What is a leader?

How is it defined? Is it success on the field or is it how a person conducts themselves? Does the leader need to be the strongest on the team? Does the leader need to be the best? Does a leader need to win?

Mark Messier, Kristine Lily, Derek Jeter, and Tom Brady are some of the names that are thrown out when talking about being a leader in sports. Another name that will emerge this year, is the Denver Broncos Javon Walker. Walker held Darrent Williams, a second year pro, as he died on the early morning hours of the first day of this year. Williams was shot outside a New Years Eve party hours after the Broncos just missed qualifying for the playoffs. Now sporting a mohawk in honor of Williams, Walker has taken it upon himself to lead a team that didn't play in January, to a team that can very easily be playing in February of '08. Numurous writers have described Walker as being in the best shape of his life, and ready to wreck havoc on opposing secondaries. He has been spotted staying late and arriving early to camp, working with rookies, and going over passing patterns with sophomore quarterback Jay Cutler.

What is a leader? How is it defined? Is it success on the field or is it how a person conducts themselves? Does the leader need to be the strongest on the team? Does the leader need to be the best?