Inspirational sports stories and athletes

[PapaJupe2k]

Hi Schmoes. Well I thought of this topic while in conversation with Morgana about the "Why do we have a sports forum" thread. I just got to thinking about some of the more inspirational people and moments of the sports world. I'll bet some you older Canadian schmoes remember Terry Fox, the cancer amputee who ran across Canada with a prosthetic leg in the early '80s to raise money for cancer research. I was too young to actually remember when this happened, but I remember watching the movie they made about him on HBO about every time it was on with my mother. There are many more inspirational stories other than this, but I wanted to share this with everyone who didn't know or had forgotten.

http://archives.cbc.ca/300c.asp?IDCat=69&IDDos=71&IDLan=1&IDMenu=69

I'll post some more later, if anyone else has any post them here and try to get a story with it if at all possible.:cool:

[Grebdron]

Can't be arsed sifting through the THOUSANDS of articles on him, but I'm sure most here are well-acquainted with Lance Armstrong's personal battles, and ultimate domination.

And one word...

RUUUUUUUUUUUUDY

Here's Rudy's story, for anybody interested.

http://www.barberusa.com/motive/ruettiger_rudy.html

[PapaJupe2k]

Aaaah yes Rudy.:cool:

Well I'm going to a lighter note here as well, my next story isn't funding cancer research or anything, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention it. Of course I'm talking about the saga of the small town 1954 Milan Indaina basketball team that upset Muncie Central to win the state championship and the story that was remade into my favorite movie.

http://www.roundaboutmadison.com/Inside%20Pages/Archived%20Articles/2001/6_01milanbball.html

[Morgana]

My favorite sports inspiration story is that of Marla Runyan. She's a middle distance runner who is legally blind. She started out in the Special Olympics, but now she runs with the regular field...and she's damn good. I had an article on her, but the link doesn't seem to be working.

Also, watching the Ironman Triathlon is just one huge inspirational event for me. The amateurs who compete in this event all have their own reasons for doing so, for example... this year they had a NYC firefighter who was doing the triathlon to honor his firefighter buddies who had fallen in 9/11, I had to get the kleenex out when he crossed the finish line. And it's just one story after another like that, it's hard not to get emotional, and it's hard not to feel inspired. You just honestly pull for everyone to finish this excruciating race, and when they do...the feeling is just indescribable.

[bmain77]

To quote my all time fav. t-shirt:

RUDY SUCKED!!!!!!!

but then again I'm a bit prejudiced there, however I do have a serious rant about Rudy if I ever get around to it I'll post it.


but seriously this time I'm going to go with a home town boy and throw out the name Jim Abbot. Born with one arm, but was actually a very successful high school qb here in flint. Then went on to dominate college baseball then win a gold medal in the olympics. We all know his pro career was sort of up and down, but he did pitch a no hitter.

[Benny]

Lance Armstrong.

The guy is on his last legs, dying of testicular cancer. He has a 10% chance of living. Three years later, with only one nut, he wins the Tour de France, the Holy Grail of bicycle races, and has won it again every year since. He has truly done something amazing, I'm glad he finally won SI Sportsman of the Year last year.

Also, Cal Ripken Jr. beating the cosecutive games record was very inspirtational to me when I was younger. Ripken managed to fight through many injuries and other problems just to come, show up, and play every day for 2,632 straight games. He still is definitely a hero of mine.

The Jamaican Bobsled team in 1988, they sucked, but they were so much fun to watch and such an anomaly up against countries that actually had snow.

Finally, all the people who even participate in things like Special Olympics and Wheelchair Marathons are inspirational. Some have very severe diabilities, yet most are able to compete and do well in their sports.

[TheDeadWalk]

Lawrence Taylor inspired us all not to smoke crack.

[martyds761]

Lance Armstrong
Colt Wynn
Marla Runyen
John McClean
Dennis Newman
Don Long