story from becoming public knowledge....
Shooter.... after his US Open blow-up.... and the fact that he (like most of the field) is usually chasin' Tigger.... I guess he just became easy fodder for my warped humor.... after this story... I'll think twice before I take a swing at him...
Now that IS a great story. I do not watch much golf and I am no fan of Tiger. Other than the Yankees I root for the underdog. Nothing against Mr. Woods.
However, thanks to you I have a new favorite golfer. Go Lefty.
It's time for a new story.
Just watch the world and see what fires you up.
That's how I free-keyed today's post.
You have the gift. Use it before the commie bloggers take over.
My goal is to live forever. So far...so good..
I play Rec. league softball, Poker and Golf. I watch MLB (Mets) NFL (Cowboys) and NASCAR (J. Gordon). I can't think in numbers, so STATS are meaningless to me.
Indecision may or may not be my problem...... .
I wrote comment # 1982
