A newfound respect for Lefty...

[mr3856a]

Read this - you'll eventually see why I put it in Tour Chatter:

Angel answers the prayers of Football's Dirtiest Player

In 1977, Conrad Dobler graced the cover of Sports Illustrated accompanied by the unflattering headline "Pro Football's Dirtiest Player." He wore the label like a badge of honor. He was brash, colorful and reckless...........


http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/spo...3?OpenDocument

[Leaguegolf]

A touching story, to say the least. Thanks for the link.

[drstroud]

Good to hear of the generosity of Phil. No to take anything away from the article. I would assume (HOPE) many PGA tour members to things like this. But if it was me, I'd not want to make it public. It would be intersting to see how much pro athletes in major sports contribute to charity as a % of what they earn. Who would be the lowest or highest?

[GolfSavage]

God bless Phil and his family for their generosity. It's heart-warming to read such stories, and nice to know "these guys are good", in more ways than one!

Many of today's pro athletes have foundations and such that work for charitable causes and promote worthwhile organizations. I know there are several former Buccaneer players, as well as former coach Tony Dungy, who continue to work in the Tampa Bay area through their giving and name recognition. Players like Warren Sapp, Joe Jurevicius, John Lynch, "Booger" McFarland and many others continue to make a differnce in people's lives. I'm sure it's the same with every team.

I believe the PGA gives more to charity each year than any other pro sport, and I'd be surprised if pro golfers weren't some of the most generous individuals in all of pro sports. Many of them probably do things like Phil has done, not for recognition but because they can.

[essurfer]

Wonderful I think it goes a long way to proiving once again that PGA pros are some of the most down t earth people around, money or not.

[tmtp]

I read that article a while ago and saw it on some other boards, I'm glad it was put up on this one. It shows how nice a person Phil is, while I may not like his playing style, he has always been a class act. I really applaud him for not seeking any extra attention for this gesture.

[Texas Wedge]

I've always liked Phil and this just exemplifies the reason why. He is a total class act. It's sad, really, that more NFL players aren't helping out former NFL players. The NFL itself should be embarrassed by their lack of assistance for former players.

I enjoy watching football, but I don't think anyone can argue the class of people in the PGA is ten times better than the NFL.

[tmtp]

Originally Posted by Texas Wedge

I've always liked Phil and this just exemplifies the reason why. He is a total class act. It's sad, really, that more NFL players aren't helping out former NFL players. The NFL itself should be embarrassed by their lack of assistance for former players.

I enjoy watching football, but I don't think anyone can argue the class of people in the PGA is ten times better than the NFL.

You got that right, the NFL is the worst league in the world when it comes to taking care of their own. The NFLPA or Union Chief, I forget which said that it was only his job to take care of current players, what a joke.

[essurfer]

Originally Posted by tmtp

You got that right, the NFL is the worst league in the world when it comes to taking care of their own. The NFLPA or Union Chief, I forget which said that it was only his job to take care of current players, what a joke.

Your right about the NFL letting their people just hang out there. During all the super bowl hype I was listenting to Tony Bruno and he had Mike Ditka on. Ditka was talking about a foundation that he was a member of that helped former players who were struggling. He was less than complementary of the NFL administration and how they treat former players.

[flomarilius]

JD is another big guy with a huge heart. This guy literally donates money left and right.. atleast all the money he doesnt lose in vegas. But on the serious note he donated quite a lump sum to the Firefighter units out in the CA area that battles the forest fires.

[Wazmankg]

Originally Posted by essurfer

Your right about the NFL letting their people just hang out there. During all the super bowl hype I was listenting to Tony Bruno and he had Mike Ditka on. Ditka was talking about a foundation that he was a member of that helped former players who were struggling. He was less than complementary of the NFL administration and how they treat former players.

It's a disgrace, with all of the money the NFL generates. We're not talking about the leather helmet guys, playing before small crowds with no TV here. The NFL was huge, generating massive money, when Dobler played. Those guys played a large role in making the game the most popular & successful sport there is ... well in this country anyway. Many of them are physical wrecks, some virtually crippled for life. Both the NFL owners & players should be ashamed of themselves.

[JungleJ]

Originally Posted by drstroud

But if it was me, I'd not want to make it public.

