I wanted to be a footballer and then a squash player – I was in with a chance because I was very good. But I fell out of love with that by 14 or 15 and joined a youth theatre.

A detective. Or a writer. Or a poet.

Most days, I wanted to be Albrecht in the classical ballet Giselle, dancing until I dropped dead.

I was a huge daydreamer and imagined myself as a successful general leading his troops into battle.

I think it’s probably a natural, adversarial position between a commissioner in any sport and their players association, or union. I was very concerned about this problem. I wanted to be sure that we were clean, so I set up a testing program. Their union took it to arbitration, and got it softened a great deal. So now I will be criticized in the future for drug incidents, yet I was unable to execute a testing program that could stop it.

I think to a certain respect, yes. But also, you try to follow the best guidelines you have, the constitutional by-laws. You have to interpret them from time to time, but in the final analysis, in some instances, it would be a gut reaction. But a gut based on preparation and study. Not just a fly-by-night gut reaction.

Because everyone has to have an outlet. Otherwise you can get so involved in your job, or any one thing, that you’re not a very well-balanced person, and you’re not happy either, normally. I think it’s very important to take up an avocation. Sports — that was mine. But gosh, it could be music. It could be any number of things that can help give you that escape from your job or your family problems.

It was a very simple thing. It was a church camp, I think. I was there about two or three days, very young, and I just remember some counselor telling us that reputation is what people think you are, and your character is what you are. So if you have a bad reputation, you might as well have a bad character, and it pays to have a good reputation and a good character.

It’s difficult. You really have to do it as best you can. Because your family is important too. You can’t be so totally absorbed that you are not involved in their activities as well. So, I tried to divorce the two as best I could.

Never underestimate the power of an education. Everyone will tell you that, and you say, “Well, it’s not for me.” But if you can get it, it’s the most valuable thing you can get. Because it leads to happiness in your general life, and also can be your basis for a great vocation. Be patient. Learn to get along with people. It just doesn’t make sense to have an antagonistic personality. Try to get along with people. And when you have a project, prepare carefully for it. Prepare carefully.