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Tribute: A Speech Fit For A King

Jack Nicklaus — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Arnold Palmer receives the Congressional Gold Medal, and Jack Nicklaus shares memories of a man he'll never forget.

Arnold Palmer becomes sixth athlete to be honored with the Congressional Gold Medal

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 17:36:00 GMT

After amassing countless accolades on the golf course during his storied career, Arnold Palmer joined a Mount Rushmore of American heroes, including George Washington and Neil Armstrong, when he was honored for his far-reaching lifetime contributions on Wednesday.

"He didn't set out to change the game. But he did. Arnold Palmer democratized golf. And made us think that we too could go out and play, and made us believe we could do anything really. All we had to do was go out and try," said Speaker of the House John Boehner, one of a number of politicians who helped honor Palmer in a cermony in the Rotunda of the Capitol building.

"You've struck our hearts and our minds, and today your government and fellow citizens are striking the Gold Medal for you."

Palmer became the sixth athlete to be honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, "the highest honor that can be bestowed upon any living citizen," following the iconic Roberto Clemente of the Pittsburgh Pirates, track and field Olympic champion Jesse Owens, Brooklyn Dodger pioneer Jackie Robinson, boxing legend Joe Louis and fellow golfer Byron Nelson.

"It's interesting that two of the six [recipients of the honor] have been golfers," Palmer said in a short acceptance speech that capped the ceremony. "I like to truly believe that golfers promote some sort of human value that symbolizes so many Americans, such as characteristics of honesty, hard work, dedication, responsibility, and respect for the other guy."

Jack Nicklaus, a competitor of Palmer's on the course and later in business and golf design, joined in honoring his close friend, with a heartfelt speech built around the theme of "the Arnold Palmer I'll never forget."

Nicklaus, in tears toward the end of the speech, recounted the now-famous first time he watched Palmer hit a ball at age 14, standing and watching in awe at Sylvania C.C. outside Toledo, Ohio as Palmer hit "piercing long irons into the rain," on the driving range before the 1954 Ohio Amateur Championship.

Trending: Tell your Senator to vote for Jack

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:24:00 GMT

Our representatives up on Capitol Hill might not see eye-to-eye on many topics, but one thing is certain: they love golf. Yesterday it was announced that The House of Representatives has voted to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal on Jack Nicklaus. If it passes, Jack will join Arnold Palmer (2009) and Byron Nelson (2006) as recipients of the honor. The Congressional Gold Medal was last given in 2010 to Japanese-American World War II veterans.

Related: Jack Nicklaus on majors

Aside from his golf achievements, including a record 18 major championships, Nicklaus was cited for his humanitarian work with the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, which has raised more than $12 million to support pediatric health services.

Related: Jack Nicklaus on family

Now the legislation goes up for vote in the Senate. So get on the phone, tell your Senators to forget trying to fix a broken system and focus on the one thing we can all agree on: Jack Nicklaus is awesome. Need further proof?

-- Derek Evers
Follow @DerekEvers