I had a movie review prepared for today, but after some sad news spread across the airwaves last night, that will be pushed to Wednesday. Yesterday, one of the world's most famous people passed away at the age of 87. But it wasn't Arnold Palmer's fame that people loved; it was that he seemed so normal. What an odd and refreshing thing to say about the most influential athlete in modern history.
For those of you who may not be golf fans, here is a little perspective. Rory McIlroy just won over ten million dollars yesterday--that's right, in one day. Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth are the two best and most recognizable golfers in America at the moment. And dozens of other players from other countries routinely earn millions per year playing in tournaments around the globe. And none of that would be possible without Arnold Palmer. Furthermore, iconic sponsored athletes like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning, and others would not exist without Arnold Palmer. No athlete had a bigger influence on sport, business, and popular culture than Arnold Palmer.
But that's not still not why he is remembered. Yes, he was a great athlete with countless victories in one of the most difficult sports. Yes, he was the first athlete to become an advertising brand. But he was also perhaps the most generous athlete in history. He gave tens of millions of dollars to hospitals, which have saved thousands of children's lives. He formed a scholarship at his alma mater, Wake Forest University, that helped countless young people get their college education. He donated exorbitant amounts of time and money helping prostate cancer patients. And every person who has ever met him has appreciated how he looked everyone in the eye, spoke warmly, never hurried away because he's too important, and always signed his name so the receiver can read it. Making each person he met feel special was his greatest gift.
Imagine compiling the names of every person you've ever met--probably several thousand people. Now imagine that every single person on that list only had nice things to say about you. Is that even possible? We all have ticked off somebody, right? But Arnold Palmer met millions of people around the world in his 87 years, and no one has ever had a negative thing to say. Never. He is perhaps the most respected--not just beloved--athlete in history. Imagine having everyone you've ever met say, "My world was made markedly better by meeting you." That's the feeling Arnold Palmer brought out in others.
In our hyper-media, ultra-technological world in which all celebrities have their name and face and voice on display, begging others to notice them, Arnold Palmer quietly, humbly, and gracefully uplifted others. No sex scandals, gambling addictions, or trips to rehab. No infidelities or domestic abuse charges. No YouTube videos of drunken outbursts or illicit behavior. Nothing that would land him on TMZ or E! News. What an incredible lesson for our society today: you can become the most famous and richest person in the history of your profession, and you can do so by simply being responsible for yourself and kind to others.
He didn't smile for selfies; he smiled at the pleasure of his game and his fans. His enormous rugged hands didn't pound his own chest; they reached out to serve others. And he didn't use his voice for trash talking or feuding with competitors; he spoke for regular people, with positivity and inspiration.
If you are a young athlete, or are the parent or coach of a young athlete, please watch the Golf Channel documentary Arnie that will surely be running this week. It is a great three-part film that demonstrates what it means to not only be an incredible sports star, but more importantly, an incredible man. Arnold Palmer has been and will continue to be the standard for being gentlemanly. There is no one else like him, and he will be missed.
For those of you who may not be golf fans, here is a little perspective. Rory McIlroy just won over ten million dollars yesterday--that's right, in one day. Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth are the two best and most recognizable golfers in America at the moment. And dozens of other players from other countries routinely earn millions per year playing in tournaments around the globe. And none of that would be possible without Arnold Palmer. Furthermore, iconic sponsored athletes like Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning, and others would not exist without Arnold Palmer. No athlete had a bigger influence on sport, business, and popular culture than Arnold Palmer.
But that's not still not why he is remembered. Yes, he was a great athlete with countless victories in one of the most difficult sports. Yes, he was the first athlete to become an advertising brand. But he was also perhaps the most generous athlete in history. He gave tens of millions of dollars to hospitals, which have saved thousands of children's lives. He formed a scholarship at his alma mater, Wake Forest University, that helped countless young people get their college education. He donated exorbitant amounts of time and money helping prostate cancer patients. And every person who has ever met him has appreciated how he looked everyone in the eye, spoke warmly, never hurried away because he's too important, and always signed his name so the receiver can read it. Making each person he met feel special was his greatest gift.
Imagine compiling the names of every person you've ever met--probably several thousand people. Now imagine that every single person on that list only had nice things to say about you. Is that even possible? We all have ticked off somebody, right? But Arnold Palmer met millions of people around the world in his 87 years, and no one has ever had a negative thing to say. Never. He is perhaps the most respected--not just beloved--athlete in history. Imagine having everyone you've ever met say, "My world was made markedly better by meeting you." That's the feeling Arnold Palmer brought out in others.
In our hyper-media, ultra-technological world in which all celebrities have their name and face and voice on display, begging others to notice them, Arnold Palmer quietly, humbly, and gracefully uplifted others. No sex scandals, gambling addictions, or trips to rehab. No infidelities or domestic abuse charges. No YouTube videos of drunken outbursts or illicit behavior. Nothing that would land him on TMZ or E! News. What an incredible lesson for our society today: you can become the most famous and richest person in the history of your profession, and you can do so by simply being responsible for yourself and kind to others.
He didn't smile for selfies; he smiled at the pleasure of his game and his fans. His enormous rugged hands didn't pound his own chest; they reached out to serve others. And he didn't use his voice for trash talking or feuding with competitors; he spoke for regular people, with positivity and inspiration.
If you are a young athlete, or are the parent or coach of a young athlete, please watch the Golf Channel documentary Arnie that will surely be running this week. It is a great three-part film that demonstrates what it means to not only be an incredible sports star, but more importantly, an incredible man. Arnold Palmer has been and will continue to be the standard for being gentlemanly. There is no one else like him, and he will be missed.