One doesn’t become the “Sexiest Man Alive” overnight. People bestowed that title upon Mark Harmon during 1986. He was a star on the St. Elsewhere television program. By then, though, the actor was not new to the star scene. He had played college football and then portrayed a police officer with a dog partner in Sam (1977) and a helicopter rescue hero in 240-Robert (1979).

After attending a community college, Mark made the quantum leap to the big time at the University of California, Los Angeles. As the quarterback, Mark led UCLA during the 1972 and 1973 seasons. In his first game as a starter, his Bruins recorded a shocking upset over two-time defending champions Nebraska.

Mark was photogenic and now he was successful on the field. Plus, he was just a few miles away from the Hollywood studios. But, Mark needed a little more help to move him into his acting career. The push came from sister Kristin and Dragnet creator Jack Webb.

Kristin had married teen idol Rick Nelson and enjoyed a role on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Mark was just 12 at this time, so he was not quite ready for his primetime debut on television or the sports field. However, during 1973, after his star role at UCLA, a reboot show, Ozzie’s Girls, brought Ozzie and Harriet back to television. Through his sister, Mark nabbed a walk-on role. Kristin would enjoy only one other significant recurring role on television — portraying Jean Reed, the wife of Officer Jim Reed (Kent McCord) on Adam-12. But, that show’s connection to Jack Webb helped Mark.

Mark had turned down offers to play pro football. He dabbled with law school, worked at an ad agency and sold shoes. Finally, with his sister’s support, he sought advice from Jack, who secured guest spots for Mark on Emergency! and Adam-12. The football rolled from there – Sam, 240-Robert, St. Elsewhere and then NCIS along with plenty of appearances on other television shows and in films.

So, you just never know when or how a break will lead to a lifetime of success on or off the sports field.

Pat Tillman was born on November 6 in Fremont, California. The oldest of three sons, he matured into a star athlete and a better person.

Pat was awarded a football scholarship to Arizona State University. He was selected 1997 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year and ASU’s MVP. Pat graduated with a marketing degree in less than four years with a 3.85 GPA.  The Arizona Cardinals drafted him and he became an All-Pro safety.

Pat, whose great-grandfather served at Pearl Harbor, was deeply affected by 9/11. During an interview, he said, “I play football, and it just seems so goddamn unimportant compared to everything that has taken place.”

Following the 2001 season, Pat declined a $3.6 million three-year contract with the Cardinals to enlist in the U.S. Army with his brother, Kevin, who declined an offer to play baseball for the Cleveland Indians. Pat married his high school sweetheart, Marie, before exchanging his football jersey for a military uniform.

The brothers completed training as Army Rangers and Pat was deployed for the initial invasion of Iraq during September 2003. Both brothers later were deployed to Afghanistan. On April 22, 2004, Kevin was in a convoy behind his brother when Pat was killed by friendly fire while on patrol in Spera, Khost Province, Afghanistan.

Pat had prepared a “just in case” letter for Marie that included, in part, “Through the years, I’ve asked a great deal of you. Therefore it should surprise you little that I have another favor to ask. I ask that you live.’’ Pat Tillman was 27 years old. He would have celebrated his 45th birthday this month.

Marie eventually remarried and is a mother of five children. A decade following Pat’s death, she established the Pat Tillman Foundation that provides scholarships for veterans and their spouses.

“Loss is not just something that happens,” said Marie. “It really becomes a part of you and I feel like I have learned so much…and it really has made me more conscious of life and how I want to spend mine and really making the most of it.”

Audrey Soape had lost her father to a tragic accident. She was just 11 years old at the time and now she would not be able to attend a father-daughter dance with her dad. Audrey asked her mom, Holly, to take her. Trying to ease her daughter’s sadness, Holly came up with the idea to contact the family’s favorite athlete and ask if he would escort the girl to the church dance.

That pro player is Anthony Harris. Now a free safety with the Denver Broncos, he was with the Philadelphia Eagles at the time. Holly is from Minnesota and she had followed Anthony’s career since he first played for the Vikings. Holly respected Anthony as an athlete and also for his deep religious faith. Periodically, Holly had sent Scriptures and uplifting messages to Anthony on social media. He often responded to her.

The family lived in Texas. Holly sent a message to Anthony and explained Audrey’s situation. Then, she asked if Anthony would consider escorting her daughter to the dance.

