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12/11/06 It was an interesting juxtaposition Saturday as the Heisman Trophy award show took place the same day that Sports Illustrated’s ‘Sportsman of the year’ had his life story featured on HBO. There is a certain humility that truly great athletes have, and it is typically learned in High School. There’s an old saying that suggests when one scores a TD in the world of sport, with respect to their trip to the end zone, it is best that they ‘act as if they’ve been there before, and act as if they’re going back.’ Unfortunately, most don’t. But, such is the sociological study that attempts to find the common denominator among successful sports stars, that also seemingly transition that success to other parts of their life… And, there is one, but it’s a secret. However, once figured out the secret is very powerful. And, I’m not going to reveal it, because it wouldn’t have nearly the same impact as it does when one has the clarity to see it’s value within. It’s somewhat ironic that the vast majority of Heisman Trophy winners are flops in the pros, while many other high achieving athletes share the benefits of knowing the ‘secret.’ It was particularly gratifying to see Miami’s Dwyane Wade earn Sport Illustrated’s prestigious ‘Sportsman of the Year’ award. Like his predecessors Michael Jordan, Chrissie Evert, Terry Bradshaw, and Sugar Ray Leonard, just to name a few, as youngsters their potential was being forged in the background while their contemporaries basked in the spotlight. Growing up in a single-parent home in a rough part of Chicago, Wade admitted he was never the best on any team he played for. Only 3 colleges recruited him, and only one, Marquette University, offered him a scholarship. Knowing he was not regarded as the best, but rather as part of the rest lit a fire under him that burns to this day. It is not a coincidence that many Novi athletes profiled in ‘where are the now’ from time-to-time were not necessarily household names as they graced Wildcat country. Today, Dwyane Wade is as humble and gracious as ever. And ironically, he is still not considered the best player on his own team. But, if one watches him close enough, in everything he does, he reveals the secret. (c) 2006 Novi
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