2005-07-14
Green outclasses Yellow
I used to be a big fan of Lance Armstrong. What's not to like? He's one of the world's fittest athletes, extremely disciplined, a cancer survivor, and 6-time winner of the most grueling contest in sports. But he's a failure as a family man. Lance was married to Kristin Richard. They had three children, a boy and twin girls. Four and a half years into the marriage they divorced. Only Lance and Kristin know the reasons for their divorce. Nevertheless, I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that Lance's absence from home was a contributing factor. You can't be much of a husband and father if you're not around. To his absence I'll add a desire to rub elbows with really cool people like his pal Robin Williams and of course his main squeeze these days, Sheryl Crow. So, instead of spending time with Kristin and his three children, Luke, Isabelle and Grace, Lance is hanging with Sheryl Crow and her crowd.I remember, as a kid, hearing my parents talking about some family friends who were probably going to get a divorce. Divorce was a bad word, a word with lots of shame attached. Not any more - especially in the lifestyles of the rich and famous. So when Lance retires after winning his 7th and last Tour de France the Hollywood crowd will swell with pride that such an extraordinary athlete is one of their own, and the Entertainment Tonight, VH-1 and MTV crowd will wallow in the coverage of Lance and Sheryl. A husband and wife sitting around watching E.T. and thinking to themselves -- "Man, wouldn't it be great to be Lance and hang with Sheryl Crow?" "If I were Sheryl, Lance Armstrong would take me shopping in Paris."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, today, Jack Nicklaus, one wife, father or five, grandfather of many, competes in his last Tour-nament, the 2005 British Open.
Jack and Barbara Nicklaus at 1972 Masters.
You've built strong bonds within your family. How difficult was this, having to be away from home so often in your career? "It was not difficult at all, because I made family my top priority. Golf always came second to family. I have had a rule throughout my career that I would never be away from my family for more than two weeks. I broke that rule once, and that was when my wife Barbara and I went to South Africa many, many years ago, and stayed for some 17 days. Even then, we took Barbara's parents with us."Jack attends little league games and recitals, always has. Jack's son Jackie caddied his dad to the 1986 green jacket. I bike way more than golf but I've always been a big fan of Jack Nicklaus.
Comments:
<< Home
WebPosted Fri, 15 Jul 2005 14:26:27 EDT,CBC Sports
"After blowing a kiss to an appreciative gallery, the emotional 65-year-old hugged his son and caddy Steve after picking up his ball and walked off the green with his left arm around five-time British Open champion Tom Watson.
Nicklaus then shared a kiss, hug and a few words with his wife Barbara."
"After blowing a kiss to an appreciative gallery, the emotional 65-year-old hugged his son and caddy Steve after picking up his ball and walked off the green with his left arm around five-time British Open champion Tom Watson.
Nicklaus then shared a kiss, hug and a few words with his wife Barbara."
ANOTHER UPDATE
Yesterday Lance finished the Tour de France with the yellow jersey. The praise from CNN knew no bounds, at one point the reporter declared Lance "the perfect role model". That reporter is either forgetting or not caring about one essential part of civilized society - stable, healthy families.
Yesterday Lance finished the Tour de France with the yellow jersey. The praise from CNN knew no bounds, at one point the reporter declared Lance "the perfect role model". That reporter is either forgetting or not caring about one essential part of civilized society - stable, healthy families.
When I first heard of Lance Armstrong years ago and his fight with cancer, I was impressed with his drive to beat the cancer and occupy his body & mind with a healthy life goal--cycling and spending time with his new son. Even the yellow wrist bands---Live Strong---was appealing & inspirational. However, as time passed and the more I listened to him I realized that he developed a distorted ego. I hope Lance redicovers what is truly important in life. Fame is good---it's what you do with it that counts. Of course, divorce just added to my displeasure with Lance Armstong. I leave what happpened between he & his wife to them and wish both better luck in their new turn of events.
I am glad that I have a husband who is a wonderful family man! He is not only a good husband, but also a fabulous father to our sweet daughter.
Post a Comment
I am glad that I have a husband who is a wonderful family man! He is not only a good husband, but also a fabulous father to our sweet daughter.
# posted by 
: Sunday, August 14, 2005 at 3:34:00 AM MDT
: Sunday, August 14, 2005 at 3:34:00 AM MDT<< Home