No doubt Anthony receives hundreds of requests along with many other professional athletes. At the time, he was focused on football. But, while not a father, Anthony is an uncle. The message got him thinking about his niece and nephew and what he would do for them if they faced a similar situation.

Anthony immediately replied to Holly, indicating that he would escort Audrey if football, specifically a playoff game, did not take preference. It all worked out for Anthony and Audrey.

The team did not have a game. Anthony sent money for a dress and to cover hair and makeup expenses. On the day of the dance, he flew to Austin and drove to the Soape’s home. He placed a corsage on Audrey’s wrist and posed for photos with the family.

At the dance, Holly’s friends didn’t know anything about Anthony. But, their fathers recognized Anthony and thanked him for escorting Audrey. Anthony and Audrey danced, talked and laughed. They participated in a scavenger hunt and Anthony even gave Audrey some football tips for her flag football team.

Audrey’s hero (Molly’s too!) manages The Anthony Harris Foundation to serve at-risk youth. He said he was honored to be asked to escort Audrey. She said that he made her feel “super special, and it was just amazing. I will never forget it.”

From the many photos taken of them that day, neither will Anthony.

The University of Southern California won its first college football national championship during 1928. The Trojan’s success during previous seasons, partly attributed to the big uglies in the gridiron trenches, helped prep USC for that championship season. ”Uglies” had become a term used with affection. By chance, a couple of those trench teammates, following their college football careers, became Hollywood stars.

When John Ford was seeking talent for his 1929 football film “Salute” that centered around the Army-Navy rivalry, the director decided to cast some of the “uglies” as Midshipmen. “Get me that one with the ugly face,” Ford reportedly said as he gestured toward one player who was given the role of Midshipman Harold. A teammate and close friend of the handpicked player worked as a prop boy and uncredited extra for the film. The two players remained close friends for life and together they became huge talents on the big and small screens.

Midshipman Harold’s actual name was Ward Bond. His friend the prop guy was Marion Morrison, better known as John Wayne. They worked together with John Ford again on the film “Stagecoach” and often teamed on other western films.

While John would become an icon on the screen, Ward settled into a prosperous career as a stuntman, toughie, baddie, or ugly. He estimated that he played these roles in about 150 films. During the late 1950s, after two decades of sensational supporting work, Ward finally received a leading role in television’s “Wagon Train.”

Ward died suddenly after only a few years starring in the role as the wagon master on that show. His loss impacted everyone in the business, including his former USC teammate. Their friendship was deep. In his will, as a way to tweak John for his masterful handling of guns in all those westerns, Ward left “The Duke” the shotgun that the star had accidently fired during a hunting trip. With that shotgun, John had injured his friend, one of USC’s top Uglies.

Maybe you heard about this story from January as wintry weather passed through the northeast. A high school football coach followed a school tradition. His players learned about the importance of “giving back” and the school’s bonds with the community were strengthened through their acts of kindness.

The weather in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, forced cancellation of the team’s scheduled weight lifting practice. But, the team still got together to shovel, for free, the snow from driveways and walkways of neighbors who required some assistance.

In a tweet posted on January 16, Bethel Park High School Head Football Coach Brian DeLallo wrote: “Due to expected severe weather, Monday’s weightlifting workout has been canceled.  Find an elderly or disabled neighbor and shovel their driveway.  Don’t accept any money – that’s our Monday workout.”

A previous coach, Jeff Metheny, started the community activity more 20 years ago. Brian just was following the trail blazed by Jeff. No doubt that the new players, under his guidance and the support of older teammates, quickly learned that there is more to life than football.

Student-athletes David Shelpman, 16, and Aidan Campbell, 17, were among the 40 teammates who moved snow for neighbors. David shoveled for about seven hours and Campbell toiled for about five hours. When he put his shovel aside, David and his mom volunteered to serve a spaghetti dinner for homeless veterans.

Helping his neighbors “makes me feel like a part of something bigger than myself,” said David. “I definitely always do feel good about being able to help others out.”

As the players cleared snow, they enjoyed many opportunities to interact with their neighbors. Education and sports are important to Bethel Park, and Mother Nature’s winter blankets showcases the kindness of its young residents.

Jeannie Morris passed away at the age of 85 during December. Possibly you never heard her name. Then, you certainly were not aware of her significant contributions to the sports world.

