With Fathers Day approaching, I thought it would only be appropriate to talk about the impact dads have on sons in the world of sports. It might be a long shot but what the heck. Here we go.

Growing up, I remember watching sports with my dad and from time to time, we’d be watching an athlete whose dad played before him and my dad would talk about the greatness of that athlete. Now athletes I grew up watching have sons coming up.

My dad grew up watching people like Bob Griese, Bobby Hull, Archie Manning, Calvin Hill, Bill Walton, (just had to throw that one in there.) Ken Griffey Sr. and others. Together we’ve watched theirs sons come after their fathers. Some don’t live up to their fathers accomplishments while others surpass what their fathers did before them on the field or court.

I grew up watching people like Phil Simms, John Elway, Howie Long, Patrick Ewing along with a few others whose names aren’t coming to mind. These former athletes have sons either in the pros or up and coming. I don’t often think of Chris Simms as being Phil’s son, but when I do, it’s weird. It wasn’t that long ago that Phil was handing the ball off to Ottis Anderson and throwing to Mark Ingram.

Jack Elway has committed to Arizona State. Chris Long is getting ready to start his NFL career with St. Louis Rams and Patrick Ewing Jr is completely following his fathers footsteps as he’s at Georgetown wearing No. 33. Try not to be too freaked out if he plays with John Starks Jr. of the Knicks.

We’ve seen Ken Norton Sr and Jr as well as the Earnhardts. Many people have forgotten that Bary Bonds’ dad Bobby played baseball before him and there are definitely reasons for that. I very vaguely remember Tony Dorsett and we’ve watched his son’s career come about. Don’t remember Anthony? Yeah, it was short lived. Nothing like his father.

It’s been hard to not enjoy these games and athletes over the years and I look forward to what’s to come in the future, and to seeing what current athletes will have sons playing in the big leagues. I don’t know what we’d do without the world of sports. Most of us discovered the greatness at a young age thanks to our fathers who in one way or another helped point us in the right direction and for that and so much more, I’d like to say thanks. Oh yeah, to all fathers everywhere, especially my own, Happy Fathers Day.

With Fathers Day approaching, I thought it would only be appropriate to talk about the impact dads have on sons in the world of sports. It might be a long shot but what the heck. Here we go.

Growing up, I remember watching sports with my dad and from time to time, we’d be watching an athlete whose dad played before him and my dad would talk about the greatness of that athlete. Now athletes I grew up watching have sons coming up.

My dad grew up watching people like Bob Griese, Bobby Hull, Archie Manning, Calvin Hill, Bill Walton, (just had to throw that one in there.) Ken Griffey Sr. and others. Together we’ve watched theirs sons come after their fathers. Some don’t live up to their fathers accomplishments while others surpass what their fathers did before them on the field or court.

I grew up watching people like Phil Simms, John Elway, Howie Long, Patrick Ewing along with a few others whose names aren’t coming to mind. These former athletes have sons either in the pros or up and coming. I don’t often think of Chris Simms as being Phil’s son, but when I do, it’s weird. It wasn’t that long ago that Phil was handing the ball off to Ottis Anderson and throwing to Mark Ingram.

Jack Elway has committed to Arizona State. Chris Long is getting ready to start his NFL career with St. Louis Rams and Patrick Ewing Jr is completely following his fathers footsteps as he’s at Georgetown wearing No. 33. Try not to be too freaked out if he plays with John Starks Jr. of the Knicks.

We’ve seen Ken Norton Sr and Jr as well as the Earnhardts. Many people have forgotten that Bary Bonds’ dad Bobby played baseball before him and there are definitely reasons for that. I very vaguely remember Tony Dorsett and we’ve watched his son’s career come about. Don’t remember Anthony? Yeah, it was short lived. Nothing like his father.

It’s been hard to not enjoy these games and athletes over the years and I look forward to what’s to come in the future, and to seeing what current athletes will have sons playing in the big leagues. I don’t know what we’d do without the world of sports. Most of us discovered the greatness at a young age thanks to our fathers who in one way or another helped point us in the right direction and for that and so much more, I’d like to say thanks. Oh yeah, to all fathers everywhere, especially my own, Happy Fathers Day.