If you read Phil's interview on the Masters site you'll see that he actually does other things like this and prefers it not to be publicised, he's not comfortable talking about it. Which is fair enough. I guess someone else let this one go public.

The Canadian singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot used to, and probably still does, do a lot of charity work and donations, but he made it a condition of his donations that the charity not publicise it. If they did he stopped supporting them.

[droogy33]

It seems that, in some circles, it is quite fashionable to bash The Mick these days.

Some people believe Phil is a phony, while others disrespect him for not rivaling Tiger to a greater degree.

But I have heard and read far too many reports of Phil's class, generosity and integrity to think anything other than he's just a great guy.

I wasn't posting on this site when Phil reached quite a significant milestone at Pebble Beach...winning his 30th PGA TOUR title in such a classy way. But I'll take this opportunity to congratulate the great Phil Mickelson on one of the most accomplished careers in professional golfing history.

[JPsuff]

.


There's an old adage that says:

"The true test of a man's character is not measured by what he does when everyone is looking but rather by what he does when no one is looking."

Phil is indeed a class act and a selfless man and that's worth more than all the "Major" titles in the world!

Bravo, Phil!

Bravo!




-JP

[xnavyct]

Good for Phil! I was aware of his participation in helping build homes for disabled veterans, but this is the first I have heard of his helping out the Dobler family.

Many sports figures do things like this that you never hear about, and they want it that way. I have personal knowledge of a Colts player (a defensive starter) who contributes money and volunteers during his off time at an organization here in Indy for children that have lost a parent. However, he demands no publicity, and the local media has respected his wishes.

[CAPTSFD]

Great story, hats off to Phil. I have never understood the Phil bashing on other boards. Probably one reason why I'm on this one now and liking it. I'm in Louisiana, Hal Sutton and David Toms have opened a childrens hospital here. I admire golfers as players but respect them for the things they do off the course.

[J.D.]

Originally Posted by Wazmankg

It's a disgrace, with all of the money the NFL generates. We're not talking about the leather helmet guys, playing before small crowds with no TV here. The NFL was huge, generating massive money, when Dobler played. Those guys played a large role in making the game the most popular & successful sport there is ... well in this country anyway. Many of them are physical wrecks, some virtually crippled for life. Both the NFL owners & players should be ashamed of themselves.

Case in point:

[J.D.]

Originally Posted by J.D.

Case in point:

Sorry: Couldnt post the story verbatum,
but Everson Walls former Dallas Cowboy cornerback in the 80's just donated his left kidney to fellow teammate Ron Springs..

Google Fort Worth Startelegram for the Story.

JD

[Bulls9999]

No offense against Left as I love him among all the pros, but donating a 'piece of yourself' is another level above dontating money....doesn't even come close. I don't know if I could ever do that (fear of hospitals, surgery...for a 235-lb guy, I faint from even a needle)...it would have to be done by putting me under and don't wake me up until I'm fully recovered....like 1 month later (but first, I'd like to play Pebble Beach just in case I never come out of it ).

Originally Posted by J.D.

Sorry: Couldnt post the story verbatum,
but Everson Walls former Dallas Cowboy cornerback in the 80's just donated his left kidney to fellow teammate Ron Springs..

Google Fort Worth Startelegram for the Story.

JD

[J.D.]

Originally Posted by J.D.

Sorry: Couldnt post the story verbatum,
but Everson Walls former Dallas Cowboy cornerback in the 80's just donated his left kidney to fellow teammate Ron Springs..

Google Fort Worth Startelegram for the Story.

JD

Here's the Link:
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/16826938.htm

[rodney_c]

Phil certainly has my respect. He has also been very good to my favourite player, and that's been done quitely as well, so when he does help people he doesn't go out of his way looking for attention. That shows he is sincere and does plenty of good.
He's just a general nice, good family type guy really.

[Leaguegolf]

Originally Posted by rodney_c

Phil certainly has my respect. He has also been very good to my favourite player, and that's been done quitely as well, so when he does help people he doesn't go out of his way looking for attention. That shows he is sincere and does plenty of good.
He's just a general nice, good family type guy really.

My family and I spent about an hour with Phil and his family a couple of years ago and I found him to very friendly, cordial, and down to earth. I just smile when I read comments from others that have never met him, or his family, and yet think he's a phony or that the personality we see on TV isn't genuine.