We know that the biggest love of George Steinbrenner’s professional life was the New York Yankees, but did you know those two other things not far behind his team were wrestling and the Olympics?
I thought about that this week as those loves of Mr. Steinbrenner melded together in the city that he loved, as an inspirational hero of amateur, not WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) style wrestling, came to New York to tell his story again to a wide audience.
His name is Anthony Robles, and for those who don’t know his inspiring accomplishments, rush to watch the movie "Unstoppable."
Robles is not just an NCAA champion wrestler from Arizona State, he is the embodiment of everything "The Boss" believed in . . . inspiring people with actions, give more than you get, leading by example, and finding ways to win.
You see, Anthony didn't just overcome the hardships of being undersized or coming from a background that one might not have seen wrestling champions coming from . . . he did all of that, despite the fact that he was born, and has thrived, with only one leg.
Amazing.
Recently, as he was making the rounds promoting the film (which by the way stars another legend who rose from the streets of New York to fame in Jennifer Lopez, as Anthony’s mom Judy), Anthony gathered with about 75 young inner city kids who are riding wrestling to new heights as part of the highly successful program "Beat The Streets," to both inspire and instruct, and his messages rang true for all.
"You have to create measurable goals for yourself that you can achieve every day," he told the assembled audience after rolling around on the mats instructing the kids for over an hour.
"Do not focus on the impossible of winning every time. Be able to track your successes and always ask yourself not how I failed but what can I improve upon the next time."
Robles met every challenge in his life by looking to learn and grow from setbacks, not falling into an easy pattern of accepting failure.
There were no excuses for him along the way, he always sought the path to success, and he ended up on that road because of his will, dogged determinedness, the support of others who believed in him, and by using the innate talent that God gave him to aspire higher than most ever thought.
Now a high school coach, motivational speaker, and yes even a Guinness World record holder for chin ups, Robles continues to embody all that we need to be reminded of every day . . . words that Mr. Steinbrenner also espoused.
And while Anthony Robles never made an Olympic team, his achievements are certainly worthy of any gold medal an athlete can receive.
"Unstoppable" will now inspire a new generation, even though the story only unfolded in and around 2011, when Anthony won the NCAA wrestling championship at Arizona State.
It's worth your time to see, and worth your time to learn more about this amazing young man. George Steinbrenner would demand you did.
Ray Negron is a sports executive with over 40 years of experience in baseball. His first job came from a chance encounter with George Steinbrenner as a youth. Mr. Negron is an American film producer, a best-selling author, and philanthropist. His memoir is, "Yankee Miracles: Life with the Boss and the Bronx Bombers." Read Ray Negron's Reports — More Here.