By Mark Myre/WJEZ Sports

In my sports world life, I have been very blessed to interview some great people – Dick Vitale, Robbie Gold, Bo Jackson, Jerry Rice, Jim Thome and more. I will never forget where I came from. Yesterday at the Farm Progress Show, my dad met the governor with our old neighbor, Phil Nelson. Phil is the head of the Department of Agriculture and a Newark kid, who remembers his roots. Phil has also been a great help with the Basketball Museum of Illinois. I’ve learned sports is fun, but giving back is even more important.