Watts' powerful message rekindles Olympic spirit

Somewhere between the boycotts and Ben Johnson's drug test, somewhere around the ridiculous judging from boxing ring to gymnastics mat, somewhere from the crass commercialism to the rampant nationalism, I lost the Olympic spirit.

Been gone awhile. Not likely to come back.

Majestic opening ceremonies don't light the fire. Epic performances, stirring drama, fantastic competition? Sorry, nothing trips the Olympic trigger.

But a few days ago, for a few moments, J.C. Watts came awfully close to lighting my Olympic flame.

The old wishbone quarterback turned U.S. congressman, now political squire, has maintained one constant through 30 years in the Oklahoma spotlight.

Umatched orator skills, at least for these parts.

Be it speech or sermon or streetcorner chat, Watts inspires with a rhythmic passion. And Watts' subject was the Olympic ideal.

Watts had just come from Vegas, where Tuesday he spoke to the U.S. basketball team as part of the Olympic Ambassador program.

There is nothing hidden about the USOC's agenda. Remind all its athletes to be good citizens in Beijing. Don't be Ugly Americans. Do the stars and stripes proud not only with feats afield, but with attitude and behavior.

I don't know how the current Dream Teamers welcomed Watts. Before the Hornets hit town, I would have guessed NBA stars to be clownish in regards to citizenship and responsibility. But the hoop stars that came through the Ford Center displayed a maturity that belies their image. Many of them displayed grace and dignity.

I'm not saying they were Sidney Poitier. But they also weren't slap-happy yardbirds with stocking caps dripping to their knees.

"I thought it was a great experience to have the opportunity to have them speak to us about the Olympic experience,” the Pistons' Tayshaun Prince said of the ambassador speakers. "...they had the opportunity to talk to us and remind us that the whole world would be watching, go out there and give it your all.

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