SOURCE: Chicago Sun-Times

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"His mother will remember driving from soccer practice and him changing into his football clothes," said Jason's father, Lee McCormick, of Palos Heights.

At Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park, McCormick played football and wrestled on the varsity team for four years.

"The way that I grew up, sports was so much of a part of what I did that putting numbers on sports was like second nature to me," he said.

Apparently McCormick also made a few wagers in his youth.

His father likes to tell a story about taking his son to the racetrack to teach him about betting on horses.

"I go up to the window to make these bets, and the person looks over my shoulder and says, 'Hi, Jason,' " his father said.

The elder McCormick also said his son and a friend were abandoned by their dates while gambling at the Ho-Chunk Casino in Wisconsin after their prom.

But those who knew McCormick during his teen years said he had more than just a one-track mind - he was a good student, a go-getter and a natural leader.

"He was always more than just about the sport; he was about everyone else," said Tom Lahey, McCormick's former wrestling coach and current head dean at Andrew.

"Winning wasn't everything; being part of the program was more important. He wasn't an individual; he was more of a team player."

McCormick's collegial attitude might explain why he worked his way up the career ladder so quickly after graduating from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and why he remains down-to-Earth about his unique position.

"It's not something that you can have a power trip about," McCormick said.

"Every day is a new day, and every day hundreds of thousands of dollars can move back and forth. I love it, but it can be very stressful," he said.

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