Today in Sports...wow!!

I LOVE Dirk Nowitzki. He could have left for more money, demanded more money, demanded more superstars, or another coach, etc. Instead, he stayed with a team full of castoffs, a coaching bench full of castoffs, and a 38 year old point guard!! He took all the criticism with grace, and won the right way! He's also known to be a genuinely good guy around here, too.

I'm a big Jerry Rice fan, although I'm not a big football fan. I do like Emmit Smith, also.

The Texas Rangers are a class act. They have two players that are recovering addicts (one from alcohol but I'm not sure what the other was addicted to). They do not use champagne to celebrate at the end of the game - they use sparkling 'something'. I think that is a real testament of how that team works together and the respect they have for each other.

I was pretty impressed with Carpenter diving for first base Monday. Mostly because he almost sacrificed his arm for the team. What I mean is he dove, without thinking about what he may have given up, because he was part of this team.

I think years from now I will still remember that play.

Hi - When I was a kid (in Dallas), I had to do a report for school about someone famous. I chose Roger Staubach, former quarterback for the Cowboys. I sent him a letter asking for information about his life, and he sent me back - I kid you not - boxes full of family photos (originals!) and other information. He also included a handwritten note asking me to return his photos when I was done with them. What a nice guy!

Albert Pujols because he married a W. who had a daughter from a prior relationship with down's. I've heard him talk about his daughter and the love that he has for her knows no bounds. His family has a foundation to bring awareness about Downs and help those with it. In addition, he is one amazing baseball player a true role model for kids who idolize ball players. Troy Polamalu because even with the money that he makes he graduated from college in the off-season...and I love that he called his wife to let her know he was okay after getting tackled and suffering a mild concussion during last week's game even with the result of getting fined.

CC Sebastian impresses me because even with all of his fame/fortune he has not forgotten where he came from. He routinely returns to his home town of Vallejo, California and works with the kids at the Girls and Boys Clubs. He and his mother purchased, with his money, school supplies and passed them out this year. He is always doing something for the youth of Vallejo and they really need it. I think that's how a sports figure should act. He really gives the kids someone to respect and aspire to!