It is becoming rare, in these days of 24-hour media surveillance, that athletes let us see their true selves. It seems that everything is a PR campaign, with players increasingly discouraged from saying what’s really on their mind in the attempt to avoid any possible controversy. This, however, also means that we don’t always get to see the fun side of our favorite athletes, which is why the biggest goofballs can be so endearing. Recently, at a public appearance, Portland Trail Blazers rookie center Greg Oden showed that he’s ready to fill Shaq’s shoes, not just as the dominant big man in the NBA but in terms of willingness to have fun in public. We’ll have to wait and see if Oden is ready to step in and be the franchise player that the Blazers hope he’s going to be, but one thing is clear from this video: he should not be pursuing a vocal career.

Also, peep that sweet Obama shirt! Speaking of athletes willing to speak their mind…