Our hometown hero’s have been getting a ton of press lately. Most of it has not been good.

A gun possession case against Virginia Beach native Plaxico Burress was adjourned until June. The state of New York is trying it’s best to throw the former Green Run star in prison. As if the embarrassment of shooting yourself in the leg isn’t punishment enough!

And then there’s our other source of NFL pride from the Peninsula. Newport News native Michael Vick will be let out of jail to return home to Norfolk this week for a bankruptcy hearing in a Norfolk courthouse. The notorious Vick of dog fighting fame was once the highest paid player in the NFL and now he’s bankrupt! The press will have a field day with each and every move Vick makes from here on out.

Vick and Burress will command a ton of national attention. That’s what happens when a star falls from grace. But what about the good guys? How come their good deeds don’t get as much attention? You know, good guys like Alonzo Mourning. The pride of Chesapeake is a true class act. He saw his jersey number retired in Miami. Zo was the first to be honored by the Heat. Zo won the NBA Championship along with an Olympic gold medal. He even defied the odds when he battled back from a kidney transplant. Alonzo Mourning is a true credit to Hampton Roads, but his latest news will get a fraction of the attention of Vick and Burress.

Same for LaShawn Merritt. The Portsmouth native continues to make public appearances following his 2 gold medal win at the summer Olympic games. His message last week to a group in Virginia Beach was loud and clear, “make good choices.” Vick and Burress could learn a great deal from Mourning and Merritt. It’s a real shame the efforts of both Mourning and Merritt don’t get as much attention as that of the dog fighter and gunslinger!

Chesapeake native, Indian River grad, NBA star, and my old friend,
Alonzo Mourning ,announced his retirement today.

He’s had quite an impressive 16 year career as a professional basketball player, but for those of us who know him- he’s more than just a basketball player.  I met Zo years ago at a RUN D.M.C. concert at the Norfolk Scope.   I was with some buddies and he was with some buddies and we all quickly became friends.   Zo has always been approachable and willing to help the less fortunate.  He didn’t have a rich upbringing when it comes to money and material things, but he will tell you his immediate and extended family provided him with an experience that positively shaped his life,  and made him the strong person that he is today.

Although Zo and his wife Tracey and kids live in Miami- he still visits Hampton Roads often and knows where his roots are.  Up until a few years ago, he held a charity softball tournament to benefit the free clinic in Chesapeake.    I was honored to be asked to attempt to play on the media team two years in a row.

He now holds a golf tournament in Hampton Roads to benefit the clinic.

His “Zo’s Summer Groove” event in Miami has grown leaps and bounds over the years and there are several other things he does to help people that he doesn’t seek the media’s attention for.

Zo has suffered from kidney disease, received a transplant, played again after that, then suffered a knee injury.

Now, retired at the age of 38,  he will have more time to spend with his wife, children, extended family and friends- and continue to make a difference and make Hampton Roads proud.   Good Luck, Zo!