A little about me and a request

I've been busy lately because I just moved to Madison, WI. I'll be updating once I get a little bit more settled. For the time being, if you see or hear any reports, please send them my way. Thanks

Braylon Edwards - PRObus Athlete of the Month

Ever since Braylon Edwards joined the ranks of the NFL, I have only heard good things about him. Something that I want to try to do is pick one athlete a month that represents what it is to be a Probus Athlete. Braylon seems to really care about the community and tries to do everything he can to help where he can.

Braylon Edwards has exploded onto the scene as a bonafide football star and he still has time to give back. While most athletes would love the opportunity to show off their possessions on MTV's Cribs, Braylon shrugs that away to become an important figurehead in the community.

Braylon donated $500,000 to the University of Michigan to create a scholarship endowment for the player who wears the No. 1 jersey or the player who exhibits exceptional off-field behavior. I really appreciate when anyone remembers to thank the people who gave them the opportunity to become what they are currently. It’s great that Braylon understands to pay it forward. Braylon has also started the Braylon Edwards Foundation. You can read more about it on his website, http://www.braylonedwardsfoundation.org. Some of the highlights include:
-Advance 100 Program – 100 eighth grade students with academic scholarships upon completion of their senior year of high school.
-Hosting Women Moving Forward

Braylon has also won the 2008 Giant Steps Award for his ability to use his NFL success to steer social change in a positive direction and the JB Award for athletes who excel in leadership on and off the field.

Braylon Edwards was definitely worth paying him the extra money in my dynasty league. I am glad there are players like Braylon in the NFL and hope that his efforts do not go unappreciated.

If you would like to donate to the Braylon Edwards foundation, follow this link http://www.braylonedwardsfoundation.org/page.php?id=11

Raphael Nadal bests Federer in thriller, only praise leaves his mouth

I'm always impressed when athletes are able to gruel through a gut wrenching match/game and have the first words out of their mouths be only respect for their opposition. Raphael Nadal just finished one of the most intense matches of tennis against the juggernaut of the tennis world, Rodger Federer, and he still gave it up to his opponent.

“He’s still No. 1,” Nadal said. “He’s still the best. He’s still five-time champion here and I only have one, so for me it is very, very important.”

Trash talking and exuberance is nice entertainment but it takes a real sport to acknowledge your counterparts.

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_ylt=AvqiOOoXV8QQR3q1GzrW6G44v7YF?slug=ap-wimbledon&prov=ap&type=lgns

Tony Humbled After Saving a Man's Life

Tony Gonzalez never thought he would be a hero when he went out to dinner the other night. He still doesn't think he is a hero and that's what I'm impressed with. A man was choking on a piece of food and no one stepped up to help him. Tony took charge and performed the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the suffocating piece.

"...I honestly don’t want to make a big deal out of it. But of course it does give me a lot of satisfaction to know that I was able to help somebody.” - Tony Gonzales
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Al57ju8qteODfoskCwMZuQVDubYF?slug=ap-chiefs-gonzalez-rescue&prov=ap&type=lgns

Yao Ming and the Olympics

Yao Ming embodies the competitive drive and Olympic spirit that all athletes should strive for. Earlier this year, Yao Ming injured his foot which promptly ended his season. Yao Ming had only two thoughts; was the injury his fault and would he be able to play in the Olympics? That's contradictory to how some athletes views the Olympics as just a cash grab.

Yao Ming is also raffling off tickets to the Olympics on http://www.netraffle.org. The proceeds will help the victims of the China earthquakes. He is also donating many of his personal items from the Olympics and raffling of his special bed that was designed for him during his Olympic stay.

Gilbert Arenas Agrees to Play For Less

The Washington Wizards offered the max allowed to Gilbert Arenas after Arenas opted out his contract for free agency. Gilbert Arenas turned right around and passed on the potential $127 million contract for $111 million so that the team could still sign key pieces to build a championship team. "What can I do for my family with $127 million that I can't do with $111 million?" he told The Washington Post.

$111 million is still a preposterous amount of cash, but it's still nice to see when there are NBA athletes like Latrell Sprewell (currently not on a team) have the audacity to turn down $21 million from the Timberwolves and say: "Why would I want to help them win a title? They're not doing anything for me. I'm at risk. I have a lot of risk here. I got my family to feed."

Congratulations Gilbert Arenas for understanding what sports is about and doing what is best for the team. Gilbert truly has fun while playing and gives a lot back to the community. Visit his blog on NBA.com and his website to learn more.

Brian Dawkings - Father of the Year

The first PRObus athlete is Brian Dawkins. He recently received the "Father of the Year" award from the Greater Philadelphia American Diabetes Association and the Father’s Day Council.

“I’ve got four little people in my house that hopefully I will leave a lasting legacy on,” Dawkins said. “At the end of the day, this game will pass me by. This game will keep on going once I retire. But I will always be a father to these kids. Some people choose not to be fathers to their children; I’ll always be the dad to my children.”

http://proathletesonly.com/news/locker-room/eagles-brian-dawkins-is-a-fatherly-figure-at-home-and-work/

The PRObus Athlete Launches

I first imagined this site when I watched Charles Barkley's Nike commercial on what he was and wasn't paid to do. The message: athletes are not paid to be role models for children, that is the responsibility of their parents. I agree whole heartily with Charles Barkley, but it was harder and harder for me to fully accept this message every time I flipped through a newspaper, turned on sports radio, or watched Sportscenter.

What was being covered was behavioral mishaps, game analysis, and scores during the breaks. Rarely would a good story make any airtime or ink space. The media instead covered domestic abuse, DUI's, greediness, and the like. If you are not the most dedicated sports fan, all you know of is the "bad boy" image of athletes. Charles Barkley's message is right on, but what if you don't have anyone to look up to except for professional athletes?

I want to be able to at least shed some light on some of the good that athletes accomplish. It shouldn't take anyone effort to find these stories but in today's climate, it does.

I aim to be a source for the positive in this negative sports media. I understand that tragedy sells but that does not mean there isn't room for the opposite. Enjoy!