
There was a time when I was Mr. America winning the outstanding player trophies for my sixth-grade football, basketball, and baseball teams – we call that a sweep. I once danced for 12 hours straight, doing mostly the bump, and sweated up four shirts, and at another time ate 32 pancakes, drove from Kansas to D.C. in 24 hours non-stop, dunked a basketball twice, hit home runs over fences and got a 4.0 GPA and also a 1.8. And got work awards and got fired several times. That takes special abilities.
All making me a Mr. America of sorts at least in my head.
Since then, there has been a slew of other Mr. Americas: Hulk Hogan, Billy Idol, Bruce Springsteen, Muhammed Ali, Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, Evel Knievel, Barry Bonds, Fred Flintstone, Michael Johnson, Mr. Ed, Dave Wottle, Frank Shorter, Matt Biondi, Ryan Lochte, Caeleb Dressel, and Michael Phelps.
You’re about to find out about the new Mr. America in town when you watch the men’s Olympics swimming events. His name is Chris Guiliano, a Notre Dame student matriculating and swimming constantly out in America’s beloved heartland who is also from another American heartland, Douglasville, PA.
As American as watermelon.
At the recent U.S. Olympic Trials, he qualified in three individual events: the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle – the first American man to do that since Biondi in 1988.
This wasn’t expected. Entering the Trials he was projected to possibly make the team for one individual event – not three.
An overachiever who came through when it mattered most, and is a sudden star. Americans revere overachievers and they should. The country itself was founded on overachievement and it’s been that way ever since. Strive to reach goals beyond your reach – and reach them. Dazzle us with your moxie.
This Fighting Irish young man is a fighter and a winner. Worthy of being called Mr. America.
Wouldn’t it be spellbinding if he swept Gold in all three events then we could call him Mr. Universe or Sir Swim or Chris the Conqueror.
I know there’s been a lot of consternation about overhyping American swimmers heading to Paris this summer and giving them labels that may put more pressure on them. In a recent SwimSwam firestorm, I called Kate Douglass Miss America and commenters unloaded countless criticisms at me, questioning my logic and sloppy use of words and judgment. Day and night I’ve been fending off these attacks.
But sometimes you have to say what you really think regardless of the consequences. Doing so, after all, is an American ideal. You have to take incoming onslaught as just part of the job, as the cost of doing business, as the price of living in a free democracy. You must share what’s in your heart, what feels to you appropriate even if no one else agrees. Speak freely, live in liberty.
Like it or not, I am calling Chris Guiliano the New Mr. America. You may not agree. You can say what you want. And so can I.
This is America.
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Sammy Sportface, a sports blogger, galvanizes, inspires, and amuses The Baby Boomer Brotherhood. And you can learn about his vision and join this group's Facebook page here:
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