The dictionary definition of an athlete is "A person possessing the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those in competitive contexts." According to the given definition, regular people, just like you and me could be professional athletes easily, if we worked hard enough. There is more to being an athlete than just having good endurance, strength and ability. An athlete should be a team player, not be selfish, give 110%, have a strong determination and drive, give back to the community and be a good role model. Most importantly, an athlete should have the respect of his teammates, coaches, and most importantly the fans.

    A man who personifies what an athlete should be is Yankees star shortstop, Derek Jeter. Derek was a regular kid, growing up in Kalamazoo, Michigan with dreams so big, they almost seemed unreal. That big dream was to play shortstop for his favorite team, the New York Yankees. He achieved this by his hard work and determination to reach his ultimate dream. All of his hard work paid off, as he was honored with Rookie of the Year in 1996 and still continues to do so, batting over or very near to .300 in all of his eight major league seasons. His drive, determination and dedication has helped lead the Yankees to four World Series titles in the past seven years. What’s so great about Jeter is that he is a team player. He always tries to do what is best for the team, whether its getting on base, getting a key hit late in the ballgame or using his great baseball instincts to help the team out of a jam. The absolute best thing about him is that he gives 110% all the time. That has showed in crucial playoff games, such as game 3 of the division series in 2001 for that now famous flip he made to get Jeremy Giambi tagged out at home. It was also shown in the first game of this season when he made a slide head first into third base, causing him to dislocate his left shoulder and missing thirty-six games. He has come back, hitting the ball pretty well and has brought stability back to the shortstop position.

    It is very important for an athlete to be a good role model to the younger fans who admire them. Derek Jeter also does this very well. While he is known for staying out to all hours of the morning going to clubs and partying, Derek is a very good role model. No one ever hears of him doing drugs, or abusing alcohol, which provides a positive image to his younger fans. He is also known for his contributions to the community, by forming the Turn 2 Foundation after his rookie season. His foundation teaches children the dangers of drug and substance abuse, which should leave an impression on them, especially coming from one of their idols, who made his dream come true. He has also done numerous anti-drug commercials, in partnership with Major League Baseball, which leaves a positive impression on the younger ones as well, without being overly corny.

    The most important thing a good athlete should be is humble. Derek is probably one of the most humble athletes, attributed mostly by his upbringing. His humbleness makes him easy to root for, except if you’re a Mets or Red Sox fan. He doesn’t come out and say "I know I’m good" or "I’m the best". He shows he’s one of the best by going out on the field everyday, giving it his all and then some. He is the type of player that goes out there and leads by example, not by words. These qualities he possesses not only make a great athlete, but a great person as well. His recent appointment by owner George Steinbrenner as only the eleventh team captain in the illustrious history of the Yankees solidifies what he has meant to the Yankee organization and a complement to his character.

    Sure, the lexical definition of an athlete is someone who possesses acquired or natural abilities to play a sport and to play it well with what they have been given. In the minds of many, it takes someone special to be a great athlete. There is no doubt that Derek Jeter is a special person. Not only in his ability to play baseball but, what he contributes to his team and the community around him is what makes him a well-rounded athlete and most importantly, an even better person.