I heard Anthony Newman, our March 2008 Dad of the Month on the radio the other day.  He is an announcer for the University of Oregon football team, on the radio and television.  He played at Oregon in the late 80’s and then had a stellar 12 year career in the NFL as a defensive safety for the Rams, Saints and Raiders.  Anthony is very well spoken and has a very similar value system to myself. 

He was asked the other day on the radio about why he didn’t go into coaching, as he has a very good grasp of defensive football and a love for the sport as well.  His reply was that coaching at the college or professional level was too time consuming for him, he valued his role as a Dad too much.  Anthony has 3 young children, and he wants to spend as much time with them, teaching and guiding them, as he can.  Well said.  I am very proud that Anthony has that viewpoint, it’s the same reason I don’t travel doing sales and personal development trainings anymore.  Being there for your family is tremendously important.  Here is an ex-professional athlete, who still has a lot of knowledge of and passion for the game, who chooses to lead his family. 

Anthony does coach youth sports, and runs many sports camps in the greater Portland, Oregon area.  I like his philosophy, and his great kids and wonderful, loving family are the result of his commitment to them.  Thanks Anthony, for being an inspirational athlete AND an inspirational Dad.  We need more Dads to live by what they believe.

Check out Anthony’s Dad of the Month interview in the archives located on the main www.dadsworld.com homepage.  Also, be sure to check out his site at www.xsportcamps.com