James Stewart: Motorcross' $10 Million Man

If you're a fan of motocross racing, you might be familiar with James Stewart. At age twenty-three, Stewart is the first black super star in the sport. In many ways his life mirrors golfer Tiger Woods. Like Woods, Stewart has helped to change the face of this lilly white sport.

Also like Woods, he's making million of dollars doing what he loves. In fact, he's become known as the $10 million man for the sport. It should be no surprise if sponsors can make dollars off of one's talent, they typically put race aside for the green. Just look at college and professional sports.

In a recent interview on ESPN, Stewart revealed the racial barriers he has had to overcome from his father sheltering him from dealing with issues of race. ...

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In fact, Stewart stated in the ESPN interview how he didn't realize he was a person of color. I must say he lost me after making such a ridiculous comment. However, I do realize this brother is young, too. As the old saying goes, ignorance is bliss.

Maybe unlike most of us - since he's focused on his gifts and passion for the sport - this has allowed him to rise to the top and excel in this sport - not focusing on such hot bed issues as "race" that causes many of us to waver from accomplishing our dreams.

While this young brother has been very fortunate to earn a lot of dough doing what he loves, I think Stewart needs to further his education - attending a Community College, College or University - to broaden his horizon and social awareness.

As he'll find when he gets older, the true measure of greatness - specifically in the field of sports or just life in general - is an athlete like Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Johnson, who is no longer identified as just being an athlete these days, but as a savvy business person and a community leader, is a true change agent and pioneer who's helping to alter the community through his social projects, civic activism and business deals. Like Johnson, who spent his NBA years seeking out mentors outside of the sport while traveling on the team's dime, Stewart , who's now a diamond in the rough, has the ability to blaze a similar path, too.

While I'm proud of Stewart's success, it will be amazing to see what name he's made for himself many years later once he's no longer able to push himself to the limits on the bike.