Donovan, Ronaldo: guys who get it

It's easy by reading stories about Aaron Hernandez, etc., to get the impression most professional athletes are selfish tools who lack conscience.

Then other stories pop up that make you reconsider. For instance, why soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't wear tattoos: he wants to be eligible to donate blood and bone marrow.

In some countries, a waiting period is required for anyone who has had tattoos applied.

While perhaps less spectacular, here is another story of an athlete looking at the bigger picture. American soccer star Landon Donovan, left off the U.S. World Cup roster this year, admitted he momentarily rooted against his team. But after thinking about it, he decided that was wrong.

'Life isn't perfect, of course, but we all know it's how you react to things that counts. I did not want to let this define me,' he told Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times.

Donovan said bitterness 'is a bad way to live your life.'

So that's one soccer player who avoids tattoos so he can donate, and another who avoided bitterness by deciding to cheer for the team that rejected him.

Sometimes it's not hard to see why certain players are champions.

About the Author Brad Rock

Brad Rock writes a sports column for the Deseret News. Plus this blog thingy, which usually runs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If you're reading this, rather than his column, stop. Go back. Read his column, too at http://ift.tt/1vpHP3L. You'll feel better about yourself.

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