Inherently, every guy should have the right to do whatever he wants. Within reason. As long as no heinous crimes are being committed, there’s no issue with a guy having control over his own fate.
Unless you’re the NCAA, who's four letters really stand for rule. As, in complete rule by Mark Emmert, who hates fun and loves policy making. AZ (purely a coincidence, & an all-time underrated rapper) summed it up on Life’s a Bitch, Emmert wants to give the Washington’s to the student-athletes, and keep the Grant’s and Jackson’s to himself and his constituents.
God forbid a guy profits off of his publicity, and what makes him unique. That’s what we’re examining this week, what makes a guy special. Including, but not limited to these three aspects of his life.
Before putting on number 14, Peter Edward Rose Sr. briefly wore 27 in 1963 as a rookie in spring training. During that first spring training, Rose earned his nickname, “Charlie Hustle” by Yankee hall of famers Whitey Ford and Mickey Mantle.
Rose may or may not have been aware the moniker was given to him for being a try-hard, but nonetheless he donned it like a badge of honor.
The lasting images of Charlie Hustle circulate around his unrelenting will to always give 110%. Before Sean Taylor laid out Brian Moorman in the Pro Bowl, Ole’ Charlie ran over Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game.
Fosse batted .307 in 1970, while he played seven seasons after the form tackle by Hustle...in an exhibition game, it’s fair to say Fosse’s career was altered by that 12th inning hit.
It’s a tough world out there for a divisive figure in sports. To the point where the 1973 NL MVP had to hock 1981 Britannica’s. What an usual endorsement deal for Charlie Hustle to sign. Imagine the bag Rose got for 31 volumes of information and knowledge.
Before Michael Lee Lewis was the Saints kick returner for six years, he played semi-pro, in the Arena League, and in NFL Europe.
Born and bred in Louisiana, Lewis was a fan favorite of the Superdome crowd. 84 was nicknamed “The Beer Man,” as he drove a Budweiser truck in the Bayou state up until he signed with New Orleans in 2001.
A Pro-Bowl and 1st team All-Pro kick returner in 2002. The Beer Man scored only one career touchdown, and it came against Washington at FedEx Field. Lewis took back a 90 yard kick-off for the away team.
It was difficult to find any shoe deals Lewis may have signed, but something tells me he missed out on a big opportunity to collab with the King of Beers.
Before playing his first 8 seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes, Keith Michael Yandle came up with the Moncton Wildcats in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Known as “The Sonkfather” for his fake passes in defense behind the net. Yandle is a 3 time All-Star, and currently still playing for the Flyers.
This past January 25th, The Sonkfather adopted a new nickname, as he became the NHL’s Ironman. Yandle played his 965th consecutive game, passing the previous record held by Doug Jarvis.
If a potential MCU deal with hockey’s Ironman falls through, Yandle seems to have carved out a decent sized niche for himself within social media to fall back on after he hangs up his skates.
Before Tracy Lamar McGrady Jr. was 7 time All-Star, and 2 time Scoring Champion, he was a skinny kid from Florida, coming out of high school straight to the NBA.
McGrady was drafted 9th overall in 1997, and spent his first couple of seasons playing inconsistently for Toronto. He averaged 31 minutes in 1999-2000 though, and in 2001 he was the League’s Most Improved Player.
How can you argue with the a nickname like T-Mac? Looking back at his career, T-Mac is arguably the NBA’s most underrated super-star.
The shadow draped over you looms large when you play for a franchise that once had Penny and Shaq. Especially when you never got out of the first round for both Orlando and Houston.
That Magic Uniform, paired with that Shaun Bradley dunk stand the test of time.
There weren’t any Big Macs for T-Mac, but he did land a deal with Burger King. Prior to that the T-Mac 1’s were adidas marquee sneaker right next to the Kobe 2’s.
Charlie Hustle, The Beer Man, The Sonkfather, and T-Mac. Four guys who didn’t need the NCAA’s regulations and bylaws to achieve success in life.
If you don’t believe me, just ask this guy, and he’ll tell you.
