After being so critical of the NFL’s ethics and business practices, I feel obligated to highlight the impressive example of Alan Page, a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee (in 1988) who does not suffer from CTE and who exemplifies the kind of role model American youth should know about and emulate. I’m embarrassed to admit that I had no idea that Page had gone on from his NFL exploits with the Minnesota Vikings to, among other things,
- Establish and oversee the Page Education Foundation, which award Page Scholarships to black students who are then obligated to mentor younger children. The foundation has awarded nearly 9,000 scholarships and taken in approximately $16 million in grants.
- Earn a law degree from the University of Minnesota in 1978, while he was still playing football.
- Practice employment law in a law firm, join the Attorney General’s office, and eventually became assistant attorney general.
- Get elected to the Minnesota Supreme Court four times, sitting for 22 years on the court before hitting the mandatory retirement age of 70.
- Write inspirational children’s books with his daughter, Kamie Page.
As I believe I have mentioned before, my favorite people are the ones who have been successful in successive or simultaneous pursuits. Teddy Roosevelt, my favorite U.S. President. Ben Franklin. Richard Gil, who was a respected Harvard economist while singing principal bass roles at the Metropolitan opera. Orrin Hatch, a U.S. Senator who wrote songs recorded by many notable singers. Burl Ives, who was another NFL player who shifted careers neatly, becoming a popular folk singer and recording artist as well as an acclaimed actor on Broadway and in films. Paul Winchell, the TV kid’s show host, actor and ventriloquist who invented important medical devices, including an artificial heart valve. Ronald Reagan, of course. Hedy Lamarr.
Alan Page is an impressive member of this versatile group. Attention must be paid.
Ethics Alarms 
Albert Schweitzer? Leonardo da Vinci? Michael Faraday? Charles Ives (insurance executive and composer)? William Carlos Williams (doctor and poet)? Thomas Edison? Luigi Cadorna (military officer, diplomat, archaeologist)? Lots of polymath types out there.
Actually I was thinking of Luigi di Cesnola – fascinating life.
I should have mentioned Albert Schweitzer, another favorite. I don’t think insurance executives count: who’s a great insurance executive? Edison? Unless you’re counting his entrepreneuring (and he was a terrible businessman), I’d regard him as a full time inventor. Da Vinci–I don’t count Renaissance types who lived in the Renaissance. I also ruled out wartime military exploits, so Jimmy Stewart and Ted Williams don’t make the cut. I should have mentioned Tom Lehrer for sure…
Can’t forget Brian May the astrophysicist and very successful musician.
if you are going to bring up Brian May, you have to mention Bruce Dickinson.
-Jut
on Bruce Dickinson (of Iron Maiden fame), from Wikipedia:
Outside his career in music, Dickinson has pursued a number of other activities. He undertook a career as a commercial pilot for Astraeus Airlines, which led to a number of media-reported ventures such as captaining Iron Maiden’s converted charter aeroplane, Ed Force One, during their world tours. Following Astraeus’ closure, in 2012 he created his own aircraft maintenance and pilot training company, Cardiff Aviation. Dickinson presented his own radio show on BBC Radio 6 Music from 2002 to 2010, and has also hosted television documentaries, authored novels and film scripts, created a beer with Robinsons Brewery and competed at fencinginternationally.
-Jut
Donald Trump? Real estate magnate (or maggot, depending on your perspective), host of a hit television show (using his own brand of nastiness), President, great fundraiser for his own legal defense(s). In any event, successive pursuits — although the success of each is open for debate. 🥸
Trump qualifies, Michael, though of course few will want to give him credit for his career breadth. He ranks with Teddy, Jefferson and Reagan as the Presidents with the most varied talents.
Salvatore Bono. Songwriter, quasi-singer, actor, mayor of Palm Springs, US Representative, champion of copyrights.
I’d add Wallace Stevens, insurance company lawyer and modernist poet.
I remember Alan Page from his days as a member of the Purple People Eaters.
And thank you, Jack, for mentioning Tom Lehrer. One of Harvard’s finest.
Byron “Whizzer” White.
Yup. One of my father’s favorite people, and I should have mentioned him. I was counting on the commentariat to make up for my commission, and you came through, as usual.