"The Sunday Political Brunch" -- December 6, 2015

Dr. Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is Chief Political Reporter for the TV stations of West Virginia Media Holdings and regularly appears as a Political Analyst on KGO Radio 810-AM San Francisco, and WPRO AM-630 Providence.

“The Sunday Political Brunch” -- December 6, 2015

(Charleston, West Virginia) – I’ve been watching all of the college football league championship games this weekend, and admit it’s been a nice distraction from all of the horrible news out there. It reminded me of the leaders from the world of sports, who later walked the halls of Congress - and elsewhere - in the world of politics. Let’s “brunch” on that this week:

“Jesse Owens’s Sidekick” – We all know the story of Jesse Owens, the African-American track star who made a fool of Adolph Hitler at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. But another African-American was equal to the task. Finishing second to Owens in one of the events, and sharing a gold medal in a relay race, was a man named Ralph Metcalfe (to the right of Owens in the photo). Metcalfe – a Democrat - went on to serve on the Chicago City Council, and then four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Incidentally, Metcalfe and I share the same alma mater, Marquette University.

“Go Long” – One of the greatest wide receivers in football history was Steve Largent of the Seattle Seahawks, who is now in the NFL Hall of Fame. Largent – who played college ball at Tulsa – was not a high draft pick, and many predicted he would fail in pro football. In short, he was underestimated. The same thing happened when the entered politics, but he was elected as a Republican to serve four terms in the U.S. House from Oklahoma, before making an unsuccessful bid for governor in 2002.

“’Watts’ Up?” – Also elected to Congress in 1994 from Oklahoma, was Republican J.C. Watts, a former All-American quarterback at the University of Oklahoma. Watts played six seasons of pro football in Canada. He has worked a lobbyist since leaving Congress in 2003, but, at age 58, is widely considered as a future candidate for governor or the U.S. Senate.

“From Highlights to the High Court” – One of my favorite political rags-to-riches stories is that of Alan Page. He was born in Canton, Ohio – ironically the home of the NFL Hall of Fame - where he is now enshrined. Page was an All-American at Notre Dame, and then played for the Minnesota Vikings as one of the greatest defensive lineman in the game’s history. But in the off-season, Page – a Democrat - attend the University of Minnesota Law School. Since 1993, he has served as an Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.

“Heat from Heath” – Heath Shuler was a star quarterback at the University of Tennessee, who then played for three teams in the NFL. After her retired from football, he was elected to the U.S. House as a Democrat where he served six years. At 43, Shuler is a conservative Democrat in the now swing-state North Carolina. If he wants to get back into politics, there are Senate seats and the governorship as possibilities. Keep an eye on him.

“Running for Runyan” – Jon Runyan was a stellar offensive tackle at the University of Michigan, and went on to a 14 year career in the NFL with three different teams. In 2010 – after retiring from pro football – Runyan ran for Congress from New Jersey as a Republican and was elected. He served two terms before choosing to retire. But, he’s only 42, and with Chris Christie termed-out as New Jersey Governor, Runyan could make a political comeback.

“The Kemp Keeper” -- Maybe the greatest example of success in both sports and politics goes to Jack Kemp. He played college ball at little regarded Occidental College in his home town of Los Angeles. He was only 5 foot 10 inches tall, and as a relatively short quarterback, few thought he could play pro football. But, he spent the next 13 seasons in the NFL, CFL and AFL, before retiring. He served 18 years in Congress as a Republican from New York, then was HUD Secretary under President George H.W. Bush. He finished his storied political career as the 1996 Republican Vice Presidential nominee, alongside GOP Presidential nominee Bob Dole.

“Why All This Matters” – At first blush, sports and politics may seem worlds apart. But there are traits in one, which are transferable to another. Yes, sports is about teamwork, and leaderships and about being a part of, “something larger than yourself.” Success in politics is predicated on the same principles. The men I mentioned here are a mix of black and white; Democrat and Republican; yet they share some common traits. As we watch the college and pro football playoffs this season, keep an eye on people on the field, you might someday see on the ballot!

Do you have a favorite athlete-politician? Let us know by clicking the comment button at www.MarkCurtisMedia.com.

© 2015, Mark Curtis Media, LLC.

Photo courtesy: Marquette.edu