An Unorthodox Look at the Safety of High School Football

It was alarming to find out earlier this week that the 7th high school football player has died this year in the US, all from blunt force trauma to the head. This news has me shaken as well as made me ready to discuss an issue that has bothered me for years.

Those of you that know me, know I live for high school football. I feel high school football is the purest form of sport of any level. There are so many positive benefits from high school football, from the physical attributes to the character benefits it requires. This day in advancement, we (including myself) ask athletes to be bigger and stronger to smarter and faster, all of which push the limits towards possible injury, to all competitors involved. Some high school football players, and their families, know that football is their only hope of going to college, so is it their fault that they push themselves to the physical limits to be the bigger, stronger, smarter, faster athlete, which may in turn injure themselves or another athlete (sometimes fatally) on the field of play. I say Absolutely Not.

Today, coaching proper technique is Priority. Understanding the way to not lead with the head is being taught at every football practice around the nation, and should be. There is a way to play the game with great intensity – the right way.

Here is the problem that I’ve had for several years. Referees.

With all the advancement and requirements we have of making players pass physicals and such, why isn’t it the same for Referees. Some may question, what do Referees have to do with players dying during competition. Maybe nothing, but here is what I’m seeing.

Over the last 15 years of my involvement with high school football, I’ve noticed a dramatic decline in the health of high school football Referees. Referees are older, a majority are overweight, and most could not pass a physical. Here is where this problem comes back to the athletes. If Referees cannot get in the right positions to make calls, such as helmet to helmet contact, because they aren’t physically fit, what are we teaching.

Look at College and NFL Referees, they are as if not more fit than the athletes. Why isn’t it the same for high school Referees? I understand money, but all we hear is, ‘’Safety First’’, is it?

Requiring Referees to be physically fit and pass physicals would help make it easier for them to be in the right positions to make correct calls. This would result in more Personal Foul penalties being called for head related hits and deter players from doing so because, players would be ejected from games and be suspended for subsequent games, which would in turn hurt their potential future college plans as well as hurt their teams.

I understand my thoughts may offend some, but something has to be done.

My Chat with Friends

 I was asked by my friend Ashley Wahl of the O.Henry Magazine to take a stab at this concept:  Imagine this, I am able to sit down and have a beer (lemonade, ha) with any 5 people I’d like. Time is irrelevant. I can choose people who are famous, dead or living. Why would I pick who I picked? What questions would I ask them, and where would I want to meet them?

After thinking this would be a fairly simple task, I am finding that narrowing this down to only 5 influential individuals is extremely difficult, but I’m going to give it a try. Here are my 5 people that I’d love to chat will! (In no particular order)

1). Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Dr. King, in my opinion, is the most influential figure in American history. Being best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights with nonviolent tactics, he is definitely at the top of my list. With Dr. King being a man of such significant words, we would meet at the place where he spoke his last words, in room 306 at the Lorriane Motel, in Mempis, Tenn. Having so much of an influence on how we live today, I would want to know how it felt to not be accepted by so many. Also, what made him continue to believe that his thoughts and beliefs were right, because so many felt the opposite. Like Dr. King, I feel that ALL people are created equal. No matter a person’s race, sex, ethnic background, sexual orientation, and don’t forget disAbility, everyone should have the same opportunities and be treated with full respect.  I admire Dr. King for many things, but one that stands out the most is his ability to speak up for those who could not speak out, and he did so with the understanding that there would a potential for violence against him, but the importance of his message overruled his fear. I would also ask if he could fast forward his life to 2013, would he proud of what he spoke for and what  he had accomplished, but maybe more importantly, what more would he do? After picking his brain and after enjoying a glass of iced sweet tea, I would proudly sit beside him on that balcony and face the world.

2). Michael Jordan – Michael Jordan, what more can I say, probably the greatest American basketball player that ever played the game. An All-Star, a closer, a clutch performer, and a 6-time Champion, it would be an honor to be in his presence. Winning 6 Championships with the Chicago Bulls, there is no question where we would meet, the place where those banners hang in the rafters, the United Center in Chicago, Ill. As we sit on the team’s bench (where Michael was rarely at) and enjoy some Gatorade, the first question I’d ask would be, what did it feel like to be unstoppable on the court? The way he would take over a game was unbelievable. At the end of a game, when his team needed a bucket, everybody in the arena knew he would get the ball, but there was nothing the opposing team could do, but hope he would miss the shot. How did he handle that pressure, pressure every night? Being in the spotlight 24/7, did it ever get old? As a competitive person myself, I’ve never had the experience of making that game-winning shot or that buzzer-beater, but I look at Michael Jordan as more than an athlete. As dominant as he was on the court, how can I be just as dominant at my game, life. Every time when the odds are stacked against me, like Michael, look straight in the face of adversity, give a wink, and say, ‘’I got this’’.

