I’m sorry Tuscaloosa, but here is one headline we haven’t seen and probably won’t see:  “LeBron James donates $200,000 to tornado victims.” But if you would like to read something America’s most well known sports figure has said, google his repulsive remarks after the Heat lost in the NBA Finals. I don’t want to give Mr. James the flattery of publishing his disgusting words directed towards fans.

In an age of self-absorbed professional athletes dominating sports media, it is great to hear a heartwarming story: A selfless underdog donates a hefty portion of his winnings to a city that suffered an unthinkable natural disaster. Oh wait, this is actually true? And the city is…Tuscaloosa? Have you ever heard of K.J. Choi? If this professional golfer ever comes to Tuscaloosa, please buy this man a drink. Or shake his hand. Or give him a hug. Or, just do all three.

After bagging his biggest win ever at The Players Championship, the PGA Tour’s “fifth major,” the 41-year-old, South Korean-born K.J. Choi, now an American citizen and a Houston, Texas resident, wanted to give money to people in need. Giving back is something that isn’t new to Choi; he started the K.J. Choi Foundation to help poor children realize their dreams and has also given money to victims of the flooding in Japan. But it is his most recent act of kindness that moved me to write about him.

Growing up in South Korea in a poor but hardworking family, K.J. used to hit golf balls out of the mud in a barren field by his family’s small home as a teenager, honing his amazing ball-striking skills at a young age. The nearest golf course was over a three-hour drive from his home, so he used to get up at 3:00 a.m. to make the early morning trek so he could practice at the driving range before playing 54 holes in one day. This became a normal habit for Choi in his younger years, and this same workman-like attitude has helped him win 18 professional tournaments worldwide.

In the wake of the horrible tornado that destroyed part of Tuscaloosa and left many people homeless and without any of their belongings (myself included), Choi made one of the biggest single donations when he decided to give $200,000 to tornado relief in Tuscaloosa and other parts of Alabama ravaged by the storm.

I like watching the PGA, and I was already a fan of the well-mannered Choi, but when I saw a Golf Channel interview that highlighted how much he appreciates America and what the American dream has done for him and his family, I could truly see the sincerity in his eyes. He said he wanted to give back to America what America had blessed him with; he felt for the people of Alabama ravaged by the tornado and wanted to help them. What a class act.

I love seeing professional athletes make the most of their experience, something that cannot be said of the well-known LeBron James. After K.J.’s actions towards Americans and LeBron’s spiteful words towards Americans, I get the feeling that K.J. Choi loves living in America more than LeBron does. He is obviously more appreciative of the opportunity afforded to him. At least K.J. actually won a championship. But even if K.J. hadn’t won, he would already be more of a winner than LeBron ever will be. Thank you, K.J. Choi, for being a great American, and congratulations for living the American dream. You deserve it.