In 2004 the Giant's GM, Ernie Accorsi, traded with San Diego for Eli Manning. The skeptics main gripe came down to this summation: if his last name were not Manning, he would not be the number one pick. I contend with hindsight's justification that being a Manning was the very reason for the Giants to trade for him. He had the physical gifts of a future NFL quarterback that were displayed at Mississippi, and he had the family pedigree to know he would apply those gifts to the best of his ability. Moreover, the Giants would have someone the team could proudly put out as the face of the organization. The two other highly drafted quarterbacks that year were Ben Rothlisberger and Philip Rivers. Both of them have had very good careers with Rothlisberger winning two Superbowls. However, Ben has not been a model citizen, and Rivers has yet to make it to the Superbowl. Eli has proven all those skeptics wrong.
Serana Williams has been the best player of her generation and a top five player of all time. Until recently, Venus had been the best of the second group of current players. With twenty-one Grand Slam titles between them and a dozen years each of highly competitive play these women have lived up to most of their father's glorious predictions all those years ago. When reading quotes of Serana from 1999, you can understand how much confidence Richard instilled in his daughters. "I always believe in the best in myself," Serena said. "I believe that I can be the best and . . . I'm here to be the best. I can't be anything other than that. If I don't have any expectations of myself, then I shouldn't be here right now."1
Archie Manning and Richard Williams set the foundations for their children to succeed at the highest levels. Earl Woods also boasted of his phenom and led him to greatness, while Dorothy and Sanderson Jeter gave quiet substance to the Yankee great. I would further contend that most superstars have their parents or an adult role model to thank for all the emotional and physical support, the values of hard work to attain goals, and the model to handle all the rewards, Tiger Woods not withstanding.
Unfortunately, we also see the downside every day from hockey dads beating up refs to Stefano Capriatti acknowledging his role in Jenifer's burnout. And let us not forget Todd Marinovich's disastrous career as robo-quarterback. However, like in any aspect of life most parents try their best, They set goals, boundaries, and values for the future sports stars, doctors, entrepreneurs, and even Presidents. My son may not have the athletic ability to quarterback for the Giants, but he might represent the next Eli Manning.
