There are some very memorable images of pro athletes with their fathers, or fatherhood in general. There was Ken Griffey Jr. in 1989, just a 19-year-old rookie, sitting in the dugout next to his beaming father when both were members
There are some very memorable images of pro athletes with their fathers, or fatherhood in general.
There was Ken Griffey Jr. in 1989, just a 19-year-old rookie, sitting in the dugout next to his beaming father when both were members of the Seattle Mariners, becoming the first father-son duo in Major League history.
Michael Jordan, while trying to make it as a professional baseball player, would famously have conversations with his father, who had recently been murdered. James Jordan always hoped his son would go back to baseball, which he excelled at as a young boy. Michael, sitting alone, would say, “We’re going to get this done, Dad.”
Oscar De la Hoya, whose father was notoriously tough on him regarding his technique and abilities, was embraced by his dad and told for the first time that he fought beautifully after his bout with Felix Trinidad — ironically, a fight that De la Hoya ultimately lost according to the judges.
The late Payne Stewart sank a 15-foot putt on the final hole to win the 1999 U.S. Open, topping Phil Mickelson, who was still without a Major at the time. He immediately went over to Mickelson, took his face in his hands and told him not to worry because he was about to experience something far more amazing than a Major victory: the arrival of his son who was born the next day.
The one that always resonates most with me is the tale of Derek Redmond, a British Olympic sprinter who at age 19, shattered the British 400-meter record. He went to the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, but had to withdraw just minutes before the race because of an achilles tendon injury.
He underwent five surgeries over the next year and then prepared himself for the 1992 Games. He went to Barcelona with his father, Jim, both anticipating Derek’s chance to shine on the biggest stage in sports. The day of the 400-meter semifinals, Jim was in the stands to watch his son.
Derek was leading the pack halfway through the race when he heard a pop and had to pull up. His right hamstring had torn and he fell to the track. With a strong determination to not give in to the injury, Derek got to his feet and began to hop on one leg towards the finish line. He had no thoughts of slinking off to the side and waiting for medical treatment.
Tears of pain and sorrow rolled down his face and the stadium began to cheer his efforts. Suddenly, another man was heading towards the track, but it wasn’t someone from the medical staff. Security guards tried to slow the man down, but were unsuccessful.
As he avoided their chasing, the man turned and yelled “That’s my son out there and I’m going to help him.”
Jim got to his son, who immediately put his arms around his father. They supported each other for most of the remaining meters until they approached the finish line, where Jim released his son so he could cross it on his own.
Though his son went home without a medal, Jim Redmond told the press that he was “the proudest father alive.”
If you’ve never seen the footage, it can be found easily on the Web.
Though most of our similar moments will never be seen by as many people as these examples, parent-child interactions, not just relating to sports, can have profound and lasting effects for all of us.
So hopefully you’ll be able to spend this Father’s Day with your ohana and have some memorable moments of your own.
