I have a friend who came from a golfing family and they used to golf together with their dad on weekends. The father was a huge Jack and Arnie fan, thus the children shared this affinity because you always wanted to be like your dad. Sadly my friend had a younger brother who was terminally ill and only 8 or 9 years old at the time. This was years ago in the early 80's before the internet, social media, etc. Thus, the only way to spread information was via the newspaper, tv, mail, or word of mouth.
Someone organized the family a small fundraiser at the local church and it got into a section of the local paper with some quotes. One of the quotes was from the young boy, who at this point was in the hospital simply trying to manage his comfort. He said he just wanted to go golfing with his dad and pretend he was Jack Nicklaus.
No one knows how or why, but that next week a package came from a J. Nicklaus addressed to the young boy. Since his family was almost living at the hospital trying to spend every last second with their son no one was home. A neighbor had to sign for the package and drove to the hospital in earnest; as well, neighbors were friends back then, to be counted on to help when needed. The boy was very weak and in and out of his coma at this stage. The parents had no idea who would be sending a package to their son, but they did get quite a few phone calls and letters in support after the newspaper article. My friend recalled being at the hospital and his dad saying out loud, "J. Nicklaus? Could it be Jack Nicklaus the golfer?" They wanted to wait until their son, who the package was addressed to was in a lucid period before opening the package.
Sadly that period never came and they kept the package unopened until after the funeral. They gathered as a family and the dad opening the package to uncover a letter from Jack Nicklaus and a signed photo of Jack putting at a tournament somewhere. There was something else, but I forgot what it was. The letter was written saying he had heard of the boy's illness and wanted to wish him a recovery and that he and his wife Barbara were thinking about him. It also said once he recovered he would love to meet him at any tournament the family could make to meet him in person.
The family wrote back saying that while they were forever grateful for the well wishes, regrettably their young son had succumbed to the illness. They assured him that although their son wasn't able to open the package, that he certainly was the happiest boy in heaven knowing his hero was thinking of him. I'm not sure that Jack ever wrote back, but my friend told me that story after we had become friend years later.
I have a respect for Jack Nicklaus and his wife unmatched by none other in the sports/celebrity world probably. It would be hard to imagine a better example of how a man, who everyone says is the greatest ever in golf, can exhibit selflessness and empathy for others, even strangers in this case.
He isn't just someone I respect, but after my father, probably as good of a man as I aspire to be. For the above story, as well as the humble personality I have always seen him display I couldn't be a bigger fan of the man. How his company uses his likeness to market the brand doesn't affect my opinion of him, they are trying to maximize licensing his name to make a profit (regardless if we feel he is overexposed). Great man and an even better role model for athletes today. We all know the quote about class, you can't easily define it, but you know it when you see it.