What do I tell my son?!

[islandah]

Tell him he's Ronnie.

Thanks for being the only one to truly answer the question. I guess I didn't ask it right. For the record: My son knows who the true role models are and we've had the discussions regarding choices, second chances, etc. I'm also not taking this too seriously, I'm just bored at work. The question is: since little boys like to emulate and root for sport stars, it would be nice if he had one on the Phins to root for. Who do you think that should/will be this year, specifically at RB?

 

[byroan]

Actually..just let him be Barry Sanders. That's who I was as a kid and I was still a Dolphin fan. I wasn't about to be John Avery or Sammie Smith.

 

[islandah]

Okay, go old skool w/ him,

tell him he is Czonka, let him run over you
tell him he is Morris, let him run past you
tell him he is Crash, let him throw it to himself and score
tell him he is Sammie Smith, strip him at the 1
tell him he is Higgs, let him jump over the top
tell him he is Cecil Colins, ummmm, son, don't do that.
tell him he is [font=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=-1]Benny [/size][/font][font=Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=-1]Malone, Stan Mitchell, Rick Moser, Barry Pryor, who are you again son??
tell him he is Lawrance Phillips, or not
tell him he is Bernee Parmalie, or Ronnie Brown, make some clever UPS/Brown do for you comments...
tell him he is Tony Nathan, one of great ones

that'll learn him!
[/size][/font]

Best answer yet, especially the Cecil Collins!

 

[byroan]

Who do you think that should/will be this year, specifically at RB?

I'd honestly choose Ronnie. Ronnie is pretty much given starter status for the first 4 games. After that, I still believe he will start but he'll share carries. If you let him be Ronnie then you shouldn't have to worry about him leaving. Ronnie should be our star RB for years to come.

 

[greatwade]

Yeah Islandah, if you want a guy who is certainly going to see the field alot, and seems a lock to be Dwayne Wade Type, character and personality-wise, pick Ronnie Brown. He'll have him to follow and root for for many years as well. Its always nice to follow a guy with one team, especially given the unlikelyhood of that in pro sports today.

 

[islandah]

Actually..just let him be Barry Sanders. That's who I was as a kid and I was still a Dolphin fan. I wasn't about to be John Avery or Sammie Smith.

Not a bad idea. I'll have to find some old video on Sanders to show him a.) the incredible talent and b.) how he calmly handed the ball to the ref after scoring- no dancing, acted like he'd been there before.

I showed him a DVD of Jordan and we both were impressed with not only his talent, but his determination and sportsmanship. When he's close to giving up or getting frustrated, I say, "Come on, Jordan," and he digs in again and succeeds.

Let's turn this into a list of other great sports figures that set good examples.

How about Joe Montana, Walter Payton, MJ, Andre Agassi and Lance Armstrong to start.

Like I said, I'm bored.

 

[islandah]

I love feeley, have his jersey, two signed mini helments,and a signed football.

Do those go on the same shelf with the Damon Huard, Jay Fiedler, Ray Lucas, and Brian Griese memorabilia? Just kidding, I couldn't resist. Go A.J.!

 

[Megatron]

Point taken, and we have that type of conversation a lot. My question is simpler:

When we play basketball, he pretends to be Dwayne Wade (I'm Shaq Daddy). When he's throwing a football, he is, of course, Dan Marino. This afternoon, we're going to run around the yard with the football. He makes a move and says, "Daddy, who am I?" What name do I give him?

(And don't give me "You're you, just try your best." He just wants a fun good sports figure to emulate like we did when we were kids. )

Sounds like he's looking for you to tell him who he's OK to be. Just tell him Walter Payton and explain that he was one of the best ever. Or tell him to be Csonka and buy the perfect season DVD and watch it with him so he'll see at one time in history players had some class.

 

[TheMageGandalf]

Point taken, and we have that type of conversation a lot. My question is simpler:

When we play basketball, he pretends to be Dwayne Wade (I'm Shaq Daddy). When he's throwing a football, he is, of course, Dan Marino. This afternoon, we're going to run around the yard with the football. He makes a move and says, "Daddy, who am I?" What name do I give him?

(And don't give me "You're you, just try your best." He just wants a fun good sports figure to emulate like we did when we were kids. )

Just say he's CHRIS CHAMBERS or MARTY BOOKER.

Damn, no respect ever for the Wide-outs I feel bad (I was a WR in my day).

 

[Roman529]

Just be honest with him...tell him that sometimes people have personal issues to deal with....like being sick...or being tired.....Only Ricky can decide what he does in life.

 

[MDFINFAN]

You tell him people aren't perfect, not even athletes. They are human just like he is. And just like he makes mistakes, football players make mistakes. But we are all entitled the chance to be forgiven and to try again.

Also it is a great chance to explain that heros are not athletes. Heros and role models are fathers, firemen, doctors, and people who are making a difference in life. Not guys who are just playing a game for entertainment.

:yeahthat:

 

[twanderer]

Players come and go, sure there will be a way to explain to a five year old. I hear you though, what Jersey do you buy??? Who is going to be THAT player that stays on the team for years to come. Hell, if nothing else, get him a throw back.

 

[ohall]

My now 5 year old boy went to his first dolphins game 2 years ago where he saw Ricky break a few runs. Ricky became his first and only sports hero that day. Fast forward to last year. I now have to explain to a 4 year old that his sports hero decided not to play anymore. Since then, there has been no replacement (Run, Travis, Run?). I actually got a Jordan video to show him what a class athlete is like.

Now how do I tell him Ricky's coming back? Do I emphasize Brown, who may not even start? How do I get him excited without building expectations in a guy who might a.) Flake out before getting through training camp, b.) just be a back-up/change of pace, c.) Bust out with 1200 yards in his 12 game season?!

Whose jersey do I get him? (He's already got a #13) What RB does he emulate when we play in the yard?

I can't find the chapter on "enigmatic fallen-then-potentially-resurrected and/or-heartbreaking sports heroes" in the Parenting for Dummies book!

Tell him someone he knows should be his hero and if he is going to cheer during a sporting event he should cheer for a team not an idividual.

 

[late again]

This actually turned into a pretty funny thread. However, fin-atic's posts, as usual are grounded in common sense and perspective. These are my thoughts, islandah. We as parents spend alot of time telling our kids what we think, believe, etc. Give your son the chance to tell you who he wants to pretend to be. The next time your son asks who am I dad? You say to him, you tell me who you are. This gives him a chance to think and you a chance to get to know him a little better.
By the way, noodlearm, is homocide killing gay people; just like homicide is murder period? Please no offense intended; it just read kind of funny. I do not judge according to spell checks-but as I said that was funny.

 

[PhinSoldia]

Get him a Feeley jersey. A kid should look up to someone that gives it everything, and remains competitive and doesnt quit even things look the darkest. He will be rewarded for all of that this year when he plays like Brees did last year.

that was sooooo...*sniff* *sniff* decent man...i wanna cry