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When Koss returned to Eritrea, he tracked down the kids he watched on his first visit and gave them new soccer balls. He describes the light from their eyes as blinding, a real St. Paul experience. The rest is philanthropic history. When Johann Koss speaks, his English is perfect, with a slow, and playful lilt to his accent. He is a man serious about the miracle, the transformative nature of play. When he explains the moniker Right To Play, he concedes its play on words, the double entendre. "Of course all children have the right to play, in the sense of an entitlement, a moral convention," says Koss. "But it's also right in the sense of good – ultimately helpful and in the best interests of everyone on this planet." Koss has learned the delicate language of the diplomat from necessity. A quick scan of some of Right To Play's host countries include some of the most volatile and dangerous places on the globe: Sudan, Liberia, Uganda, Rwanda, the Palestinian Territories.  Johann Koss shared SI athlete of the year with Bonnie Blair in '94. To paraphrase Koss during my conversation with him: Take away the essential joy of play, and a child can be filled with almost anything; give that freedom of expression that only play can bring, and that child is inoculated against hate. Other Olympians have taken Koss' example to heart – and the bank. American Joey Cheek donated his 2006 Winter Games earnings from the medals he won to Right To Play. Canadians Clara Hughes, who won medals in both the summer and winter games, Kristina Groves, Alexander Ovechkin, Beckie Scott, and Dutch Boxer Arnold Vanderlyde – just to cite a few – made Right To Play their charitable mission. The ambassadorial athletes who offer time, money and field support to Right To Play are like a who's-who list of achievement. "This is one of the greatest causes I have ever seen. Right To Play is using the incredible power of sport and play to help children who are affected in refugee camps, affected by war and orphaned by HIV/AIDS," says Wayne Gretzky, Right To Play Athlete Ambassador and Hockey Hall of Famer. Sport and play are not luxuries, but crucial building blocks for all our futures, explains seven-time Tour de France winner and Right To Play Ambassador Lance Armstrong. "Sport has the power to change and heal lives, to build self-esteem, confidence and leadership and to create extraordinary possibilities." Johnson & Johnson and Adidas came forward early as major corporate sponsors. The prestigious Chelsea Football Club in the UK finalized a long-term charitable partnership early this year. Countless individuals have quietly supported Right To Play with generous annual donations. Schools and athletic teams throughout the world pass around jars into which spare change makes big change. Seldom has the mark of one man scored so wide and deep, without fanfare. Next time some campaigning politician brays about "the children," send your donation to Right To Play with a thank-you card for Johann Koss. John Budris is the editor of HOFMAG.com.
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