Mikey Powell

(www.sportsgamer.com)

Since the beginning of time, there have been heroes. They have been real, fictional, Jewish, Christian, black, white, you name it. However, today the world seems a bit confused about what a real hero is. Sometimes we mistake selfish celebrities for heroes and forget to recognize real ones that have changed the world for the better. That is why I would like to nominate my own personal hero, Mikey Powell. Mikey does not get much attention because he is a professional lacrosse player, and that particular profession does not come with a lot of fame or glory. He has become one of the greatest lacrosse players of all time.

As a young boy, Mikey grew up in a house where there was not a lot of money to go around. He was a hard-working boy who had always dreamed of owning a lacrosse stick, just like the many kids in his neighborhood who already owned them. However, Mikey was not a complainer and never whined or begged his parents for one. Mikey loves to recall the day when he was just hanging around the house and his father came home and handed him and his brothers brand new lacrosse sticks. Mikey knew that the sticks were not cheap and his family could not really afford them, but graciously took the gift, and began to practice right away. He later found out that his father had sold one of his shotguns to buy the boys’ sticks.

From that day on, Mikey practiced with such determination that he was able to take that simple gift, and use it to open the door to a lacrosse career. Mikey developed such phenomenal skills that he was given a scholarship to the University of Syracuse, a top Division 1 lacrosse college. From there, he continued to excel and was a true asset to the team from the get go. Although he had the skill to simply walk into the professional lacrosse draft, Mikey decided to stick it out and earn his degree. That was a tough decision for him, and I, for one, truly respect him for realizing that education is far more valuable than a lacrosse career.

After he finished college Mikey was drafted into the professional lacrosse league. From there he became an instant celebrity in the lacrosse world and soon would sign an endorsement contract with Brine Lacrosse. Today he continues to impress fans, coaches, and even fellow players. He has his own website and articles in magazines that are published so that Mikey can tell young players about how important hard work, and education really are. I think that Mikey is a real hero within. He has made the right decisions in his life and has pushed himself to be the best that he can possibly be. Everything he does, he gives 110%. He applies himself to achieve his goals, and is now assisting young lacrosse players in doing the same. He has a great heart, and is an all around good person.

(www.threepowells.com)

I find Mikey’s success story truly riveting. It amazes me how a boy who could barely afford a lacrosse stick, has become on of the greatest players of all time. I think that his situation is part of what made him a hero. Obviously, Mikey could have slacked off and just become another face in the crowd, but instead he found that he had a special skill that, if refined could open up both a career and education for him. His determination and hard work have led him to earn both of those things and today he is living the life. He designs lacrosse equipment, plays lacrosse, and most of all inspires young kids to follow in his footsteps. He will forever be a lacrosse legend, and inspiration to many, and of course, my hero.