Dave’s Life in Sports

Dave,

Thank you for the book! It was an honor to be included among the recipients. I loved hearing about it and reading it through over the phone with C., but then to get a copy of my own was really special. She sure does love you and I am sure you are grateful for all the editing, research and attention to detail she lent to the project.

I had a hard time picking my favorite stories/memories. I love the free throw story most! Overall, I loved the humor and the walk down memory lane. You are a good athlete, a great dad and a coach of character. And you, like your sister, have a great gift at storytelling!

You have had several “brushes with greatness” and I think my favorite is one with the charity game where you made Biletnikoff take notice! I also like the Michael Jordan moment on the golf course! And maybe Don Larson!

I laughed out loud at many stories, but the round ref (aka brown ref) and the shattered leg are highlights.

The one thing that shines through every story is your sportsmanship. There are a lot of athletes that are good at their game but suck all the joy out of it with their arrogance and their bravado.  It takes a great deal of character to coach others to greatness and bring out the best in others. Teaching the skills, coaching a “team” to love the game and play together is not as common as it should be. It is clear in your life that your boys and those you have coached and played with have learned the life skills of how to be a good sport, win or lose. Many miss that.

One example of this is the end of the game when Jeff and the opposing player hug and silence the crowd. That happened because of the lessons in sportsmanship that were instilled by you as a dad and a coach.  Sportsmanship is the ability to win without bragging, lose without grumbling and play respectfully. In the New Testament, the apostle Paul used athletic competition as a metaphor for the challenges in the life of the believer and how to live a life of good sportsmanship. He says that many run the race, but only one wins the prize, so run in such a way that you may win.

A good sport does his/her best, wins without cheating, plays by the rules, and behaves respectfully without losing his/her cool. These are life lessons that you exhibit through each sport that you play. Further you are a team player, an encourager, wise and generous, even in your quest for the win!

It’s too bad that soccer is missing! You have had a remarkable career and life. I am glad to know you. Again, you have my admiration and respect.

With love from one true fan!