Green sheds light on the good some athletes do

Ahman Green was nervous.

Nevermind that he is a 10-year veteran in one of the most brutal… Ahman Green was nervous.

Nevermind that he is a 10-year veteran in one of the most brutal professional sports in the world, forget that he has run 8,491 career yards while continuously punishing his comparatively miniscule frame, ignore the severe knee injury that sidelined him for most of the 2005 campaign – none of that makes Green cringe nearly as much as asking Houston Texans cornerback Jason Simmons for his jersey number.

To be safe, Green first solicited his new Houston teammates for advice. While he was continuously assured that Simmons was a good guy, Green couldn’t help but be scared about their impending conversation.

But Green finally built up the courage to call his new teammate and kindly request Simmons’ number, 30, the same number Green has worn every season since his days as running back, linebacker and punter at Central High School in Omaha, Neb.

As one might expect in these days of seemingly endless greed, Simmons was willing to part with the number, but only for a financial settlement. Green knew this might be the case and had his checkbook ready. But before Green could inscribe Simmons’ name on the check, the cornerback explained that it wasn’t for him.

Rather, he offered his number in exchange for a down payment on a home for a single parent.

“He said what he wanted to do, and I said, ‘Yeah, I’m all on board. That’s easy. Tell me where to write the check to,'” Green said. “Instead of putting the money into his pocket, he’s going to put it into somebody else’s home and help them get their life started.”

While the terms of the agreement are still being finalized between the two, this moment should not be overlooked by fans and fellow players.

“It’s just been on my mind to go out and help a family in need,” Simmons told reporters. “I just understand that it’s not all about money.”

Even the most cynical fan has to admit that football players are held to a different standard than your average Joe.

Even hints of a potential scandal can tarnish a professional athlete’s image.

For example, while he has yet to be convicted of any wrongdoing, Michael Vick has received widespread criticism for an incident involving a water bottle thought to have contained marijuana, and more recently, a dog-fighting scandal on a property that Vick claims he no longer owns.

Fans, of course, will always fume over such incidents. After all, aren’t professional athletes living out most young boys’ childhood fantasies? I dare you to find more than three people at your office who wouldn’t be willing to trade in their nine-to-five jobs for the chance to play a professional sport.

And while we are quick to point out any player’s transgressions, should we not also acknowledge those who use their privileged status to benefit others less fortunate than themselves?

I’m sure you have heard all about the Cincinnati Bengals, Adam “Pacman” Jones and many other maligned NFL figures.

But where was ESPN’s endless coverage of Steve Gleason, the New Orleans Saints safety who trimmed his locks to make a wig for a child cancer patient?

When was the last time you heard about Matt Stover’s donation of more than $30,000 to Baltimore area children’s hospitals for every field goal he converted?

Why aren’t we blitzed with reports about Erron Kinney, who has a double career as a Tennessee Titans tight end and a volunteer member of both the Williamson County Rescue Squad and Shady Grove Fire Department?

Sure, a lot of players make a lot of stupid, inexcusable mistakes. But every now and then, isn’t it nice to hear more about Jason Simmons than Chris Henry?