(S20) - PT2 - Role Model

[br0_0ker]

There are a few role models I have in the sporting world. First is renowned sport lumberjack Raphael Goodsman, whose famed Hotsaw technique captured multiple repeat National Lumberjacking Championships. What I most admire about Mr. Goodsman is the raw ferocity with which he attacks every challenge presented before him, there is never an obstacle too great he cannot overcome and that is something I strive to imitate in all aspects of my training and life. Another one of my role models is Jerry Rice, who I try to model my game after. What I say is, Goodsman is more of an attitude, a way of life. Rice is about achieving perfection in my craft, and to do that I need to mimic Rice's dedication to the grind and performance on the field. Of course, it would be remiss of me to neglect mentioning Takeru Kobayashi, who reminds me most of all that sheer willpower is one of the greatest assets a champion can have. When Kobayashi was facing defeat in the 2010 World Hot Dog Eating Championships, did he accept his fate or did he double down on his gastrointestinal discomfort and power through to his third world title in the most prestigious eating contest in the West, the Conney Island Hot Dog Hoedown? You bet your sweet ass he powered through it, and that mindset is something I strive to incorporate in my life every day.

[RilesMcGiles]

I grew up in Cincinnati so I am a fan of Cincinnati sports, including the Reds. When I was in 4th grade (about 10 or 11 years old), I either won or earned a special trip to walk onto Cinergy Field before a Reds game. This was part of the time where Ken Griffey Jr wore a Reds uniform. He was the only player that I really knew as a kid. I played Ken Griffey Jr’s Winning Run on the Super Nintendo which didn’t have any actual player names except for Ken Griffey Jr (he was still on the Mariners at the time). In going on the field, what they did was assign each of us a position on the field and we would get to go out on the field, meet the Reds player that was starting in that position, get a signed baseball, sing the national anthem with them, then walk off the field to our seats to watch the game.

To my disappointment, I didn’t get center field to meet Griffey. I got first base and met Sean Casey. I never heard of Sean Casey before, he shook my hand with his, said some friendly words, etc. It all went pretty fast. Later on, I started reading about Sean Casey and realized that he was a really stand-up guy. He was known for always having conversations with opposing players whenever they got to first base, he was known for going out of his way to be there for fans, including starting some charities. The more I read about him, the more I liked him. I had liked Griffey because I knew he was good and he was just the name I knew. But Casey was the first player that I actually researched and tried to get to know. Griffey was still fun to watch, but I started watching Reds games to see Casey.

Also, standing at first base on that day as a kid meant that I was right next to the Reds dugout. So when all the players left the dugout to go meet their respective kid I got to be up close to most of them as they passed by, including Griffey. He said “Hey!” as he jogged passed me, so I guess I still got to meet him after all!

[Buttersqauch101]

When it comes to real life I don’t really have a true “role model” per se. Just some people I respect more then others. When it comes to the NSFL though I’d like to think that my previous DSFL gms and now QB prospects Rrad and Fly as my nsfl role models. When I started they helped me out with almost everything when it cane to Point Tasks, helping with trivia and even teaching me everything I know about the sim and how to be good in a war room. Don’t even get me started on when Rrad has to fix my updates and basically reteach me how to update as I went from linking to the wrong threads, to being a near perfect Updater (aside from when I miscount my own banked tpe sometimes). If I had to pick another person as a role model for me I honestly don’t know but I would presume it to be some of the other gms I’m the nsfl for all they’ve done like Bigred, or even Duilio and Frick. Eco would also be a good choice as a role model as he essentially led the Graphics team with BigRed while simultaneously being in HO and leading the coding efforts

[ItsJustBarry]

My real life sports hero would be none other than Luke August Kuechly. Even during his college years at Boston College you could see that he was something special. In 2011, his last season with Boston College, he led all college players in total tackles. In 2012 he was drafted 9th overall to the Carolina Panthers. He continued to be a dominant force on the field once arriving in the NFL. His excellent athleticism allowed him to be in almost every defensive play. He has racked up a long list of awards and accolades during his NFL career including defensive player of the year and multiple All Pro awards. Possibly one of the biggest affirmations to his play on field would be when he won the Art Rooney sportsmanship award.

What really has him stand out for me though is his off field presence. His dedication to his community and multiple charities is a great sight to see. Another action, which is both positive and bittersweet, is when he announced his retirement from the NFL. Not many players know when to hang them up. Its great to see that he recognized the signs from his body and hopefully left in time to live a long and productive life. I t was sad to hear that such a young and dominate player was leaving the game, but I fully support his decision. I honestly thought when watching his retirement speech that he was going to change his mind mid way through and return for another season. It was tough yet inspiring to watch.

[Starboy]

There was a long line of people that I would consider my “role model” that I could point to that have affected me. But I feel that there is one athlete in my childhood that pushed me to try my hardest and that was Nomar Garciapara. I know he is not a football player, but growing up playing baseball in Georgia, it was hard not to idolize the former Georgia Tech baseball player. I remember constantly trying to get his newest baseball card in order to find out what his stats were over time and with each new season he played. The thing about Garciapara was that he was amazing at hitting homeruns and playing baseball in general. I found myself constantly wanting to measure my own baseball stats against something like his. It helped push me to play my hardest and constantly want to be the best on my team. Although I wanted to play third base to his shortstop, I practiced swinging like him and trying to replicate what he did. I still take that with me as just a way to always be the best out of my surroundings. I’m sure many have heard that the reason I retired Armor King was because I wasn’t getting enough volume, and that just is an example of that constantly playing out even in a sim league and how Nomar has affected me.

[JKortesi81]

SHL PT

[The Xekutioner]

Here's mine

[Ry_]

PBE PT

[Muford]

I’d have to say, my real-life role model would probably have to be Charles Anthony Tillman, Retired Cornerback of the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers. I started getting into football right about when he was drafted (2003) and right from the get-go, he was such a wonderful player to watch. But, that’s not what really drove me to enjoy and consider Tillman a role model. What Tillman did off the field, was just outstanding. He started foundations in Chicago to help everyone he could, and he was just a model for anyone growing up at the time. He never liked to show off, and he just put on his helmet everyday and got to work. He was honestly one of the humblest players that I can remember from the early 2000s Chicago Bears, and I always knew watching their games, I’d see a high-class player rocking the jersey from the City he was born in. Charles Tillman really opened my eyes to what it is to be a professional, and act like you’ve been there and done it before. Tillman had such a huge impact on me as a kid that I never really noticed until recently, but man, he always stuck out to me.

(205 words)

[JuOSu]

SHL PT