Myron Rolle: The True Story of Greatness

In the summer of 2006, I purchased a high school recruiting magazine from a grocery store in Greeley, CO for the long trip back to South Dakota.  On the cover was a kid named Myron Rolle, who at the time was the top rated high school prospect in the country. 

When I looked inside, I discovered Rolle had committed to Florida State University to play safety for the Seminoles.  I also discovered his No. 1 ranking was warranted. 

Rolle dominated any and all opposition he encountered, totaling 388 tackles while also starring as a running back for The Hun High School in Princeton, NJ.

His accomplishments on the football field earned him All-American honors from every major venue, and off the gridiron he was even more impressive.

Rolle had a 4.0 GPA and scored a 1970 on his SATs.  Enough said. 

This phenomenal athlete and student brought his talents to Florida State, where he graduated with a Pre-Med degree in only two-and-a-half years.  He was the 2007 Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar and an Academic All-American in 2008.

Perhaps his most impressive accomplishment is earning the Rhodes Scholarship, which allows him to travel to Oxford University in England where he will study his neurosurgeon craft.

In addition to his intelligence, Rolle was a third-team All-American in 2008, and probably would have been a first day selection in the 2009 NFL Draft had he declared. 

Instead, Rolle will dedicate a year of his life to helping the lives of others by studying abroad for a year and then declaring for the 2010 NFL Draft. 

To me, it's amazing that such a great athlete has decided to pass on the millions of dollars he would earn in the NFL.  How many student-athletes can claim that?  Granted, not every athlete is blessed with his intelligence, but very few, if any at all, dedicate their lives to helping others.

Rolle is another true testament to the American dream, and there should be more athletes that think the way he does. 

This player deserves the utmost respect from his peers and critics. No matter what path he chooses in life, he is well on his way to great success.