Athlete to admire: Kevin Durant's acceptance speech something kids should be hearing

There isn't a lot of good news out of the world of sports these days.

In fact, sometimes it seems like professional sports is the last place in the world parents should look for role models for their children.

But Tuesday night, a real man -- and a star athlete -- took the stage and reminded us all that there are still heroes in the world who work hard, share glory and remember where they came from.

Kevin Durant's acceptance speech for the NBA MVP Trophy was full of the usual stuff -- thanks to coaches and acknowledgment of the city that cheers for him.

Durant also took the time to honor his fellow players and his best buddy on the team, Russell Westbrook.

But that is not the reason you should watch the speech -- although be prepared to allot a pretty good amount of time to do it.

Durant's last comments are why so many are calling him a class act today.

The tough NBA player choked up a little bit as he talked about his mom, Wanda, and all she had given him and his siblings.

He acknowledged how hard it must have been to take care of a family as a single mom. He thanked her for being there, keeping him off the streets and headed in the right direction.

He mentioned the sacrifices he knew she made -- and how much he appreciated all she had done for him. And he mentioned, too, that she is still his biggest fan.

What a refreshing change from the egotistical slime balls that have graced the sporting news lately.

There are many lessons to be learned from Durant's story -- not the least of which is that hard work can change a life.

But with Mother's Day almost upon us, we should remember that there are plenty of parents -- single and otherwise -- right now who are pushing their children to stay straight, to dream big and to make lives for themselves.

And they are not always doing it in the best of circumstances.

It is possible to raise a great kid. It just takes a committed parent.

And that is what we do not talk enough about -- the parents who are doing it right.

So watch Kevin Durant's speech, perhaps with your own future basketball star in tow, and talk about the lessons that can be learned from his story.

And maybe, just maybe, you might hear a speech like that someday -- whether it is at an NBA awards ceremony or at a high school or college graduation.

Published in Editorials on May 8, 2014 10:41 AM