Andre Agassi has done something extraordinary. He has lived through a tortured young life and emerged as someone committed to helping others -- children who have gone from being invisible to being empowered by education. His selfless behavior is a tribute to his integrity and his public persona from years ago is nothing more than that, a public persona. I am the dean of a graduate school in California who must constantly witness the difference that education can make in the life of children and adults. I also have a long history in tennis and know many extraordinary players who have failed to rise to the level of personal excellence that Agassi exhibits in his life today. Do not criticize Andre Agassi unless you have walked in those same shoes. I donated over $1000 to the Agassi Foundation in 2009 and I plan to continue my support for the foundation as long as Agassi continues his commitment.
Andre Agassi's career (and life) certainly transcend the game of tennis. While not raised in a tennis environment, I grew to know and love the game largely watching him. His heart-on-his-sleeve approach to the game he hated, and often inconsistent play, made him seem more than a celebrity/athlete - as if we really knew this vulnerable, fallible, seemingly tortured guy. But even more, he is a comforting contemporary to some of us, evolving, aging (hair loss and all), and surviving the 80's and 90's together. Watching Andre and Pete Sampras battle in their last U.S. Open was the best! What a great rivalry, a great time for tennis, maybe the best ever. Despite the media hype regarding his admitted drug use and lying to ATP, none of these personal revelations seemed particularly shocking or contemptible given the life forced upon him - "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.".
Performance enhancer or prohibitor, it dosent matter. The point is the pressure elite athletes are under from whatever the source or collective sources may be, and how that can possibly effect them.
Athletes are just human, even though they do seemingly super human feats, just like the rest of us. Many of them find themselves in situations that lead to poor choices. Some get caught, some are protected, some die, some learn and so on.
Agassi has not provided excuses he has merely provided context. Good on ya Agassi your a great guy.
Only a small percentage of athletes as successful as him give back to the degree that he has/is.
Martina the steroids have turned your brain to mush, such condemnation from a Gay woman, please!
Unless Navratilova, Federer and Nadal have suffered from depression, they have no right to comment on Agassi's use of crystal meth. It is clear that he did not use it as a performance enhancing drug. Having suffered from depression myself, I find it absolutely amazing that he was able to accomplish all that he did!! I remember Agassi when he was the golden boy of tennis. I did not like him and thought he was arrogant. With this interview, it now makes sense that he was overcompensating for the way he felt inside. It is fortunate that he was strong enough to find his way out because his story could have easily had a tragic ending.
Again, as for the drug use - I had a friend that became addicted to meth until some of us intervened. As it turns out, she was clinically depressed and was unknowingly self-medicating. Once on medication, she had no desire for the meth. After that, I started looking at some cases of drug use and drug addiction differently.
What a refreshing change to hear a well known figure admit to mistakes in life. Mistakes that most of us make but few of us forgive in others. It took great courage for Andre to come out with his story and my respect for him has only grown. Those who have been critical should be grateful they were born with the wisdom to avoid such errors rather than nipping at a man who has done so much for so many people in his life.
Where's the story that isn't as old as the hills? Overzealous parents with tunnel vision selfishly marring childhood development exist in a million neighborhoods. A star athlete succumbs to a weakness, in other words human frailty is exposed. I'm to read a book about this? I'll read it in bed to help me fall asleep. Separately, I commend Mr. Agassi's college prepatory academy in Las Vegas which is dedicated to the educational and character development of primarily young african american students in the las vegas, nv area.
I think Andre's story is one of hope, forgiveness, healing, grace and restoration. Truely motivational. It is encouraging to see how one person can tackle his adversity and come out on top. No one is perfect so we should not be quick to judge but be there to support and uplift them!!! Compassion people, Compassion!! Cant wait for his book to arrive in the mail. Would love to meet Andre personally and just to be there to listen and share in his personal experience of pain and the restoration that he has found. I find encouragement in his story. It shows that the human spirit can overcome any obsticle or adversity!!! Keep up the good work Andre!! You are changing lives.
How many children are there in Agassi's school? 800+? I'd say he's made up for his error in judgment about 800 times over. He is not the first tennis player who has done drugs while on the tour. He is, however, one of the few to recover from it, become a better person and help those truly less fortunate than himself.
I cannot feel sorry in the least for Andre. Here is certainly a gifted athlete who worked hard to be on the world's stage. But, it was also Andre that made the choice to do the drug(s) that he did. Now for a handsome sum of money, he's asking us for compassion. Give me a break.
While he was becoming famous, all I did was work myself through college every summer, spring and winter break; - countless hours with my nose stuck in a book, and even more trying to make a career out of almost 30 years of efforts. I managed to make a decent, (although not rich), living. So where is my book deal?
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I donated over $1000 to the Agassi Foundation in 2009 and I plan to continue my support for the foundation as long as Agassi continues his commitment.
Athletes are just human, even though they do seemingly super human feats, just like the rest of us. Many of them find themselves in situations that lead to poor choices. Some get caught, some are protected, some die, some learn and so on.
Agassi has not provided excuses he has merely provided context. Good on ya Agassi your a great guy.
Only a small percentage of athletes as successful as him give back to the degree that he has/is.
Martina the steroids have turned your brain to mush, such condemnation from a Gay woman, please!
Again, as for the drug use - I had a friend that became addicted to meth until some of us intervened. As it turns out, she was clinically depressed and was unknowingly self-medicating. Once on medication, she had no desire for the meth. After that, I started looking at some cases of drug use and drug addiction differently.
While he was becoming famous, all I did was work myself through college every summer, spring and winter break; - countless hours with my nose stuck in a book, and even more trying to make a career out of almost 30 years of efforts. I managed to make a decent, (although not rich), living. So where is my book deal?