A Father's Day message from Tyson + Bryan!

June 17, 2012

Hey guys! It's Bryan Clay and Tyson Gay here, and, in honor of Father's Day, we wanted to team-up to talk to you about the importance of another incredible group of Superstars: dads.

We are both blessed and fortunate enough to be fathers ourselves. And, as dads, we know the joy and fulfillment that comes along with that role, like watching our kids grow up and become stronger and more independent, teaching them our values and helping them learn from their experiences. But, making sure our kids are being placed in the best possible position to become successful and happy in life is a huge responsibility for us as dads. It is a role full of difficult decisions. Actually, you could say fatherhood is all about making decisions.

But, parents aren't the only people who have to make tough choices and accept both the rewards and consequences of those choices.

Kids do, too.

Youth face incredible pressures today from all directions — from friends, parents, teachers and coaches, to name a few. The two of us, along with the other Ask, Listen, Learn Superstars, have been privileged enough to visit middle schools all across the country and hear some of the difficult situations kids are placed in and the often daunting decisions they are confronted with.

The choice of whether to drink alcohol before you are old enough to do so is among the most common and troubling decisions we've discovered they are presented with.

As world-class athletes, it would have been difficult for us to reach high levels of competition had we made unhealthy choices like drinking underage. But, we also understand how hard it can sometimes be to say “no,” especially if the pressure comes from someone close to you. So, we've listed our 10 favorite ways for kids to say “yes” to a healthy lifestyle and “no” to underage drinking at the bottom of the page to help you stay on track to the healthy, successful life you've envisioned for yourself.

Always remember that, as fathers, we constantly want what's best for our kids. And even though it doesn't always seem like it, we are pretty wise guys, and we love to give advice. So, talk to Dad (or any adult with whom you feel comfortable) about the best ways to make healthy choices become healthy habits in your life. And when it comes to drinking underage, we both know you are smart enough to say “yes” to a healthy lifestyle and “no” to underage drinking!

Happy Father's Day!

-Tyson and Bryan

Bryan and Tyson's Top 10 ways to say “yes” to a healthy lifestyle and “no” to underage drinking:

· “I'm smarter than I look.”

· “I'm not a follower; I'm a leader, and I'm saying no!”

· “No Thanks, I'm allergic to alcohol.”

· “No, that's crazy. My parents will ground me for a month.”

· “Sorry, I need all my brain cells.”

· “That's not my style.”

· “I don't drink on days that end in a 'Y'.”

· “Ah… to drink or not to drink, that is the question… I'll take NOT.”

· “I'm way too cool for that stuff!”