We need more stars like Roger Federer

In the maelstrom of negative stories that have surfaced around our most successful athletes recently (Tiger Woods, Gilbert Arenas, Mike Leach, Marvin Harrison etc.) it's relieving to know that we still have guys like Roger Federer. Fed is already set to go down as best tennis players ever and one of the most dominant athletes we have seen in our generation. I think everyone would agree that he belongs in the most elite of company when we think of today's top athletes.

However Roger is unique among dominant athletes in that I have never seen a shred of negative publicity around him, either brought on himself or from other people. I've always liked the fact that he stayed with his wife of many years and isn't seen with the type of ridiculously attractive women you see supporting guys like Andy Roddick or Rafael Nadal in the stands. I have never seen Fed act out on the court or even celebrate obnoxiously. He takes both victory and loss in stride and never loses his cool. He also isn't a media mogul like Kobe Bryant or Lebron James and doesn't do everything he can to control his public image. He's done all he can to carry himself as a selfless, soft-spoken and stand-up guy. It's rare to see an athlete so dominant who isn't a least kind of an asshole like we've seen with Tiger Woods recently and Michael Jordan a decade ago. Even the beloved Lance Armstrong left his wife, and mother of his child, who had stayed with him through cancer and earned a chapter in his autobiography for Sheryl Crow (before later dumping her).

I caught a note on Sportscenter today saying how Federer had come out and shown his support of Tiger Woods and how he had been in contact with the much-maligned golf-demigod through this trying time. I can't really think of anyone else who has really spoken out in behalf of Woods as most people have taken the opportunity to condemn him (just check out any soundbite given by any PGA golfer over the last 2 months).

Federer and Woods have had a highly publicized friendship and I really enjoy the fact that Federer is proving the legitimacy of that relationship. Fed is not trying to gain any publicity by this move (believe me he has a enough with the Australian Open about to begin) and I really believe he's just trying to help out a friend in need. In a world where it appears that no professional athlete is completely innocent it's nice to have a guy like Roger Federer. Now if only we could find some more...