Annika is ready for the next stage in her life. She’s ready to settle down with her soon-to-be husband and start a family. Justine, on the other hand, went through a public divorce and is ready to start the next phase of her life. It will be interesting to watch. Will either decide that the thrill of competition is too hard to walk away from? Only time will tell, but we should be thankful for their commitment to their sport, their impeccable reputations, and their gracious exits from the sports that they so love!

But Friday, I opened the paper to read about one of the good guys. Warrick Dunn, began the Warrick Dunn Foundation “Home for the Holidays” charity almost the very day he was drafted back in 1997 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has already assisted 77 single parents and 201 children realize their dream of owning their own home. Warrick focuses on families who have “demonstrated a commitment to advance financial independence and stability.” In other words, parents (mainly mothers) who have worked their butts off to provide for their families, but still struggle to make ends meet. Warrick does all this in honor of his mother, Betty Smothers, a single parent police officer who was shot and killed in 1993.

The Foundation provides, not only down payment assistance but also, with the help of community sponsors, furnish the house with everything from appliance to hand towels, stock the kitchen and gives a monetary contribution to help support the family. This past Mother’s Day, Warrick helped three families in the Tampa Bay area. Happy Mother’s Day.

If you’re looking for someone else to cheer for, here are a couple of my favorites.

1. Brandt Snedeker. He’s my new favorite. Though he did win Rookie of the Year last year, he came into the spotlight during the Masters a couple weeks ago. He was in contention for the win all four days but began to fall apart on the last nine holes. Brandt’s tearful post round interview was all the talk on Monday. Golfers usually try to subdue their emotions, but there was Brandt, out right weeping for the cameras. He realized just how close he had come; he thought about his mother, who had had open heart surgery a couple months back, and still carried his bag during the practice round on Wed.; he thought, “why am I crying on national TV…” Watch him this weekend. He has a goofy grin on his face no matter how bad it gets. He’s fun!

2. Ernie Els. The Big Easy. Ernie recently announced that his 5 year-old son has autism and Ernie has come out as a spokesperson for the Autism Society. He has a new logo on his golf bag: “Autism Speaks”. Ernie Els is a very private, family man, so for him to come out and expose personal information regarding his home life was probably very difficult, but he knew he had to bring autism into the public’s eyes and fight for a cure.

3. Adam Scott. Well, see for yourself:

But now, his character is coming under questions again. Country music singer Mindy McCready has confirmed that she and Roger have had a relationship for years, starting when she was 15 years old, though they both claimed it didn’t become intimate until she was older. But what 28 year-old man would have a 15 year-old to his hotel room. For that, I question his integrity. (Also, keep in mind that Roger has been married to wife, Debbie, pictured below, for years and has portrayed himself as a devoted husband and family man in his congressional hearing). Of course, once one story rolls out, many follow. There are reports of women all across the country, mainly in the cities he played in: Boston, with the Red Sox, New York with the Yankees and Tampa, with Yankees Spring Training.There is even talk of an alleged relationship with golfer John Daly’s former wife. Jeez, he is one busy man.

I know none of this should matter in his fight to clear his name of steroid use, but if he can lie so often and so long to his wife, how hard is it to lie to anyone else? We shall see. Roger is under investigation by the FBI for perjury in the hearings. These hearings started out as a he said/he said. It’s now become he said/he said/she said/she said/she said…

And run she did. In fact Eight Belles beat out 18 of the strongest, fastest horses in the world. But then, she suddenly collapsed after crossing the finish line in second place. She had fractured both front ankles, the left one leaving open skin, allowing contamination to set in. She had also broken at least one sesamoid bone. She was euthanized as she lay on the track.

As far back as most can remember, no horse has ever been put down right on the track…

The jockeys wear silks, or their satin uniform. It is thought that King Charles II instituted the rule that the jockeys wear different and bright colors so the spectators could spot their favorites easier. The colors are established by the horse owners and the combinations of colors seems to be endless.

Since 1924, the winner of the Derby, is presented with a gold trophy. It was commissioned by Churchill Downs President Matt Winn as a way to commemorate the 50th running of the Derby. The 14-karat gold trophy is 22 inches tall and weighs 56 ounces. It takes hundreds of hours to make and the process begins the fall of the previous year. It is the only solid gold trophy of it’s kind. Other sports use different types of materials for their trophy, but this is the only gold one.

The Derby is also referred to as the Run for the Roses. The rose is the official flower of the race and winner is strewn with a rose covered blanket. 554 roses are used to make the seal of the Commonwealth on one side and the famous two spires with the number of running on the other. There are also several types of flowers (roses, ferns) and ribbon that make up the Crown, which symbolizes the heart and the challenge of the winners to reach the winner’s circle.

Be sure to tune in right before the Derby to hear the crowd break out in a rendition of “My Old Kentucky Home”. It is believed to have started back in 1921 when a reporter mentioned it an article. Since 1936, the University of Louisville Marching Band has performed the song as the horses are being lead to the starting gate. Want to sing along:

MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME

By Stephen Foster

The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,
Tis summer, the people are gay;
The corn-top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom
While the birds make music all the day.

The young folks roll on the little cabin floor
All merry, all happy and bright;
By’n by hard times comes a knocking at the door
Then my old Kentucky home, Good-night!

Weep no more my lady. Oh! Weep no more today!
We will sing one song for my old Kentucky home
For the old Kentucky home, far away.

Mint Juleps have been a fixture at the Derby for more than 18 years. Each year, over 120,000 fans are served-using roughly 10,000 bottles of Early Times Mint Julep Cocktails poured over some 60,000 bags of ice and 1,000 lbs of crushed mint.

