There are certain names in sports that when they hit your ears, they inspire images that control your mind for a few brief moments. Jordan, Montana, Gretzky, Bronson, Cain and Barry, just take your pick.
Tuesday, a man by the name of Lombardi was in the news again. But not the famous title of the NFL Super Bowl Trophy, this time it was Joe Lombardi, the grandson of Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, who recently signed with the Atlanta Falcons coaching staff. Interesting.
Let's get serious here. Just because the last name inspires fond memories, the offspring of the United States' most elite athletes don't always deserve a free ride in their pursuit of their legendary parents. I can understand the PR perspective involved, bring in a recognizable name and hope they sell some extra tickets, but sometimes the apple falls miles away from the tree.
Take a look at some examples:
Pete Rose Jr., son of Pete Rose (Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos)
Arguably the best pure hitter ever to play the game, Pete Rose will also be plagued with the gambling cloud hovering above him.No one can take away his accomplishments on the field, but the same cannot be said for his son.
The 35-year-old pled guilty to charges that he distributed GBL, a drug sometimes sold as a steroid alternative, to his minor league teammates. I don't know what is the real story line here'steroids, or the fact that this guy is 35 and still floating around in the minors.
He played a total of 11 games (or 99 innings, which ever sounds more prestigious) with the Reds in 1997 and was last seen playing for the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. Probably time to give it up and become a personal trainer, or write a cowardly tell-all book, just like daddy did.
Lil' Romeo, son of Master P. A.K.A. Percy Miller, pronounced M-I-L-L-A (University of Houston, Charlotte Hornets, American Basketball Association's The Las Vegas Rattlers.)
'Can I really ball foo? Ask Vince Carter.' The self proclaimed 'Last Don' of the rap game also showed off his self-marketing talents on the court (and more recently on 'Dancing with the Stars'). But while 'P' shined during college and a few preseason game in the league, his son Lil' Romeo continues to struggle in the shadow of his father.
Romeo Miller, who stands 5'10', recently won a high profile AAU tournament in California, but it is unlikely his game can translate to the next level. Although songs such as 'Little Souljas Need Love Too,' 'Bobblehead' (feat. Lil D) and 'Your ABCs' are appealing to potential D-1 basketball powerhouses, Romeo clearly fails to possess the talent his father has in both the basketball and Dope game, respectively.
Saul Smith, son of Tubby Smith (head coach, University of Kentucky)
Now, I personally have been the coaches' son from the fifth through eighth grade during my church league hoops career when I was younger. And while it was enjoyable to play for St. Alphonsus, a team that manhandled J-Cheezy and his St. Alyousis squad on a regular basis, playing for my father was difficult. I had a hard time cracking the seven-man rotation on an eight-man team, and I came to accept my role with the team.
But for Saul, it had be to even worse because he had no business playing Division I basketball, let alone for one of the best programs in the nation. Quite honestly, this guy was a joke on the court and embarrassing to watch at times, yet he started his final two years with the Wildcats. Coincidence?
He spent two year playing for the National Basketball Developmental Leagues's Columbus Riverdragons and currently is an assistant at Tennessee Tech University. Yes, there is a Tennessee Tech.
Now there are father and son combos (outside of NASCAR racing, where everyone is related in the Confederate South) that have panned out: Ken Griffey and Griffey Jr., Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning, Hulk and Brooke Hogan), but it is not the norm.
The name Lombardi will always give Packer fans and myself a sense of nostalgia and football tradition, but the name should not provide a free pass. Did I mention Joe Lombardi's last coaching experience was in 2001 as the tight ends and running backs for the New York/New Jersey Hitmen of XFL? Yeah.
