Boomer Esiason: heroes really do exist Dave Jacoby   In light of the ongoing NBA strike, sports fans' opinion of professional athletes has gradually deteriorated to the point of frustration. With high-profile cases such as the Latrell Sprewell and Roberto Alomar incidents, it would appear that there are no admirable sports stars any more. This statement is not true. Even though the media blow these stories way out of proportion, there are still sports heroes who nobly overcome real-life tragedy. Take Boomer Esiason, for example. When his son Gunnar was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age two, he had a positive outlook on the situation. "He's going to be the guy who stands up and says, 'I beat this,' " Esiason said. "I really believe that." This coming from a man who knows the prognosis of Gunnar isn't hopeful. Cystic Fibrosis is an incurable disease that affects almost 30,000 Americans. People who suffer from it usually die of lung failure by their 31st birthday. Since that fateful day in 1993, Boomer has launched an extremely visible campaign to find a cure for CF. Just a few months after Gunnar's diagnosis, Esiason established the Quarterback Challenge for Cystic Fibrosis to raise money for a cure. In May of 1994, he spoke before a US Senate committee on health care reform. One year later, Esiason pledged $1.6 million to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through his Heroes Foundation. The Children's Hospital Medical Center, which received the generous donation, named its pulmonary medical wing the Gunnar H. Esiason Cystic Fibrosis and Lung Center in honor of the gift. Then Boomer was was named the 1996 NFL Man of the Year. He accepted the award in honor of his son. At that point, his Heroes Foundation had raised $2.5 million for CF research. In August 1997, the last year of his illustrious NFL career, Esiason played for the Cincinnati Bengals. Because Gunnar couldn't watch his father's games from the outdoor seats at Cinergy Field (cold air aggravates CF), Boomer leased a 20-seat luxury box for him. Boomer retired at the end of the 1997 season. A primary reason for his desicion to hang it up was to spend more time with Gunnar. Boomer has also raised money for CF through the culinary arts. "Boomer's Original BBQ Sauce," introduced in 1996, has become the most award-winning sauce on the National BBQ Competitive Circuit. Thick and Chunky Salsa was introduced by the company in 1997. Proceeds from sales of the BBQ Sauce and Salsa go to The Boomer Esiason Foundation to further research on a CF cure. Boomer Esiason's valor in the face of personal tragedy is an example everyone can take to heart. Saying that there are no more true sports heroes is a cop-out. There are many. You just might have to look past the front page to find them.