J.C. Watts

Sun July 27, 2008
Watts' powerful message rekindles Olympic spirit
Berry Tramel

Somewhere between the boycotts and Ben Johnson's drug test, somewhere around the ridiculous judging from boxing ring to gymnastics mat, somewhere from the crass commercialism to the rampant nationalism, I lost the Olympic spirit.
Been gone awhile. Not likely to come back.

Majestic opening ceremonies don't light the fire. Epic performances, stirring drama, fantastic competition? Sorry, nothing trips the Olympic trigger.

But a few days ago, for a few moments, J.C. Watts came awfully close to lighting my Olympic flame.

The old wishbone quarterback turned U.S. congressman, now political squire, has maintained one constant through 30 years in the Oklahoma spotlight.

Umatched orator skills, at least for these parts.

Be it speech or sermon or streetcorner chat, Watts inspires with a rhythmic passion. And Watts' subject was the Olympic ideal.

Watts had just come from Vegas, where Tuesday he spoke to the U.S. basketball team as part of the Olympic Ambassador program.

There is nothing hidden about the USOC's agenda. Remind all its athletes to be good citizens in Beijing. Don't be Ugly Americans. Do the stars and stripes proud not only with feats afield, but with attitude and behavior.

I don't know how the current Dream Teamers welcomed Watts. Before the Hornets hit town, I would have guessed NBA stars to be clownish in regards to citizenship and responsibility. But the hoop stars that came through the Ford Center displayed a maturity that belies their image. Many of them displayed grace and dignity.

I'm not saying they were Sidney Poitier. But they also weren't slap-happy yardbirds with stocking caps dripping to their knees.

"I thought it was a great experience to have the opportunity to have them speak to us about the Olympic experience,? the Pistons' Tayshaun Prince said of the ambassador speakers. "...they had the opportunity to talk to us and remind us that the whole world would be watching, go out there and give it your all. You're representing everybody and they're pulling for you. Those are nice things to hear when you have the opportunity to represent your country and go overseas and have the USA across your chest and to be able to represent the best you can.?

Watts called it "quite an honor, quite a thrill? to chat with Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Paul.

Watts said U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski set the table even before the presentation, playing Marvin Gaye's rendition of the national anthem and calling it the U.S. fight song.

What did Watts say? He recounted his theme for me, sans the singsong cadence that, when coupled with a powerful message, makes your heart soar.

Such a beat wasn't necessary. Watts' words were powerful enough.

"I tried to remind them of what the Olympic ideal was established to be,? Watts said. "We've got wars, poverty, diseases and scandal. Those are the things that dominate the headlines.

"But I also reminded them we live in a pretty dynamic world. A lot of opportunities that couldn't be imagined...

"They're going to come face-to-face with friends and rivals and enemies.

"In all this craziness, the reason the Olympics exist, those that have gone before them, despite global conflicts, integrity and sportsmanship could help ease the tension outside the arena.

"Olympics depict peace and goodwill. For a brief moment, the world can imagine the excellence that can lift us through sports.?

The Olympics can unite just as local sporting passions can do the same.

"Republic and Democrat, liberal and conservative, doesn't matter,? Watts said. "People wearing crimson and cream sit together at Owen Field and root for the Sooners. That was kind of my message to them.

"I wanted to remind them who they were representing. They're wearing the stars and stripes.?

Football is not an Olympic sport, but Watts figures he's worn the stars and stripes himself. Five years ago, he was asked by President Bush and Colin Powell to represent the U.S. in a global conference on race in Vienna.

"I wore the American uniform,? Watts said.

The stars and stripes mean different things to different people. To some, it stands for freedom and heroes. For others, it means broken promises and injustices.

"But despite that,? Watts said, "they are wearing the uniform not because this nation was perfect in the past or perfect today ... we're not perfect. But we've come as close to getting it right as any society in the history of man.

"Thankfully, there's much we can be proud of. That was kind of the message. So we can go to Beijing proud, with the promise of the future and a more perfect union.?

I came away inspired, just as most times I've heard Watts speak, going back to a Norman High School football banquet circa 1981.

That "more perfect union? stuff gets me every time.

Friday morning, the day I wrote this column, I hung out Old Glory on my front porch. Heck, I might even watch the Olympics.