At a recent event honoring Jonathan Ogden, the Baltimore Ravens� first Hall of Fame member, Ogden was described as a hero for his accomplishments on and off the field. His football career speaks for itself � first draft choice of the Baltimore Ravens, 11 Pro Bowls in his 12-year career, a Super Bowl victory, among other honors. And through the Jonathan Ogden Foundation, he has been a source of support and encouragement to many underprivileged and underrepresented in Maryland.
During the event, I was reminded that the word �hero� is used frequently � perhaps too frequently � in reference to athletes and athletics. With no disrespect to Jonathan Ogden � or, for that matter, to any of us who�ve been described as heroes for our achievements in sports � I�d argue there are others who are far more deserving of the word �hero�.
On November 16, for example, I had the privilege of participating in a football game between former NFL players and the Wounded Warrior Amputee football team. The team comprises veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars who�ve lost a limb and who are determined that the loss will not curtail their athletic careers. Brian Mitchell quarterbacked a team of former NFL players � Roy Jefferson, Garo Yepremian, Mike Bass, Larry Brown, Mack Alston, Pat Fischer, Eric Hipple, Ron Saul, among others � and I�ve got to tell you, the WWAF team was a formidable opponent.
Beyond the football field, though, these young men � and hundreds of thousands of others � have accomplished even greater feats. They volunteered for military service at a time when our nation was involved in two wars, in theaters far from home. They were deployed time and time again, engaging an enemy that was often unseen and enduring some of the most challenging conditions imaginable. And, like generations before them, they gave life and limb for our nation.
Heroes.
Pro football has its share of heroes. They�re men like Pat Tillman, Roger Staubach, Rocky Bleier, Art Donovan, Ralph Heywood and a host of others who delayed or interrupted their football careers to serve in World War II, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and other military engagements. In this month of November, when we celebrate both Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, let�s remember these heroes and the many others who serve in harm�s way, and give thanks for them.
Have a safe and secure Thanksgiving Day.
Bruce Laird
President, Fourth & Goal
Baltimore Colts, 1972-1981
San Diego Chargers, 1982-1983
No comments:
Post a Comment