Jeannie was a pioneer in Chicago sports journalism. Knowledge, writing and perseverance propelled her print and television success. Among her accomplishments:

• First woman to report live from the Super Bowl (1975).
• Multiple Emmy Awards.
• First woman to receive the Ring Lardner award for excellence in sports journalism (2014).
• When NFL press passes declared “No Women or Children Allowed in the Press Box” and she could not cover a Bears game, she sat on top of the press box during the icy game.
• Her sports column, “Football Is a Woman’s Game,” ran on the “women’s pages” that once were prominent in newspapers.
• Interviewed male and female sports stars, including Chris Evert, Joe Namath, Fran Tarkenton and Don Meredith. She never hesitated to tell an athlete, “Hey, you didn’t answer my question.’”

Possibly Jeannie’s most significant accomplishment, besides raising four children, was her 1971 book, Brian Piccolo: A Short Season. The story contributed to the legacy of the Bears’ running back who died from cancer. His life and friendship with teammate Gale Sayers were celebrated in the television movie Brian’s Song.

The book led to the success of the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund. Jeannie allocated all proceeds to the fund and to the player’s daughters. Despite her own battle with cancer over the last year, Jeannie roused herself a couple of weeks before her death to request that any donations in her memory “go to the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund.”

Jeannie was passionate about sports for almost all of her 85 years. Her love for athletics came from her mother, who was a huge sports fan. Her father, she once recalled, could care less about sports.

Christian Anderson was preparing for his junior season at quarterback with the United States Military Academy at West Point. While in Miami during spring break, the 2017 graduate of Cardinal Hayes High School in The Bronx was called home.
Christian’s parents were quarantined for two weeks. They were among the first New York cases of COVID-19. Christian remained with his parents until June. While caring for them, he borrowed a lifting bar and some weights from his high school and trained in the basement of the family home. A disciplined strength and conditioning program added 20 pounds to his frame.
After four games this season with Army, Christian was the team’s second leading rusher. His coach’s praise includes “important player,” “impactful role” and “a guy New York City can really be proud of.”
His high school coach certainly is proud of Christian’s success at the academy. Christian had thrown for 3,653 yards during his senior season, earning him first-team all-state honors and leading Cardinal Hayes to the state final.
Unfortunately, injuries have mounted for Christian following the good start to the season. He now shares playing time with several other Black Knights. A systems engineering major at West Point, Christian became inspired about the academy when he attended the 2016 Army-Navy game. He was overwhelmed as he witnessed the spirit of the cadets as they rushed field when Army broke a 14-game losing streak to Navy.
Throughout the season, Christian’s focus has been to help Army accomplish all its goals on the gridiron. One of the primary goals every season is to defeat Navy. Though Christian did not play in that game just a handful of days ago, the Black Knights did place a checkmark next to that contest on the schedule.

On March 4, 1982, Rocky was born to New York Jets defensive tackle Marty Lyons and his wife. Marty recalls that the moment was a tremendous joy.

Unfortunately, tragedy struck the Lyons family during the following days. His father died from a heart attack at the age of 58. Two days later, a boy of five who Marty served as a Big Brother, died from leukemia.

What should have been a happy time for Marty instead left him shaken. Known for his toughness on the field, he now was searching for answers.

Eventually, Marty realized that highs and lows are part of life. Then, he said, it dawned on him that “this was the platform God gave me, to play in the NFL, and use that platform to help terminally ill children.”

The pain now made sense to Marty and it gave him a purpose beyond professional football.

The Marty Lyons Foundation began later that year. The organization’s mission is to grant wishes to children between three and 17 years old who have a terminal or life-threatening illness. Wishes can be a trip to Disney World or a laptop for schoolwork from the hospital.

Marty clearly remembers the first wish that came to the foundation. The young man, Steven, hoped to attend the Super Bowl in Tampa when the Oakland Raiders played the Washington Redskins.  Marty asked the Jets organization for guidance. The Jets organized a press conference to announce that they would be granting the wish and raised awareness for the new foundation. Unfortunately, Steven passed away before the foundation granted his wish. Despite only briefly knowing each other, Steven impacted Marty’s life.

Steven was proud to be the first wish for the new foundation. The boy’s father, shortly after his son died, gave Marty some insight on how to proceed — “Just remember one thing: do it because you want to do it. Don’t do it because you want to read about it.”

