A natural football star is born // Family tackles a health-first regime to make most of son's athletic skills

The football star is swerving down the field, speeding around andbetween the bewildered opposition. He's about to score the crucialtouchdown in the last moments of a tense game when the chant begins:"Big Mac, Big Mac, Big Mac." The opposing team's fans sway as theircry grows louder: "Big Mac, Big Mac, Big Mac." They are notattempting mystically to incant some giant defender who will save theday. They are trying to trip Todd Marinovich's nerve andconcentration.

At 16, he and certain brands of bubble gum are about the onlytruly sugar-free items in California. He is a superboy, a man-made,or rather Dad-made, sports hero who is organically grown.

Many fathers hope …