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.
Showing posts with label J.C. Watts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label J.C. Watts. Show all posts
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
J.C. Watts Tulsa Article
Watts says his support not guaranteed for national GOP
by: JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
6/17/2008 12:00 AM
WASHINGTON Former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts, for nearly two decades a star supporter of Republican presidential nominees, has declared himself a "free agent" for 2008.
Even though he has donated to John McCain's campaign, Watts indicated that the GOP's presumptive nominee should not take his vote to the bank yet.
"When I say that I am a free agent, I am still a Republican, but I am like so many others out there that say: 'Don't assume my vote. Don't take my vote for granted,' '' he said Monday.
Watts said he was speaking as a member of both the black community and the faith community. Both, he said, have been "terribly taken for granted'' by the Republican Party.
"It does get a little frustrating,'' Watts said, adding that he's heard from many others who are saying the same thing. "For 20 years there has been a lot of talk but there hasn't been a lot of action when it comes to growing the base of the party.''
Asked what he would have to hear from McCain, Watts indicated that it may be too late.
"This is a four-, five-year effort. It is not a four-month effort,'' he said. "I have been advising the McCain folks for a year and a half to do what I don't see them doing.''
Watts said Republicans cannot wait until just before a general election and announce that they are going to speak to groups such as the NAACP and the Urban League.
He also cited the lack of blacks in key positions not only in the McCain campaign, but in the Republican National Committee and other top GOP campaign organizations.
Republicans are not successful in reaching out to minorities because they have no relationship with them, Watts said.
McCain's campaign did not return a call seeking comment.
Since the early 1990s, Watts has played high-profile roles in supporting GOP presidential nominees.
In 1992, he gave one of four speeches at the national convention seconding the nomination of then-President George H.W. Bush.
Four years later, Watts was added to the roster of speakers at that year's GOP convention amid complaints that conservatives were being pushed aside.
And, in 2000, he was an early supporter of George W. Bush and was tapped as one of three revolving hosts of that year's national convention.
Afterward, Watts, who by then was in the House Republican leadership, joined McCain in a grass-roots effort to expand their party's majorities in Congress.
Watts' statements have been viewed as an indication that he is leaning toward supporting Barack Obama for president.
"That is not my intention,'' he said.
Watts echoed comments of others in expressing "community pride'' for Obama.
"I am proud of what he has accomplished,'' he said, adding, however, that he has a number of policy differences with Obama on issues such as health care and taxes.
In regard to the presidential race, Watts said he was urging others to "follow their hearts in November.''
"I'm hopeful, as the course of the campaign plays out, that Sen. McCain will work as hard to merit our votes as he is for other voters, that he would give them reason to vote for him in November,'' he said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Myers 202-484-1424
jim.myers@tulsaworld.com
by: JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau
6/17/2008 12:00 AM
WASHINGTON Former U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts, for nearly two decades a star supporter of Republican presidential nominees, has declared himself a "free agent" for 2008.
Even though he has donated to John McCain's campaign, Watts indicated that the GOP's presumptive nominee should not take his vote to the bank yet.
"When I say that I am a free agent, I am still a Republican, but I am like so many others out there that say: 'Don't assume my vote. Don't take my vote for granted,' '' he said Monday.
Watts said he was speaking as a member of both the black community and the faith community. Both, he said, have been "terribly taken for granted'' by the Republican Party.
"It does get a little frustrating,'' Watts said, adding that he's heard from many others who are saying the same thing. "For 20 years there has been a lot of talk but there hasn't been a lot of action when it comes to growing the base of the party.''
Asked what he would have to hear from McCain, Watts indicated that it may be too late.
"This is a four-, five-year effort. It is not a four-month effort,'' he said. "I have been advising the McCain folks for a year and a half to do what I don't see them doing.''
Watts said Republicans cannot wait until just before a general election and announce that they are going to speak to groups such as the NAACP and the Urban League.
He also cited the lack of blacks in key positions not only in the McCain campaign, but in the Republican National Committee and other top GOP campaign organizations.
Republicans are not successful in reaching out to minorities because they have no relationship with them, Watts said.
McCain's campaign did not return a call seeking comment.
Since the early 1990s, Watts has played high-profile roles in supporting GOP presidential nominees.
In 1992, he gave one of four speeches at the national convention seconding the nomination of then-President George H.W. Bush.
Four years later, Watts was added to the roster of speakers at that year's GOP convention amid complaints that conservatives were being pushed aside.
And, in 2000, he was an early supporter of George W. Bush and was tapped as one of three revolving hosts of that year's national convention.
Afterward, Watts, who by then was in the House Republican leadership, joined McCain in a grass-roots effort to expand their party's majorities in Congress.
Watts' statements have been viewed as an indication that he is leaning toward supporting Barack Obama for president.
"That is not my intention,'' he said.
Watts echoed comments of others in expressing "community pride'' for Obama.
"I am proud of what he has accomplished,'' he said, adding, however, that he has a number of policy differences with Obama on issues such as health care and taxes.
In regard to the presidential race, Watts said he was urging others to "follow their hearts in November.''
"I'm hopeful, as the course of the campaign plays out, that Sen. McCain will work as hard to merit our votes as he is for other voters, that he would give them reason to vote for him in November,'' he said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim Myers 202-484-1424
jim.myers@tulsaworld.com
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