Written by We read about all the magnanimous generosity of sports stars in the world; giving of themselves because they have the means to help or because the cause touches them in a special or personal way.
LeBron James is giving back to his hometown of Akron, Ohio to the tune of $41 million in college scholarships. J.J. Watt raised funds for the victims of Hurricane Harvey to help repair and rebuild nearly 1,200 homes and 1,000 childcare centres in the Houston area, while also distributing 239 million meals. After Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area, Saints quarterback Drew Brees delivered more than 10,000 meals per day and he and his family have donated more than $33 million overall to benefit cancer patients worldwide as well. Former NBA center Dikembe Mutombo donated $15 million for a 300-bed hospital to be named after his late beloved mother – the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center – in Kinshasa, Mutombo’s hometown and the capital city of the Democratic Republic of Congo. And in 2015, Cristiano Ronaldo donated 7 million euros (about $8 million) to assist the citizens of Nepal after two massive earthquakes hit.
We also hear of those sporting legends who have refused to give up and have battled on despite crippling injuries that would easily bring we mere mortals down.
During the 1995 Australian rugby league ‘State of Origin’ third and deciding game, the Queensland team needed their journeyman second rower “the Axe” Trevor Gillmeister. He was unfortunately in hospital with a serious bout of septicaemia from a knee injury. But with Queensland’s honor at stake, he not only played, but managed several crunching tackles and stood up to the mighty New South Wales “hard man” Paul Harragon. Once the game was sewn up, Gillmeister returned to hospital and to his intravenous drip. He is famously reported to have said to coach Paul Vautin he might die if he played. “But what a way to go,” Vautin responded.
Dermott Brereton, in the 1989 Victorian Football League Grand Final was brutally downed and left wheezing and gasping for breath but ignoring orders from the team doctor and physiotherapist he recovered enough to kick Hawthorn’s first goal.
And embattled swimming champion, Grant Hackett faced the biggest challenge of his career when he came away with silver in the 2004 Athens Olympics 400m and then gold in world record setting time (14 minutes 43.40 seconds), defending his title in the 1500m freestyle, all with a collapsed lung functioning at only 25% capacity.
But all this heroism pales in comparison to those beautiful acts of kindness too small to be of notice to the wider world.
An Auckland woman was moved to tears after a good Samaritan stopped and helped her and her small son get on the road again in March this year. He didn’t announce himself to her but she later discovered that her rescuer was Samoan-born former New Zealand professional boxing star David Tua. This tough fighting man is known for his generous and gentle heart, he was caught on camera in 2016 lovingly serenading his new wife, Helen. The pair were then later present at Apia, the capital of Samoa where David spoke at a community concert about his struggle with depression: “To be asked to come and speak about my depression, as well as my suicidal thoughts, it’s a true blessing to help where I’m needed.”
Acts such as these mean so much to the individual and don’t always get reported in the media. This is the true mark of a giving culture; one that contributes to and attracts those special individuals that represent their sports so positively.
Acts of courage: The sports heroes who have gone above and beyond | The New Daily
The 17 Biggest Charity Donations From These Generous Athletes (thethings.com)
Auckland woman moved to tears after roadside good Samaritan revealed as David Tua | Stuff.co.nz