For many, watching football is just a game where players compete for 60 minutes, and the fans and analysts only care about the outcome. It can be challenging for fans to grasp the personal aspects of this sport because players are frequently recognized for their talent and statistics. It should be noted that many NFL players had to overcome a variety of obstacles that were larger than the sport before they were able to achieve their dreams of becoming stars in the national football league.
One of the most effective linebackers in NFL history is unquestionably Ray Lewis. His numerous honors, which include two defensive player of the year awards, two Super Bowl victories, Super Bowl MVP, and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, among many others, are proof of his outstanding performances and superior leadership. It is easy to look at the accolades and appreciate Lewis’s greatness on the field, but it is also essential to understand that before the rewards and championships there was a bigger mountain in the former players life which drove him to succeed as a player.
Growing up, Lewis saw his stepfather beat his mother physically for several years. Lewis felt helpless to protect his mother because he lacked the strength to do so. As a result, he started pleading with his mother for a deck of cards, but she refused because she thought he would start gambling. Lewis persisted in pleading until he was granted his card set. When he saw his mother being abused once more, he would run to his garage, take out the deck of cards, and do as many push-ups, sit-ups, and other exercises as the number he had chosen. According to Lewis, jokers were worth 25 reops, aces were worth 50, and kings, queens, and jacks were worth 10. Many people place a lot of emphasis on sports, but Ray Lewis began his journey by building up his strength to protect his mother. His story can be heard here. The game of football would prove to be another stage of Lewis' journey in which he would use his challenges as inspiration to become one of the greatest players in NFL history.
Representation of Ray Lewis Deck of Cards Via Pexels
The notion that some of the greatest players in the National Football League also have some of the most fascinating backstories is one of the league's most intriguing ideas. Kurt Warner, a former quarterback who is currently in the NFL Hall of Fame, was no stranger to hardship. Despite having a productive college season, the quarterback was not selected in the NFL draft. He was an undrafted free agent who joined the Packers, but he was unable to advance up the depth chart.
At the time, Warner's only choice was to work at Hy-Vee, a grocery store, for a minimum wage. Warner joined the Arena Football League because he still couldn't get into the NFL but thought he could still play. Returning to the NFL, he would eventually become its league MVP and lead the St. Louis Rams to a 23-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans in the Super Bowl. Warner is a prime example of tenacity and a timely reminder that the key to seizing an opportunity is not to wait for it to come along, but rather to maximize it once it does.
Representation of Kurt Warner working at a grocery store Via Pexels
Another example of a person who seemed to have no chance of success is Michael Oher. Eventually, though, he was surrounded by kind individuals who pushed him to succeed despite his circumstances. Before being murdered, Oher's biological father was an irregular presence in his life, and his mother had a drug addiction. Fortunately, he would be welcomed with open arms by a kind family known as the Tuohy's, and this would change Oher's life.
Representation of Michael Oher's adoption via pexels
Oher would develop into a talented high school football player, raise his high school GPA, and go on to play college football for the Ole Miss Rebels. He would continue his journey in 2009 when the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the first round; he would go on to win a Super Bowl, play in eight NFL seasons, and become a champion. Michael Oher’s story was portrayed in the 2009 film known as The Blindside.
Nevertheless, football is incredible not just because of the elite level of talent that is displayed on the field but also because of the incredible opportunities that are presented to those who are challenged in life like Lewis, Warner, and Oher. The sport is not only a game to be played and enjoyed, but for some, it is a chance to change lives and create a legacy.
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