Author: Don Yaeger

Tim Tebow

Written on September 1, 2009.

When Everyone is Watching… The truly Great embrace the idea of being a role model. Quick Disclaimer: I live in Tallahassee and, though I didn’t attend the school, I long ago became a fan of Florida State. And any supporter will tell you it is tough to offer praise of your fiercest rival. That makes this all the more difficult. But while celebrating the opening of college football this weekend, it was...

Warren Moon

Written on August 1, 2009.

What’s Off-Season? The truly great are always working towards the next game… Warren Moon was a quarterback. As he emphasized time and again while we were working on his recently released memoir, Never Give Up on Your Dream, he wasn’t a wide receiver or a running back. He wasn’t a defensive back. He was a quarterback – and he was determined to play that position – all the way to...

Chris Paul

Written on June 1, 2009.

Ultimate Teammate… The truly great will assume whatever role is necessary for the team to win. The 2008 United States Olympic Basketball Team had one goal in mind: to recapture the gold after earning the bronze in 2004. Dubbed “The Redeem Team,” the roster read like a future Hall of Fame ballot with names like Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Jason Kidd, and Dwight Howard listed one after...

Danica Patrick

Written on May 1, 2009.

Ice In Their Veins… The truly great are risk-takers. They don’t fear making a mistake. She suffered her first real crash in 1994 at the age of 12, two years after she began go-kart racing competitively. Some said she was just lucky she hadn’t been in a crash before. Others thought that meant she wasn’t being aggressive enough. She was coming around the final turn of the national event in Charlotte,...

Tug McGraw

Written on April 1, 2009.

Contagious Enthusiasm… The truly great are positive thinkers… they are enthusiastic… and that enthusiasm rubs off. One of the greatest parts of spring is the day baseball stadiums throughout the country open their doors. As the first pitch of the season is thrown, everyone still believes their team has a shot. In Major League Baseball – as in life – the key to success is that belief....

Showing Up To Work

Written on April 1, 2009.

Cal Ripken Jr. committed to being better at his craft. Every day. For two decades. Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means. Albert Einstein If Albert Einstein was right, Cal Ripken should have been a CEO or politician rather than a shortstop,because Ripken led by example over and over… and over again.