Letters to Will

Fox News: He’s covered superstar athletes including Michael Jordan (you may have heard of), Walter Payton shared their stories with his readers, but one journalist wanted to do something special for his son, so he asked 100 of sports greatest players and coaches to give his newborn baby tips on life. Almost all (believe it or not) responded. Joining me in studio with what these superstars said is New York Times best-selling author and sports columnist Don Yaeger. Good to see you this morning. Happy Father’s Day.

Fox News: This is incredible. When I read the story I thought ‘holy cow.’ Michael Jordan, President Bush, the list goes on, and on, but first off I have to ask you: how did you get these guys to respond and to give your son advice?

Yaeger: I think what happened first was that I had gotten a couple letters right after Will was born: a year ago. His birthday’s this week. I got letters from John Wooden and Dale Brown, two really amazing coaches, just offering some advice. They were both guys I’m working on book projects with and so, when I sent those letters along with a note to 100 of these other athletes and folks, I just said, ‘would you do the same? Would you offer my son just a little bit of advice on some things he ought to think about as he grows older, and the letters came back and they’re pretty amazing.’

Fox News: Unbelievable. Let’s get to some of them. Let’s start with John Wooden, perhaps the greatest coach in any sport: The former UCLA great. What advice did he have for your son?

Yaeger: Well one of the things he really wanted to focus on, is that he understands success, and success isn’t necessarily winning championships, success is just doing the very best you can and that’s really the key. If you’ve done the best you can every day, you’re a success.

Fox News: Speaking of the best, you got the best basketball player ever to step on this planet, (if you ask me). Michael Jordan gave your son some advice. What did M.J. have to offer?

Yaeger: Jordan wanted to make sure that he understood the importance of fundamentals, and that the best things you can do in life, are based on doing the right things at the lowest level.

Fox News: I like that Jordan said, “don’t look for others for your happiness or your-self worth. That’s so key because so many people out there are looking for people around them to make them happy. And in this business certainly, people are looking at viewers, but you really got to look within to find your happiness.

Fox News: Steve Young, one of the greatest quarterbacks to play in the NFL, formerly of the 49ers. What did Steve Young have to offer?

Yaeger: He talked about trusting your instincts and understanding. He talked about being a short quarterback and that a lot of times you had to throw the football…

Fox News: (interrupts) He was doubted for many, many years coming out of ole BYU.

Yaeger: Sometimes you have to throw it where you can’t see the receiver but you have to believe he’s going to be there.

Fox News: Okay, it’s not just athletes on here. Former President Bush, George W. Bush offered your son some advice. What did he tell him?

Yaeger: He actually encouraged him to read. He said the really important thing you could do was read. It’s interesting; it was a letter he sent. He hand-wrote it on White House letterhead his last day in office, January 19th. A member of his staff had heard about this project and I had interviewed him a couple years ago for Sports Illustrated. So he sent the letter along. It was unexpected and quite exciting.

Fox News: President Bush said, “reading makes it possible to realize dreams.” President Bush in one year read 95 books I’m told, so this is a man who is very, very well read. A kicker here is that Charles Barkley had some interesting advice (I guess) for your son and timely. Tell us about that.

Yaeger: It’s funny cause these letters, my requests to a lot of these folks went out late last summer, right after Will was born and I got these first letters and Charles Barkley wrote a letter in September. The letter, handwritten, said (amongst the things you’ve got to think about is) “don’t drink and drive” and obviously a few weeks later, a couple months later, Charles didn’t necessarily follow his own advice. Anyway, that’s one of the things we’ll make sure to share with Will is that as good as these letters are you have to make sure that you take care of your own advice.

Fox News: Absolutely, and that was Charles Barkley behind bars there for his DUI. So that was interesting advice from Charles, but good advice nonetheless. Letters to Will, when can we find it and where?

Fox News: These are great tips, I can tell you what. I’ll be your first customer. I’ll buy your book if it’s for sale. Don Yaeger Happy Father’s Day to you.

Fox News: What a great project you put together and good for Will that he’s going to have all that tips.

Seven-time New York Times bestselling author and long-time associate editor of Sports Illustrated