Controversial sports columnist Jay Mariotti seems to have a two-segment audience: those who hate him and those who have yet to make up their minds. To my amazement, I have a newfound respect for Mariotti after this column about Lance Armstrong in today's Chicago Sun-Times.
Mariotti captures what I so admire about Armstrong:
"To call Armstrong the most inspirational athlete of our time wouldn't be syrupy or the least bit wrong. There have been more beloved sports icons, like Muhammad Ali. And more imperial, like (Tiger) Woods. And more prolific, like Wayne Gretzky. And more transcendent, like Babe Ruth. But the pedaler from Texas has one-upped them all in one sense: emerging from chemotherapy hell eight years ago with a single-minded rage. He channeled his anger every summer in an event most Americans barely knew existed until he started winning every year and drove home lessons about hope and will. Not only was a former cancer patient surviving, he was thriving. Which explains why his LIVE STRONG bracelets remain a global accessory and further evidence that Armstrong, because of the disease he toppled, has made more impact for humankind than any athlete since maybe Jackie Robinson.
''What it teaches is this: Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever,'' he said."
Amen, and God bless you, Lance, wherever life takes you.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Lance Armstrong: "Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever"
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3 comments:
Here here, a toast to you, Lance. Your plight has gotten me through many a workout...thanks for the memories and good luck in the future!
Not a specificly Lance comment but your blog has gotten me through many a tough patch as well my friend. We all find inspiration where we can and I have commented long and hard on your training and fearlessness inspiring me.
I miss a whole week and you put your best stuff up.
Here's a different take on the Lance thing. Written ages ago but worth perhaps the odd glance.
http://covenantnews.com/deParrie040730.htm
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