Perspectives: Only one is invincible

There was a lot of net worth on the Quail Hollow golf course at the Wachovia Championship pro-am on Wednesday (May 2). Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan, the two most iconic figures of my generation, were paired together and played before an overflow crowd. These are two guys who don't know how to lose. They're practically invincible. And yet they are as fragile as you and me.

The recent death of St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock should remind us of that. Sure, Hancock wasn't a star, he hadn't reached the Superman status of Woods and Jordan, and never would have. But when the world looks at a world-class athlete, regardless of how much that athlete has accomplished -- and it should be noted that Hancock was a key part of the Cardinals' World Series run -- he is viewed as almost immortal.

I'm afraid many of the athletes believe this, too. They believe that with fame comes personal security -- physical, financial, and familial security. They should know better, and so should we. The somber reminders are numerous.

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