4. Maurice Cheeks: Dallas Mavericks vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 2003
Natalie Gilbert, winner of he Blazers’ “Get the Feeling of a Star” promotion, was elected to sing the National Anthem in a game against the Mavericks. Midway through the song, Gilbert froze and forgot the lyrics. Thousands looked on as Gilbert stood helpless. Then Portland coach Maurice Cheeks came to the rescue. He stood with the 13-year-old and sang the rest of the song with her. As it ended, Cheeks gave Gilbert and the Rose Garden burst into applause.
“You know, I don’t know. I think as I saw her stumble on the words, she looked helpless, and I just started walking,” Cheeks said. “I had no idea what I was going to do, what I was going to say. But as I approached her, I just wanted to help her, and I didn’t know if I even knew the words … I just wanted to help her out. I didn’t want her to stand there helpless, nothing to do. So I just wanted to help her out.”
The Good Men Top 10 Moments in Sportsmanship: Adam Van Houten, Paolo Di Canio, Andy Roddick, Luz Long, Tana Umaga, Darius McNeal and Dave Rohlman, Maurice Cheeks, Armando Galarraga, Pat Tillman, Pee Wee Reese
Thanks for posting this…I linked to it today from my blog…http://jbmthinks.com/2012/08/links-to-share.html/
While Umaga might have done one good thing in his career he was a filthy cheat who nearly ended the career of the person who could have been the best ever rugby player just to gain an advantage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsXJyDHFKn0
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Landy – John Landy for his performance in the 1500 metres final at the 1956 Australian National Championships prior to the Melbourne Olympic Games. Stopped to help Ron Clarke who’d fallen on the track.
This one should be number 1. This man was on track for a world record, and still went on to win the race from half a lap down. A true sportsman and a great Athelete.
I agree, watching the Landy/Clarke race is the most amazing example of sportsmanship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wQLEKw0Nkc
Fantastic list! And it’s great to see an All Black make the list (I’m a proud Kiwi) although I’m sure Tana Umaga’s inclusion might make a few British rugby fans annoyed considering they blame him for a certain “malicious” spear tackle that ended Brian O’Driscoll’s Lions tour in 2005. But I think this shows what kind of a man he really is.
Yes you are completely right, I am very annoyed at his inclusion on this list and how can a rugby supporter call Brian O’Driscoll British. The team is called the British and IRISH Lions and anyone who watches rugby knows BOD is Irish. And it did more than end his Lions tour, he wasn’t back to his former fantastic self for at least 2 years. Sorry rant over, but 7 years on Tana Umaga is still a touchy subject in my parts!
What do you mean they “blame” Umaga for the spear tackle ? The choice of words seems to suggest that Umaga was possibly innocent of this premeditated and violent act which could easily have ended O’Driscoll’s career. Umaga wasn’t innocent and nether was Mealamu. The All Blacks lost a lot of respect after that incident and it is disappointing that Kiwi fans fail to admit that both players were guilty of committing a dangerous tackle on the field of play.
try to publish frequently, i will be very pleased.http://www.simularfinanciamento.org
How about Bobby Jone’s self-reported 2 stroke penalty during a playoff in the 1925 US Open? I really think it speaks to doing what is right, even when no one is looking.
Nicely done. So fine to be able to highlight the good in sports.
Nice work, John. Very moving.
nice article! I teared up several times during the course of reading it.
Some great moments there. One of my favourites, which is similar to the Di Canio one I guess is http://www.mightyleeds.co.uk/players/charles4.htm “Charles may have been a messy eater in those early days, but in the No 9 shirt he was both a physical colossus and a gentleman; even the fans of Juventus’ bitter city rivals Torino worshipped him. “I didn’t set out to win them over but in my first Turin derby I beat the centre-half but accidentally struck him with my elbow and knocked him clean out. I only had the goalie to beat but it didn’t seem fair so… Read more »
Tremendous article, on a bright spring day when our sons and daughters don’t have sports heroes to admire, this shows a great difference in what is being taught in the world today. THIS is what those dreams should be made of. How do i get a copy to my sons coaches??
thank you!!
great article
Love collection of well written essays. Yes, that Cheeks moment is heartwarming and so unusual in our culture. He showed himself to be a gentleman who really “stepped up to the plate” to mix metaphors. Nice to see incidents, like a boy playing after his mom die, get the attention they deserve instead of a MLB or NFL “best of” list. Yes Lincecum is amazing, but it’s that first photo of the little boys that steals my heart.
Five Lessons in Michigan sportsmanship: http://www.greatlakesguru.com/2010/06/michigan-sports-sermon.html
I also remember how Galarraga handled himself after that blown call, class act
Great article
Great list! That Maurice Cheeks video and quote brought tears to my eyes