Brady Hoke A Reminder There Can Be Role Models In Football

Apr 13, 2013; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Brady Hoke walks on the field during the Spring Game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Twelve-year-old Ohio State Buckeyes fan Grant Reed gained national notoriety this month when he overcame the brain cancer he named “Michigan.”

Among those who took notice of Reed’s victory was Michigan Wolverines head coach Brady Hoke, who the Associated Press reports offered Reed and his family tickets to November’s installment of The Game.

The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is one of the most intense in all of sports, but Hoke’s gesture is a reminder that it’s ultimately just a game.

Elsewhere in the Big Ten, the Nebraska Cornhuskers adopted seven-year-old Jack Hoffman as a teammate — but really, it was the Huskers who became members of Team Jack. His touchdown run in the Nebraska spring game earned Moment of the Year at last week’s ESPYs.

One can easily grow jaded following college football. Player arrests and suspensions have marred this off-season. The ongoing lawsuit against the NCAA is a reminder of that the sport has become a multi-billion-dollar business that has failed to keep up with proportionately compensating those responsible for its popularity.

I assume no one got into the game because of Tier 3 rights, conference alignment or players’ partying habits. Seeing a favorite team or athlete achieve feats of greatness probably excited and inspired you as a young fan.

There are those who will argue athletes should not be role models. Their point is valid, but frankly unrealistic. So long as youngsters follow sports, they will look up to athletes and coaches.

When Brady Hoke embraces a rival fan’s victory over cancer, Taylor Martinez stands alongside a courageous young admirer, Todd Graham takes time for a dying supporter, among any number of admirable deeds, it fulfills the expectation we have of role models.