Are you having your own Kentucky Derby party? Well, here’s the official recipe from Early Times:

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups water
• Sprig of fresh mint
• Crushed ice
• Early Times Kentucky Whiskey

To make the syrup, start by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with 7 sprigs of fresh mint, refrigerate overnight. Make one julep by a filing a julep cup with crushed ice, one tablespoon of the mint syrup and two ounces of whiskey. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

Enjoy!

There will be one anxious player waiting to hear about his destiny. To Army’s Caleb Campbell, this draft could mean life or death. If he goes undrafted, he will possibly be sent to Iraq or Afghanistan as a second lieutenant. That being said, he knew what he was getting into when he signed up and would proudly serve. “I came here after 9/11; I knew what to expect,” said Caleb. we’ve been trained to lead troops into battle. I expected to do that. I didn’t expect the Army to give me an opportunity to play in the NFL.”

Back in 2005, the Army passed a policy that releases cadets from their 5 yr. commitment if they have “unique talents and abilities.” I guess the Army believes that these soldiers could better serve as recruiters and spokespersons for the military. That means that Caleb would spend his 5 yrs. promoting service while playing in the NFL.

I don’t think he’ll have to worry about getting looked over. He should be drafted in the first or second round. I respect him for his willing to serve, but can also appreciate his hunger to move into the next stage in his career. Good luck Caleb!

Fast forward ten years. I’m hearing the heroes are back. We know about Shaq and his off-the-court service to his community as a reserve police officer in Miami, but I’m also hearing about guys who are more like throw-back role models of old. It’s not just the wealth and celebrity. Guys like Dwight Howard who believes Christianity has a place in the NBA. He’s been a standout player in the league for the last three years, but during the All-Star Slam Dunk contest he really made a name for himself. Dwight made famous the “Sticker Dunk”, by leaping almost 13 ft in the air, sticking a sticker on the backboard with one hand and slamming the ball in with the other. So what did the sticker say, “Phil. 4:13–All things through Christ.”

And than there’s New Orlean’s Chris Paul, last year’s Rookie of the Year. Over-coming such tragedies as the murder of his beloved grandfather his senior year in high school (he scored 61 pts in his next game to honor his grandfather’s 61 years of life) to the untimely death of his college coach, Skip Prosser, have left him humble. He has started charity programs in his home town of Winston Salem and works closely with New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush to help get their community on stable ground.

Veterans like Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, Tony Parker and Kevin Garnett are playing with as much passion and commitment to the game as they played with as rookies and are serving as mentors for up-and-comings like Deron Williams, Caron Butler, Carlos Boozer and Nate Robinson.

And, of course, there’s Cleveland’s LeBron James. Heir to the Air Jordan throne, “King James” is the face of the NBA. He appears in as many commercials running as Tiger or Peyton and even served as co-host of the ESPY Awards. But he remains a family man with his high school sweetheart and 2 children-with twins on the way. He started the LeBron James Family Foundation to assist single parent families trying to overcome life’s obstacles. LeBron is also involved in countless charities across the global, including hurricane relief efforts and Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2006, he was awarded the NBA Community Assist Award in recognition for his charitable contributions including the “King for Kids” Annual Bike-A-Thon.

These are only a few examples that strengthen the notation that the good guys are back. Their playing for their teams and for their communities and finally for the love of the game. I’m thinking it’s time for me to start watching again.

Michelle Wie has tried, so has Annika Sorenstam. But only Danica Patrick has taken on the boys, and won. She made it to Victory Lane and the history books on Sunday after winning her first Indy race at the Japan 300. This was her 50th start since she came on the scene in 2005.

She became emotional after long hugs from her family and team mates, something she said she wouldn’t do after her first victory. “I feel like a wuss for crying,” she said adding later that it was a girlie moment. But, why should she feel that way? She may be the first woman to cross-over into a male dominated sport and win, but she’s not the first to cry.

Just this past month, we have seen Brett Favre’s emotionally charged press conference at his retirement and we were moved by his tears. After his Master’s loss to Trevor Immelman, Brent Snedeker cried crocodile tears during an interview and we were sympathetic. But, I’m sure sports fan’s all cross the nation have categorized these three moments like this: Brett-totally justified, what a career, what a man; Brent-totally understandable but, suck it up, you blew it on the back nine and Danica-totally acceptable, after all, she is a girl.

I know she has tremendous obstacles and stereotypes to overcome, but no one should have to apologize for showing true emotion at the moments of victory or defeat. Tiger crying in his caddy’s arms after winning his first tournament after the death of his dad; half the Boston Red Sox locker room after their first World Series title back in 2004; Michael Jordan clutching his national championship trophy after his first win. These pictures are etched in our brains and as time goes by, these are the images we think of when remembering victories. Of course, on the flip-side, Terrell Owens’ “tears” after their loss in the playoffs this year, well, not so much. If you’re going on national TV to defend your quarterback and his pop-star girlfriend’s decision to go to Mexico during the post season and you want to show your anger and frustration towards the press, it’s best to actually have tears running down your face while making sobbing noises. But that’s another story entirely.

Danica is one of the best role models young women and girls can have in today’s world. She has succeeded, and will continue to succeed, based on her own hard work, talent and determination. Earlier this year, she took offense to a maneuver by fellow racer, Dan Wheldon, had some choice words with him after the race and actually threw in a little shove. Whether justified or not, I think she gained a little respect from the racing community that day, but she gained even more with her victory this weekend. Tears or no tears.