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Inductee: Alonzo Mourning

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Forever enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, Alonzo Mourning was nothing less than a star. But, in an interview with ESPN, he said, “I feel like my true purpose here is service to others. It’s bigger than basketball.” Well. Let’s refresh our memory on just how “big” basketball was for him. “Zo” was drafted second overall in the 1992 draft by the Charlotte Hornets but played 10 of his 16 years with the Miami Heat and a couple with the New Jersey Nets.   He has a Championship and Olympic Medals, is a seven-time All-Star and had his number, 33, retired by the Heat. After all, he was “the very best thing that ever happened to this franchise,” said Pat Riley, Heat Coach at the time. With all of that, how could anything be bigger? 21 years ago, Alonzo and his wife, Tracy, began the Mourning Family Foundation (MFF) to help children and teens through advocacy, education and enrichment. They collect contributions, which they allocate to various programs that h
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Inductee: Roberto Luongo

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The next inductee is one who has spread his great deeds across the two cities in which he’s spent the biggest chunks of his career. He is a man very underappreciated (IMO) for the incredibly sensitive, but necessary work he’s done in his communities. Roberto Luongo’s career as a goaltender in the NHL is undeniably outstanding. He was drafted by the New York Islanders in 1997, but he spent the majority of his career with the Vancouver Canucks and the Florida Panthers, his current team. He is a two-time NHL Second All-Star and winner of the William M. Jennings Trophy for helping his team to the lowest goals-against average in the league. He’s also been a finalist for the Veniza Trophy for best goaltender three times, for the Lester B. Pearson Award for the top player voted by his peers, and for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s MVP. Then we have his international recognition, a list including two Olympic gold medals. If you follow hockey in any manner, you know this man. You
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Inductee: Warrick Dunn

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"Because I have been able to build a reputation as a talented player, I have been able to build futures. Because I am able to play, I am able to make a difference. Because I have been blessed with a talent, I also have been given a responsibility." That’s it. He wrote my blog for me. These words are what we’re (I am, hopefully you are too) searching for in athletes these days. This is that rare star who puts humanity first. This is a man who sees success as a gift that should be given to others. This is who we want, and need, as a leader in our world. Warrick Dunn’s life challenged him in unimaginable ways. And this man, as soon as he’s given an opportunity in life, feels he has to use it to help others. Most sports followers know Dunn as the Running Back for the Bucs and Falcons with the reputation of excellence in both franchises. Or maybe you were there when his alma mater, Florida State University, retired his jersey after winning a national championship and being a th
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Inductee: Martin Truex Jr.

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            Our next inductee had his roots in surfing but traded his surfboard in for a racecar. This Jersey boy has made his mark in the racing world, first getting his stamp of approval from Dale Earnhardt Jr. Martin Truex Jr. has been the Monster Energy Cup Series Champion and the Monster Energy Cup Regular Series Champion as well. He won the Busch Series twice and many other races and honors. However, his accolades as a driver are matched, if not exceeded, by his outstanding achievements in his community. Truex’s Foundation is about six years old now and has raised over a million dollars for community programs and initiatives. Some of the programs include Second Harvest Food Bank Backpack Program, which feeds hungry children throughout the school year and The Dove House and Pat’s Place, which are child abuse advocacy centers. Truex is actively involved in the medical needs of children as well. He was able to fund and open the Martin Truex Jr. Pediatric Care unit
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Inductee: Arthur Ashe

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Our next inductee is one who, unfortunately, I narrowly missed in my lifetime. I instead have learned of this man through stories of his passion, bravery, service, and outstanding ability on the tennis court. Arthur Ashe won three Grand Slam titles in his career. He was selected to the Davis Cup team and won the singles title at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open. But, amazingly, he did so in the face of adversity. Arthur Ashe was the first black man to accomplish these feats. But, he started leaving his mark on this world far before that. When he was younger, he had to break down the barriers of segregation just because he was too good at tennis. He constantly needed new opponents and he needed to be trained according to his outstanding talent. This carried on through college. Then, upon graduating, Arthur enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served for two years and reached the rank of second lieutenant. Please take a moment to thank him for his service. A
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Inductee: Jordy Nelson

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Wide receiver, Super Bowl Champ, NFL Comeback Player of the Year, Pro Bowl, ESPY Winner, 3rd grade teacher…? Which one doesn’t belong? For Jordy Nelson, Wide Receiver for the Green Bay Packers, they all do. Jordy Nelson has helped his community in so many ways and teaching is just one of them. Of course, the Packer boys do some community service with the team in Green Bay. But, Jordy has gone the extra mile to help Wisconsin. He hosts an annual Offense vs. Defense Softball Game in Appleton, WI which benefits Young Life, a Christian nonprofit organization that pairs adult volunteers with mentor students. The event draws thousands of fans and media attention, allowing it to grow and raise tons of money. Jordy and his wife, Emily Nelson support YoungLife outside of the softball game as well. The Nelson’s host an annual “Light Up the Night” fundraiser with the proceeds benefiting the Christian organization. This event is auction-based. When Jordy was out for the season due to injury, h
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Inductee: Jeff Conine

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The very first inductee for the Good Guy Hall of Fame is going to be the person who inspired it in the first place—Jeff Conine. When I was a kid, we had season tickets to the Florida Marlins. I grew up knowing that he was Mr. Marlin, that he was the man who embodied the team and the franchise entirely. He was at every community event with the fans and was my role model on the field. The man played baseball for 17 years, earning MVP titles, two World Series rings, and an outstanding reputation as both a first baseman and a left fielder. His career batting average was .285 in almost 7,000 at-bats, he had over 1,000 RBIs, and almost 2,000 hits. He still holds the Marlins franchise record for grand slams with six and is the only Marlin to have won an All-Star MVP. This guy was the real deal on the field. But, he was also just as impactful off the field and in the community. In 2004, Jeff Conine was the recipient of the Marlins All-Heart award which, according to their website, “best exempl
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