Asomugha is one of those people.
As quick as people are to talk about him being one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, they are just as quick to point out what a quality human being he is and how he has made such a strong commitment to helping others.
"I've always said that no matter where I ended up I was going to continue to do work in the community," Asomugha said yesterday as he was formally introduced as the newest Eagle. "You can't play football forever.
"But I do believe that while you are playing, you have to use that platform in some sort of way. For me it's been helping out in the community and it has always been."
As much as Raiders fans will miss Asomugha's play on Sundays, the kids at the East Oakland Youth Development Center likely will miss him more.
In 2003, what started as a simple visit to the center evolved into a longstanding relationship during which Asomugha, who played collegiately at Cal Berkeley, made weekly visits to mentor and tutor.
"What gets lost in this is how difficult it is to leave a place that you've been for so long," Asomugha said. "I'm from Los Angeles, but I've spent a little less than half of my life in the Bay area.
"It's a difficult thing to do. The excitement is where I am now. I'm a Philadelphia Eagle. Let's go win a championship. But it was difficult to leave. There are obviously people that are going to be missed."
Asomugha's NFL resume includes four straight Pro Bowl selections and four All-Pro selections, including the last three.
But his philanthropic honors include the 2007 Home Depot Neighborhood MVP Award, a 2008 President's Volunteer Service Award, and the 2009 Byron "Whizzer" White NFL Man of the Year Award.
He was named to the 2009 Dream Team for Public Service by the Jefferson Awards for Public Service.
