Three of the Decade’s Best Sports Role Models

Tony Dungy, Steve Nash, and Roger Federer's accomplishments this past decade deserve further recognition. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

As the decade comes to a close, three sports persona come to mind as exemplifying success and admirable conduct. Too many times, we hear stories about athletes making too much money too soon in life and doing the wrong things. Instead, let’s celebrate success and exemplary behavior.

Tony Dungy, Steve Nash, and Roger Federer have enjoyed remarkable success in the decade of the 2000s. They are the true sports role models for kids because of their demeanor and conduct on and off the sporting stage.

‘Quiet Strength’

Tony Dungy took over the reigns of the Indianapolis Colts in January 2002 and promptly turned a 6–10 team into a 10–6 team in his first season in charge.

With Dungy at the helm and the combination of quarterback Peyton Manning and wide receiver Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis would begin a string of seven straight seasons of 12 or more wins.

Several stumbles in the playoffs never defeated Dungy. In February 2007, the Colts beat the Chicago Bears to win the Super Bowl, and Dungy became the first black head coach to win a Super Bowl.

Dungy is well known for his charitable work with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mentors for Life, and Athletes in Action, to name a few. He also works with the United Way of Central Indiana and the American Diabetes Association.

Dungy is a New York Times best-selling author of two books. “Quiet Strength” details his rise to the top of his profession in the face of enormous obstacles, and “Uncommon” tells how one can achieve significance through lessons learned from a life in athletics.

Former Oakland Raiders defensive lineman Warren Sapp called Dungy “the greatest man I’ve ever met in my life.” Dungy is an inspiration not only for his achievements, but also for his conduct as a coach and his continuing work helping others.

He is enjoying his first season as the primary football analyst on NBC’s “Football Night in America.”

Canadian Assist Machine

Steve Nash was named NBA MVP in 2005 and 2006 and almost again in 2007. His statistics this past decade, which began with Dallas and will end with Phoenix, speak for themselves.

Last season, he became the first player in NBA history to shoot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three-point range, and 90 percent free throws. Two seasons ago, he became the first NBA player since Magic Johnson in 1990–91 to average 18 points per game and 11 assists per game.

The perennial NBA All-Star established the Steve Nash Foundation to help underserved children in their health, personal development, education, and enjoyment of life.

Nash also has a strong interest in soccer as a businessman. He assists in the development of women’s professional soccer, the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer team, and “Football for Good,” a business created to bring opportunities in soccer for war-torn African nations. Nash was actually born in South Africa but moved to Canada’s West Coast at an early age.

Nash is in his 14th NBA season now. While he doesn’t get the hype of a LeBron James or Kobe Bryant, he deserves just as much recognition for his play at the point guard position as they do for their work at shooting guard or small forward.

Although he hasn’t won an NBA championship, Nash is a role model for his energetic, hard-working style of play as well as his entrepreneurial spirit for helping those less fortunate.

Federer Express

In 2009, Roger Federer regained his place at the top of the tennis world with a phenomenal performance in which he won the French Open for the first time, and then Wimbledon for the sixth time.

Wimbledon 2009 was Federer’s 15th grand slam singles title, good enough to break Pete Sampras’s record of 14. Many now call Federer the greatest tennis player of all time.

The 28-year-old Swiss superstar finished with the year-end No. 1 ranking five times this decade (from 2004–2007 and 2009). Federer won three grand slam titles in each of 2004, 2006, and 2007. Remarkably, the last time he failed to reach a grand slam semifinal was at the French Open in 2003. Federer has reached seven straight Wimbledon finals and won the U.S. Open five straight times.

Federer rarely loses his cool on court and also brings an element of grace and style to the game. He dominates with a fluid style of play and ferocious forehand. Federer has taken tennis’ shot making to a whole new level, while making it seem so easy.

Off the court, the Roger Federer Foundation (RFF) enables the tennis great to make a difference to people in countries around the world without access to education or sports.

The RFF makes grants to support innovative projects operated by local relief organizations predominantly in the poorest of African nations. Project support is given over a five to eight year span to ensure goals are met.

While the first decade of 2000s is almost behind us, we can only hope that more such sports personalities will come forward in the 2010s and make a positive difference in all our lives, not just by winning championships but also by helping others.