Detroit Tigers’ centerfielder Curtis Granderson hosted an open question and answer session last Wednesday, Feb. 4 for students of a Sports Ethics course.

Granderson arrived at the university after philosophy professor Dave Monroe contacted John Fuller, Granderson’s public relations representitve almost a year and a half ago.
‘I wrote a short rebuttal or something, chastising the misrepresentation, which was seen by his PR guy. Fuller contacted me about having Curtis do a campus visit,’ Monroe said. ‘So they approached me about it, rather than me getting with them.’ Of course, I stayed on top of it and didn’t let Fuller forget the offer.’

Though Granderson denied the personal title, he didn’t take long to establish himself as a role model.

He is one of a handful of professional ball players to also compliment talent with a college degree, and his well-spoken, clearly annunciated speech coupled with an aura of self-confidence reflects that.

Granderson answered every question purposed to him, regardless of subject sensitivity, including the story about how he and Monroe first came into contact.

‘USA Today interviewed me about athletes and strip clubs. My comment was and I quote, ‘I understand why guys go,” Granderson said. ‘You have males and females, you have TVs and food anything a guy might want to do to enjoy himself’hellip; I did not say I go, I did not say I condone people going, but Detroit Press reprinted the story with ‘Granderson, Fan of Strip Clubs.”

This wasn’t the only time the press gave the young ball player trouble
Granderson hosted a charity basketball event for his philanthropy Grandkids that supports education.

Some of his celebrity guests included Miss America and a former Playboy Playmate of the Year Sarah-Jean Underwood.

The media criticized him for the latter.

‘People called in and said, ‘how are you going to have a Playmate playing in your [charity] game?” Granderson recalled, ‘I said, ‘She’s not playing naked.’ To me, I felt that this was their job and their profession. We’re out here to raise money for education. Again, everybody was going to be clothed.’

In front of the cameras in the locker room is no different. Pegged by publications as a good interview, Granderson spends much of his post-game time in front of the bright lights.

‘Not everyone can do it, and I’m slowly learning how to. The difficult things with the ethics side of it is I just played against you, and now I’ve ot to talk about you. I could either say something good or something bad. Both of which could be true’hellip;but I would never say anything bad about you,’ he said.

Granderson took other questions including topics such as steroids and how to pick a sports agent for the full two hours of the class.

‘I was pretty thrilled by him,’ Monroe concluded. ‘I’d heard all the good stuff about the guy, but I thought he was more impressive in person.’

Bobby Winsler can be reached at minaret.sports@gmail.com.

Listen to the full interview at http://www.theminaretonline.com/overtime.

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