North Carolina State University Athletics
Losing a Role Model
12/5/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 5, 2003
By Sharon O'Donnell (Published in Cary News, Dec. 4, 2003)
My 9-year-old son David fell asleep on the couch after the N.C. State-Maryland football game Nov. 22, which Maryland won 26-24 with a last-minute field goal. We had attended the game and came away extremely disappointed, playing a perpetual game of "What if." What if NCSU had been able to hold on to its lead against Maryland instead of fumbling and allowing the Terps to complete a comeback? What if State hadn't missed an earlier field goal? What if the Pack had won that big early season game at Ohio State instead of losing in triple overtime? What if the double-overtime Florida State game had turned out differently, instead of another heartbreaking loss?
State's season would have been more successful and the Pack would be going to a bigger bowl if some of these "what ifs" had gone its way. The season that started with such high hopes ended with disappointment, leaving nagging questions in the minds of fans and players. We were all tired that night after the Maryland game, and such questions probably made us feel even more worn out. When David finally drifted off to sleep on the couch, I took a long look at him, this son of mine who is growing up way too quickly: brown bangs fanning out across his forehead, long eyelashes against his face, freckles sprinkled across his nose. Then my eyes fell on his red football jersey, No. 17 - the jersey number of the Wolfpack's talented and popular senior quarterback, Philip Rivers.
Both David and his older brother Billy, 12, have No. 17 jerseys that they wear a lot. Now that the football season was over and so was Rivers' career at State (except for the Tangerine Bowl), the jersey took on a new meaning for me. Rivers had just had his number retired by NCSU after setting all kinds of ACC and school records, and climbing high in national statistics as well. If State had won a few more games, many people think Rivers would have won the Heisman Trophy, one of the most prestigious awards in college sports.
Yet, all the records and spectacular plays aren't what made me pause that night and look at my middle son sleeping innocently in his adored No. 17 jersey; I paused because I suddenly realized what an excellent role model my sons were losing.
In addition to being a magnificent athlete, Rivers came across as an intelligent, articulate, humble person with a good head on his shoulders. He was never in trouble off the field - a refreshing change when so many of today's sports headlines seem to be about athletes involved in altercations in bars, domestic violence, or drugs and alcohol. Demonstrating a maturity beyond his years, Rivers displayed good sportsmanship and a calm demeanor that endeared him to everyone lucky enough to see him play. His impeccable manners and easygoing personality impressed the media from day one of his freshman year, often prompting on-air compliments from sports commentators.
Married to his Alabama high school sweetheart, Rivers has proven on and off the field what dedication and devotion are all about. He seems to have his priorities in order, seeing life from a perspective most people his age cannot comprehend: He knows that football is important but there are many things in life more important. Rivers and his wife have a young daughter, and he has often remarked that spending time with her makes him realize life is not all about touchdowns. During his years at State, Rivers has taught many lessons to adults and youth about the importance of sportsmanship, the way one presents oneself, leadership, hard work, humility and dedication to family.
It is clear to me that our young people need role models more than ever, especially with society more accepting of four-letter words and jokes based on nothing but sex or alcohol. Movies that would have received an "R" rating 10 years ago are prominently displayed on "Family Films" shelves in stores. Some athletes, movie stars and recording artists care nothing about their reputations, and even less about the young people looking up to them. Like it or not, sports and entertainment are where many children and teens pick up values and attitudes.
At every football game at Carter-Finley Stadium the last four years, there have been tons of children wearing No. 17 jerseys. What Philip Rivers has given to the young people who've followed his career is worth far more than a Heisman Trophy ever could be.
Sharon O'Donnell's column, "The Home Front," appears weekly in the Cary News.
