Jeremy Lin Lauded by US Secretary of Education for Influence on Kids

(Photo: Reuters/Eric Miller)
New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin (17) shoots baskets during warm-up before the start of the Knicks' NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Target Center in Minneapolis, February 11, 2012. New York won 100-98. Lin finished with 20 points.

By Christine Thomasos , Christian Post Reporter

April 18, 2012|3:28 pm

Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks starting point guard, is an individual that many children can aspire to be alike, according to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan who lauded the ball player for being one of the world's most influential persons.

Duncan wrote an article about Lin in Time magazine's "The 100 Most Influential People in the World." In the article, the secretary of education said kids can learn a great lesson from the injured Knicks point guard who graduated from Harvard University.

"Jeremy Lin's story is a great lesson for kids everywhere because it debunks and defangs so many of the prejudices and stereotypes that unfairly hold children back," Duncan wrote. "He's dispelled the idea that Asian-American guards somehow couldn't hack it in the NBA -- and that being a world-class athlete on the court is somehow at odds with being an excellent student off the court."

Despite the "Linsanity" phenomenon that was sparked by the point guard, Duncan explained that hard work was the basis for the Christian athlete's success.

"Contrary to what you might read, Jeremy, 23, is no overnight sensation. In fact, he achieved success the old-fashioned way: he earned it," Duncan wrote. "He worked hard and stayed humble. He lives the right way; he plays the right way."

Although Duncan never particularly credited Lin's faith, he said the point guard's values were commendable.

"It's great to see good values rewarded in professional sports because that's not always the case," Duncan said in the Time report. "Often it's the bling, the glam, the individual that gets celebrated -- not the team and working together to advance a goal bigger than oneself."

Lin's teammates seemed to be proud of the budding basketball star.

"Congrats to Jeremy Lin on being named one of TIME's 100 most influential people," Knicks forward Steve Novak tweeted. "#ThatsMyTeammate."

Lin remained humble about the recognition by tweeting, "Now I'm blushing."

Aside from Lin, Tim Tebow, Jeremy Lin, Stephen Colbert, Kate and Pippa Middleton made the list.