Our culture is in desperate need of role models and with that said I would like to introduce you to Erik Ainge. Nobody is perfect, we know this. Some people may perceive a person as perfect, but the truth is that they are far from that. The only thing a person can do to try to be as "perfect" as possible is to do good deeds, be thoughtful, excel in life, and give their all in difficult situations. There's someone I think everyone should know, that person is Erik Ainge. He is the starting quarterback for the top-ranked Tennessee Volunteers. He goes above and beyond in the classroom, doing excessive community service, and playing college football. In this essay I will discuss with you many different aspects of this fine young man. I'll let you know what he was like as a young man, how he developed into a great student athlete, and how Erik excelled in life. When Erik Ainge was young, he was a very gifted athlete. He was always taller than others (his father was 6'5”) and his parents (Doug and Diane Ainge) taught him to demonstrate good sportsmanship in his athletics. He was an outstanding football, basketball and baseball player. His father Doug played college basketball and his uncle, Danny Ainge, played professional baseball with the Toronto Bluejays, followed by a productive career as a professional basketball player (now the general manager of a professional basketball team, the Boston Celtics). Erik dreamed of playing professional basketball or soccer when he grew up. Through his hard work and discipline, Erik made all-star competitive teams when he was in elementary school and through middle school. Outside of sports it was no different. His parents made sure that not only would he grow up to be a great role model, but also that he needed to get his work done in class to have a productive career down the road. Once high school arrived, this would be the time to see if he would lose focus on his goals or take a step closer to his dreams. As he has done throughout his life, Mr. Ainge not only went above and beyond in sports, but his grades were excellent. Erik saw his first varsity football action as a freshman.