My guardian angel from the east side of Appleton (Grasshopper No.3) swooped down upon my driveway this morning and made the 4 inches of snow disappear. This morning I like him best.
Sometimes people say things (or do things) that seem innocent at the time but have a major impact on others. I remember a school buddy being told he wasn't "college material". It p---ed him off. He went to on to graduate college and became very successful. What kind of guidance counselor would tell a kid not to try going on to college?
Drew Brees, quarterback for the New Orleans Saints was told he was to "short to play NFL football". He checks in at 5 foot 10 inches tall. Fortunately he didn't listen to all the experts and he has become one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game.
This week Sports Illustrated has an article on Micheal Jordan's high school basketball coach. The coach when picking the Varsity basketball squad, did not elevate sophomore Michael to "varsity". Michael was only 5'10" tall at the time. Jordan accepted the fact he would spend another year on the junior varsity. He also played his whole sophomore year "p---ed". He showed everybody. His team won almost every game and he had a couple of 50 point game performances. Fans would come to the "early" junior varsity game just to see Jordan. The rest is history. Jordan excelled in his junior and senior years and today is considered by many to the "best basketball player of all time".
The high school coach who held Michael back in his sophomore year was a black coach named Clifton (Pop) Herring. Pop actually spent lots of time working with Jordan developing his shot, inviting him to supper frequently and even making his car available when needed. Today when Michael gives talks and interviews he refers to his high school coach "Pop" who didn't have the vision to put him the varsity squad as a sophomore. Pop does't get thanks. He gets to be the butt of "funny stories" but always being painted as the bad guy.
Mike's continued bad jokes about Pop would normally "pass" but Pop is today 51 years old and financially destitute. He lives off government welfare and charity. One year after Mike graduated high school, Pop lost his coaching job. Apparently the community didn't like how he handled Mike either. So as Pop wrestles with survival, Jordan continues to kiddingly refer to Pop in a negative way. I'm not sure that Mike realizes the impact his words have had on Pop's life.
So as you get totally honest with friends and family, consider the potential impact of your words. You could change somebody's life.
I'm sure my words have never hurt people in my life. Not me! I wonder?
Go Green and Gold.
Love,
Dad
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