My Sportsman Choice: Jarome Iginla

By Andrea Woo

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With a work stoppage putting the NHL in deep freeze and hockey teetering on non-existence in the American consciousness, a hockey player born in Western Canada and skating for a team in Calgary may not be an obvious choice for Sportsman of the Year. But indulge my effort to highlight Flames right wing Jarome Iginla -- an often under-recognized, at times superhuman athlete, who deserves this year's title for his contributions both on and off the ice.

Last season Iginla scored a league-leading 41 goals and propelled his team into the Stanley Cup finals, creating a Flames frenzy throughout the city, province and country. During the Finals, Calgary coach Darryl Sutter stated in one breath more than a dozen reasons why Iginla is so special (among them: "He's a power guy, plays power play, plays penalty killing, plays against skilled players, plays the last minute of a period, plays the first minute of a period.") And though the Flames lost in the seven games to the Lightning, Iginla contributed a playoff-high 14 goals. The son of a Nigerian father and American mother had distinguished himself on hockey's biggest stage. He was a marquee player who could skate, score and fight.

But what really makes Iginla stand out is not just his on-ice gifts. It's his awareness of his role as a minority hockey player coupled with a genuine humility. Last season, Iginla became the first black captain in the NHL and the significance was not lost on him. He embraced a leadership role and did not shy away from the inevitable questions of race, which could easily have grown wearisome. "I take pride in it and I do think about it," Iginla said last June about his impact on aspiring minority hockey players. "It's hard to put in words, but [watching black hockey players when I was growing up] made me feel it was possible. So knowing what it meant to me and thinking that maybe there are other young black kids who want to play and are in the same situation that I was and wanting to follow that dream... it's a neat feeling to think maybe [I can make a difference]."

While many athletes take a cue from Charles Barkley and cringe at the label of role model, Iginla welcomes it and shoulders its responsibilities. He works closely with numerous children's charities, helps the NHL in its diversity efforts, and never turns away an autograph-seeking fan. "Everybody thinks so highly of Jarome Iginla," Anna Black, a retired grade school teacher and a longtime Flames season ticket holder, told me during the Stanley Cup last year. "He's such a gentleman."

Though it may be some time before we have a chance to marvel at Iginla's on-ice skills, he deserves credit for who he is away from the rink. The combination of talent, modesty and class is hard to find in an athlete these days and that's what makes Iginla a genuine sportsman.

Sports Illustrated will announce the 2004 Sportsman of the Year winner on FOX on November 28. Check back every weekday until then to read more Sportsman picks from SI writers.

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