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Dennis Rodman says he
hasn't picked up a basketball in forever and insists the game isn't what
drives him anymore.
"I want to reach out
to today's children, because nowadays it's hard to do such a thing,"
said the former rebounding king and five-time NBA champion. "Look at
the world we live in. It's so fast-paced with all the electronics. I want
to make it a better place."
A seven-time first-team
All-Defensive selection, Rodman was at the Ocean Manor Resort Hotel, 4040
Galt Ocean Drive in Fort Lauderdale, last Wednesday for an appearance on
the Jeff DeForrest sports talk show on WWNN 1470 AM. He was on hand to
help promote the You Me BBQ & Tennessee charity event to benefit
the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
"My advice for kids
is to understand the difference between good and bad and learn from
it," he said. "You try and reach out to as many as you can. A
lot of the kids look at me as a cartoon character, someone who is witty
and funny. I love that, but I also want them to see me as a beneficial
person, someone who isn't bad and is doing as many positive things as
possible."
Set to host the You Me BBQ & Tennessee golf outing are Mike Brady and former Miami
Dolphins running back Jim Kiick.
The event, which will
take place Oct. 24 at the Inverrary Country Club, 3840 Inverrary Blvd. in
Lauderhill, is being sponsored by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Brady, an Inverrary sales
director, is eager to spread the word as the event approaches. "We've
got a golf exclusive and a big tourney for kids in distress," he
said. "I want a bunch of corporations from all over to put a team
together. I work the streets to make this a successful tourney, especially
with Jim helping me."
Kiick, a two-time Super
Bowl champion and Pro Bowl selection, said he wants to help St. Jude's
efforts on behalf of families. Hospital officials are seeking support so
that the pediatric cancer center won't require families to pay for
treatments not covered by insurance.
"My first preference
is helping with charities," said Kiick, an integral part of the
Dolphins' undefeated 1972 Super Bowl championship team. "Some kids
are helpless, and you want to help them lead a healthy life while staying
positive. You've got to do something to help these kids live. At some
point in time, people would like to have a cure for everything."
Former Dolphins defensive
end Jeff Cross, a 1990 Pro Bowl selection, also appeared on DeForrest's
show to promote the fundraiser, and so did Dillard High School running
backs coach Lorenzo White.
"All these guys are
very giving," DeForrest said. "It's interesting. The bad boys of
sports are the good guys here at Bamboo Beach [outside the Ocean Manor
Resort]. You never know what's going to happen at a place like this, but
as you can see, everything's going well. It's a top-quality place with
everyone trying to help and support a good charitable cause."
White and friend Bela
Patel Sheth said they got involved in order to pass on to kids their
belief in the power of persistence and determination, both on and off the
football field.
"More than anything,
we're making sure that the kids are putting themselves in a position to
succeed," White said. "They need to stay positive with
themselves and have the right direction, because at the end of the day,
you're a person altogether. There are so many ways to help our children
stay focused and show them the right way. I'm not perfect, and I've made
some mistakes, but I've learned from them and gotten better as a person
and I hope kids will, too."
Ocean Manor Resort owner
Frank Talerico called his hotel Rodman's "second home."
Nicknamed "the Worm," Rodman was a two-time NBA Defensive Player
of the Year and All-Star after being selected by the Detroit Pistons with
the 27th pick out of Southeastern Oklahoma State in 1986.
Having him and the other
athletes and fans in attendance was important to St. Jude's supporters as
they look to bolster the hospital's mission. Supporters were also grateful
for Talerico's efforts on behalf of the cancer center, DeForrest said.
"He does more for charities than we've ever seen,"
DeForrest said.
E-mail mikebradyfl13@
aol.com or contact Brady at 954-707-2287 for information about the You Me BBQ & Tennessee event to benefit the St. Jude Children's
Research Hospital.
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