A real Rolle model

One of my favorite shows to watch is Mike and Mike in the Morning in ESPN2. The duo has had many guests on during their 10 year run, but I've never been so impressed with a single guest as I was this morning.

If anyone was digging around for a person to cheer for to achieve his dreams, it has to be former Florida State Seminole safety Myron Rolle.

Some of you may ask "Who's Myron Rolle?" Rolle will be attending the NFL Combine in the hopes of playing in the NFL. He is rated as the #10 safety for the upcoming draft. But his desire to be a professional football player is not what makes Rolle special. It's his other dream.

What's so impressive about Rolle is that he's already planning for life after football. Florida State doesn't exactly hold a stellar reputation when it comes to its student-athletes. Rolle is changing that.

Upon Rolle's arrival on the FSU campus, he was rated as the #1 athlete coming out of high school. During Rolle's time there, he obtained a degree in pre-med...in two and a half years while maintaining a 3.75 GPA. Rolle's academic story does not end there.

Not only was he an Academic All-American twice, he also received the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. He had to interview for the scholarship on a date when his Seminoles were playing. Rolle arrived late to the game due to interview. This gave Rolle a chance to go to England and study at Oxford. Only 32 people, not athletes, receive this honor. There's more.

While in Oxford, Rolle defined the role he wanted to pursue. He was taking a course on how Westernized medicine can be used in conjunction with the cultures of undeveloped areas of the world. Sometimes, our brand of "medicine" is frowned upon in other parts of the big marble we call Earth. Rolle wants to take his studies, become a neurosurgeon and go to these places to help others while also observing the local customs and culture.

Rolle even set aside the NFL for a season to attend Oxford and that has not been lost on NFL teams. He's already been asked about his level commitment to the NFL. He said he wants to play about 10 years and return to his other love, helping others that need help.

Myron, you have a new fan here. I wish you all the best...both in the NFL and in your future.