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Dads are legendary in sports.

Michael Jordan wins the first of his six NBA titles and clutches the championship trophy sobbing, comforted by his dad, James. A little over two years later, Jordan retires for the first time, in part because his dad was murdered two months prior and his love for the game died with him.

Where’s mom? Waiting outside the locker room in 1991 and quietly by his side in the summer of 1993.

Tiger Woods wins his first Masters in record fashion and walks off the 18th green only to meet his dad and give him a big bear hug. They embrace for what seems like days while Tiger begins to cry, showing us that, yes, he is 21 after all.

Where’s mom? She is inches away, barely caught on camera, smiling while gently rubbing his back, comforting Tiger one minute after his greatest triumph.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins his first Cup race, and during the victory lane celebration, out of nowhere comes this beaming father. He pushes everyone aside and hugs his son, his smile bigger than two years earlier when he finally won the Daytona 500.

Dale Junior got everything, including his name, from his famous father, right? Fact is, Dale Junior is more like his mom than his dad. Says who? Dale Junior. Older sister Kelly is more like the old man than anyone.

Who is the most important person in sports over the last 100 years? I’d vote for Mallie Robinson. Who? She raised four kids by herself during the Great Depression. One of her sons was named Jackie. You might have heard of him. He changed a nation. Where do you think he got all that courage and strength from?

Mom doesn’t get enough credit in sports.

Think about it. Half of all households end in divorce. Most of the kids then live full-time with mom. Mom becomes the foundation from which all else is built.

In two-parent homes, Mom is often the boss. That’s a good thing. Men have seen that job become available and, even on a part-time basis, are often not up to it.

There has got to be a way to give Mom her due. Maybe a title?

Oh sure there are “soccer moms,” but that term was born out of politics, not sports. “Soccer moms” were considered a swing voting block in the ’90s. In sports, they are essential transportation.

Granted, when an athlete (usually a football player) gets on TV and the camera zooms in close, they usually say, “Hi, Mom.” That’s the only time Mom gets top billing over Dad.

Don’t get me wrong, Mom is not always perfect. Mom does, on occasion, bleach the colored uniform improperly, causing big blotches on an otherwise perfect T-shirt (Sorry Mom, but that Indians uniform when I was 9 was never the same again).

Lately a Naples little league phenomenon is moms in the dugout during the game. These well-meaning moms have no idea the psychological damage they are causing to their 8- and 9-year-old sons. Get out of the dugout now, before it’s too late!

Otherwise, Mom has a spotless record. Always ready with food, transportation, love and support, all of it unconditional.

NASCAR realized this a long time ago. Out of respect they don’t race on Mother’s Day. Those good ol’ boys were instructed to race home to tell Mom they loved her.

Of course, what did Mom do? She cooked and made sure they were full and happy.

Sports may be the passion that drives many men.

Its soul comes from Mom. It is not nearly enough, but thanks!

Happy Mother’s Day.

Please know, sports would be lost without you.

David Moulton co-hosts “Miller and Moulton in the Afternoon,” weekdays 3-7 p.m. on SportsRadio 770/ESPN. His column appears every Sunday. E-mail David at: millerandmoulton@sportsradio770.com.