"My Best Friend For Life"

Jim Nantz Tells Of The Gifts His Father Continues To Give Even While Gripped In The Tragedy of Alzheimers

(CBS)  Jim Nantz of CBS Sports has just published a book about his father and the difficult times he's been through. With Father's Day just one week off, Jim has some thoughts to share:

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You could say my dad, Jim Nantz, Jr., is just your average decent, humble, generous, honest, patriotic guy.

And that's enough to make him my hero, my inspiration, my favorite teacher, and my best friend for life.

For the past 13 years, Dad has been incapacitated by Alzheimer's disease, a neurological nightmare that destroys precious memories and robs its victims of the gifts of rational thought and coherent speech.

Still, not a day goes by when I don't find myself trying to hear his gentle voice through the din of my frenetic day-to-day existence.

"How would Dad handle this?" I'd ask myself. Or, "What would Dad say?"

Smile, he said, and people will want to be your friends.

Remember their names and you will make them feel special.

Keep your word, and they will believe in you.

These are basic values. Yet I've come to see that they are about as common these days as, well, common sense.

Dad encouraged my sister, Nancy, and me to dream big dreams and to pursue them. Drink in all the world has to offer.

With a good plan, hard work and integrity, anything is possible. He not only believed this - he proved it.

In purely financial terms, my father was not rich - but he had a portfolio that overflowed with friendships.

My dad wasn't famous - but everyone he ever met remembers his smile, warmth, and kindness.

He didn't cure polio, or split the atom, but he parlayed his small-town football prowess into a college education and a career that enabled him to travel the world.

In short, he achieved the American Dream.

A few years after his Alzheimer's diagnosis, I was lamenting that my father could no longer travel with me as I covered the great championships of American sports. Nor could he help me resolve difficult career questions.

Once, golfing legend Arnold Palmer reached over and gently tapped me on the heart and said, "Jimmy, he's right there! He's prepared you your whole life to make this decision. You heard his voice, you just didn't realize it."

Those kind and wise words are typical of the guidance I've been fortunate to receive from father figures and mentors who've stepped up in my father's absence, all of whom have helped me realize Dad's final gift to me was to inspire me to write about his adversity, and to seek his goodness, his virtues and his values in the people who surround me every day.

Next Sunday is Father's Day, the one day of the year more than any other I wish my father could recognize my voice. If he could, I would tell him, "Thank you, above all, for teaching me to be a father myself, and for being always by my side."


For information on "Always By My Side: A Father's Grace and a Sports Journey Unlike Any Other" by Jim Nantz, visit the Web site of Gotham Books.

[imissmydad]

Mr Nantz, I listened to you on Sunday and although in tears because my father died 2 1/2 yrs ago from the disease listening to you brought back many, many good memories. My fathers progressed fast so we didn''t get many years with him but thank you for making me smile through the tears. I can''t wait to read the rest of the book!

[patriot12436]

I too had the most wonderful grandparents in the world and had a great relationship with them. When my grandmother died the light went out in grandpa''s eyes. When he was dying two years later i went to see him in the hospital. The light was back in his eyes. He knew he was going to be with grandma again and that is where he wanted to be. Now because of them ,when i think of them i am not sad, the very thought of them brings a smile to my face because of the happy memories they gave me.

[patriot12436]

I didn''t know you couldn''t print the word G-A-Y on here. I do not think it is a derogatory term at all.

[patriot12436]

cfin5
Yes Benny Hill was gay but had so much talent. I have been living in Thailand for last 18 months. I love this country but will be returning to U.S. in September. Here they have *** that are known as lady boys and are accepted as par of society. Sometimes it is hard to tell them apart from real ladies. I have met some here and their sense of humor is fantastic. They can be a lot of fun to be around. I am straight so do not want to be with one but have learned to accept them as a part of this wonderful culture here. The experiences i have had here are priceless. Can''t wait till i can return again in the future. Being retired is great. I am now doing what i love most, traveling and learning other cultures.

[cfin5]

whoops,..."Rowan Atkinson" that is. Been awhile.

[cfin5]

cfin5
Benny Hill was gay but i didn''''t care i thought his show was great. Sure was a sad day when he passed away. Hard to find good shows like that any more.

Posted by patriot12436 at 03:02 AM : Jun 09, 2008----- I didn''t know that about him. Did he when he passed away though. Some of his stuff was lewd, but I liked his style of British comedy. Rowan Atkins''s old Mr. Bean flicks, not the American movie, bust me up. My wife and I enjoyed getting a good dorkin'' out from him. Dude can act without saying a thing. In one he put his bathing suit on over his pants along the beach,...and then took his pants off without exposing himself. And another one he had a dentist appointment he was late for and dressed in the mini cooper while driving. Finally, the one where he get up on the high dive and loses his nerve.....my favorite :) Yeah, shows today are so lame. They think smart mouthing is funny,....not.

[rational_1]

Nice post scully152! My parents are both in their 80s and luckily have not had to deal with Alzheimers, although I''m always wondering just how much longer they can carry on without some sort of assisted living arrangement.

[scully152]

My Grampa had Alzheimers. It is a terrible thing to see him go through. He was, and still is, my HERO. Near the end, but before he went into the hospital for other health issues, I had to babysit the man who once baysat me. It was very disheartening. The only consolation I have was the tape I made of me playing the violin and had my Mom bring to the hospital to play for him... and he smiled, as if he knew who was playing for him. I was never the greatest violinist but Grampa was one of my biggest supporters. I loved him SO much that I named my first son after him, and my brother and sister loved him SO much that they gave their first children our Grampas middle name. I urge EVERYONE to support Alzheimers research. It can affect anyones family. It can affect anyone, period, young or old... though usually older people.

[patriot12436]

messiahx4eve
I converted to Budhism because they teach respect for all life. They also teach by living by example rather than standing up and telling everyone else how they should do it. I try to respect all religions but i found what i was looking for in Budhism.

[patriot12436]

cfin5
Benny Hill was gay but i didn''t care i thought his show was great. Sure was a sad day when he passed away. Hard to find good shows like that any more.

[bilinday]

Jim Nantz'' discussion about his wonderful dad -- as shown on Sunday Morning June 8 -- was so moving. I want to share it with my family, but couldn''t find the video. When I went onto Sunday Morning''s website, I clicked on the Jim Nantz video and it played the interview with Harry Smith from the morning show -- not the monolog as played on Sunday Morning.
Can you please let me know how to view the monolog online. THANKS VERY MUCH.

[messiahx4eve]

cfin5 and patriot12436 are both right on and I think it allows the children to learn something of social values from the parents as primary caregivers that can be instilled in future generations to come. Respect for ALL life is the best rewards the Spirit Creator expects of all of us.

[patriot12436]

I envy anyone who has had such a magnificent relationship with their parents. I missed out on it with my parents so i tried to make sure i had it with my kids. I wanted them to have what i missed out on.I did my best and i think they know it. That is what counts.

[cfin5]

Man do I ever LOVE to read stories of folks honoring their parents like this. There''s not one thing here, except for his fathers health, that my father does not mirror. I''ve watched my Dad work himself "selflessly" so hard he could barely talk. He personally taught me his trade in work and I still do it for a living to this day. He pointed out his dislikes of a girlfriend I used to have and strongly suggested another girl with a far better attitude, not to mention her barbie doll figure,........the girl that is now my beloved wife of my youth :) I still laugh at myself when I remember seeing an old "Benny Hill Show" on TV about how he was always chasing some gal around,.....I still feel that way towards her. Oh thank you God for my Dad and his wisdom!.....If I could be half the man he is, my hair would be silver like his is and has been for decades.