Close to 40 years later, Marty’s foundation now has operations in 13 states. Almost 8,000 children have received their wishes. Hundreds of wishes await funds to be granted.

The foundation actively is fundraising and seeking donations as the number of wishes far exceeds the financial resources provided by donations. Ninety percent of all donations are dedicated to the wish program.

Marty accomplished much on the field, placing him in the Jets Ring of Honor. His legacy, though, will be his work with the foundation, though he insists his contributions are nothing compared to the young people who are fighting life-altering diseases. He always states that the boys and girls who pass away are teachers and that the rest of us need to take the time to develop relationships with them and listen to their messages.

Jayden Jenkins fell in love with football at an early age. But the young man always has been realistic, knowing that sports can only get a kid so far in life. Jayden quickly learned that education is key for career and life advancement.

As classes ended this past June at Stepinac High School in White Plains, Jayden announced that he planned to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point to play football and build a career in the military.

“I’m ready to leave,” Jayden announced at the time.

Jayden was raised in the South Bronx. He wanted to play basketball to follow in the footsteps of his father. But, when he was introduced to football by older cousins, he became hooked on the game by the age of six.

Through middle school, Jayden played for the Harlem Jets, the oldest and largest of the Jet’s community programs with more than 250 boys between the ages of five and 18. He was a running back and a scoring machine. He enjoyed the contact.

When it came time to explore high schools, Jayden noticed that many kids who played football at that level were built much larger than his slim frame. So, when he got to Stepinac, he hit the weight room, bulked up and practiced. He helped his school win two state championships.

Football has allowed Jayden to mature and become a leader, and he repeatedly has acknowledged the significant support he has received from coaches along the way. He also praises his parents, Ronald and Lanel, who kept him focused on education.

Jayden learned that many kids, especially in his Bronx neighborhood, aren’t as fortunate to have his drive, coaches who care and two involved loving parents. He credits football and basketball for keeping him off the streets and out of trouble. He credits his parents for helping him strive for success in the classroom.

As his high school play improved, Columbia, Sacred Heart, Army and Navy watched him. Nothing, though, felt right until he visited West Point. The size of the school and its atmosphere made him feel welcome.

“I was shocked,” he said when he learned that he had been accepted at the U.S. Military Academy. “My parents told me my time is going to come.”

The best way to describe the first few days of 2020 is to use a football term – the new year began with a fantastic “super bowl” event.

I was invited to become involved with the Suffolk County Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. The chapter has been celebrating local high school and college players for many years. Now named in my honor, the chapter invited me to speak with the students, their families and their coaches, and to present its prestigious Top Scholar Athlete Award for 2019.

Though I am more known for my career as a lacrosse player and as a supporter of Long Island youth and college lacrosse programs, I did play football and set a few records at Half Hollow Hills High School East in Dix Hills during the 1970s. For the last several years for the National Football Foundation, I have sponsored the Mr. Football New York City Player of the Year Award presented by the New York City Chapter.

At the Suffolk chapter awards program on January 5, more than 50 high school and several college scholar athletes were celebrated for their outstanding achievements in the classroom, on the gridiron and in their communities. The Top Scholar Athlete Award, which also has been named in my honor, was presented to Christopher Daleo of Westhampton Beach High School. Here is a summary of Christopher’s incredible high school achievements.

Academics:

• Carries a 96 unweighted average and scored 1360 on the SAT and 34 on the ACT.
• Enrolled in 10 Advanced Placement courses during high school. Recipient of the AP Capstone Diploma. Received designation of AP Scholar with Distinction.
• Member of the National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, World Language Honor Society and Math Honor Society.
• Recipient of the Journalism Award presented to the top journalism student in the school district.
• Elected senior class president.

Football:

• First Team All-Division, First Team All-County.
• Team captain.
• Two-way starter. Two-year varsity record, including playoffs, was 18-3.

Community:

• Founder, Church Youth Leadership Ministry, expanding the group to more than 30 students.
• Volunteer for the “Adopt-A-Family” program that provides local families with a helping hand.
• Contributes his time to the Westhampton Beach Oyster Festival and the Westhampton Beach Talent Show.
• A peer tutor for younger students.

Wow!

Christopher is going places in school, in sports and in life. I am glad that we met, and I wish him all the best!