3). ‘’Texas Dolly’’ Doyle Brunson – Being one of the ‘’Grandfathers’’ of poker, Doyle Brunson made my list for many reasons. Now at the young age of 79, ‘’Texas Dolly’’ as he is known to the poker world, has virtually accomplished every achievement as a gambler and professional poker player. Brunson has won 10 World Series of Poker Bracelets (winning the Main Event in 1976 & 1977), has 1 World Poker Tour title to his credit, a Poker Hall of Famer, and in 2006, was recognized as being the #1 most influential force in the world of poker. I had the privilege of meeting Brunson in Las Vegas in 2009, but unfortunately it was only for a brief second as we were both on break during a tournament we both were playing. Obviously, as we sat across from each other at a poker table in Vegas, most of my questions would be about the ‘’old days’’ when poker was illegal everywhere and definitely not socially accepted. I can imagine as Brunson would tell his stories over a stiff drink, the stories would be filled with things like running from the law, playing in underground poker games, and the occasional run-in with ‘’not-so-nice’’ people, all of which I think has made what poker is today. As he has played poker for over 50 years, what are the differences in the game today as opposed to his younger days and, in his option, has the evolution of the game made the game better? As an ambassador of poker, what advice would he give poker players today, like myself, to ensure they respect the game as he has done for so many years?  As Brunson continues to be a leading force in the poker world, he was once quoted saying, ‘’A man with money is no match against a man on a mission’’, showing that ‘’Texas Dolly’’ is much more than a gambler, but a man of great character.

4). Harry Caray – If you are a baseball fan, you know who Harry Caray is. If you are a Chicago Cubs fan, you Definitely know who Harry Caray is. As a life-long Cubs fan, I grow up listening to the legendary announcer call Cubs games on WGN. Known for his oversized black glasses and larger than life personality, Caray is one of the most influential sportscasters in Major League Baseball history. Caray started his broadcasting career in 1945 with the St. Louis Cardinals, then continued with the Oakland Athletics, Chicago White Sox, before taking his last job with the Chicago Cubs following the 1981 season. The amount of history that Caray knows is what amazes me. As we would sit in the press box overlooking Wrigley Field, I can imagine the stories he would tell would increasingly get more hilarious as he partook in his favorite drink, Old Style Beer produced by Budweiser. I’d ask questions about how baseball has changed over his lifetime, who is the greatest baseball player he had ever seen, and if he thought baseball players make too much money today. Honestly, my questions would not be my focus, I would just like to sit and listen to his stories for hours. Anyone that listened to a Cubs game knew that Harry Caray loved what he did and Caray’s most famous contribution to baseball is his legendary singing of the seventh-inning stretch. At the end of the evening, I would ask if he would join me in singing ‘’Take Me Out To The Ballgame’’ one last time and of course at the end of the song, we’d shout, ‘’LETS GET SOME RUNS!!!”

5). Bob Marley – As reggae music’s most influential pioneer, Bob Marley’s feel good messages were primarily focused on the social issues of his homeland. Marley is considered to have given voice to the specific political and cultural problems of Jamaica. Having such an impact on Jamaica and the people of Jamaica, there would be no doubt that his homeland would be the perfect setting for our meeting. Sitting by the beach, enjoying the ‘’herbal remedies’’ of the land, and listening to Bob sing hits like ‘’I Shot the Sheriff’’, ‘’Three Little Birds’’, and ‘’Jamming’’ would be the highlight of the day.  I’d want to know how much religion played a part in his music, with him being a vital member of the Rastafari movement. As Marley began to get more popular, did he feel pressure to continue to speak up for his people? I’m sure he was ridiculed for opposing opinions of the norm, so what gave him the drive to go against popular demand and continue to spread the word of the struggles of Jamaica? I think the messages of love and being kind to one another are messages that can be relevant to all people and can last for many generations to come. Having so much of an impression of life, not to mention music, is why Bob Marley made my list. Music has a dramatic degree of how we think and act, and as a music lover myself, I don’t think artists today take advantage on speaking about positivity. Marley was a man that looked at life as we all should, with kindness and an opportunity to make everyone’s life better.

Even though I could only choose 5 individuals, there are many more that I would love to spend time with. As you know, I pride myself on being an open book. So, if anyone has questions for me or wants to know my thoughts/ideas on a particular issue, feel free to ask!

Much love people! Be well!

Realization of Reality

I, as well as most us, often wonder why we are who we are. Some people are nurses, teachers, musicians, and artists while others are drug dealers, druggies, prostitutes, and those that live a life of destruction. Why is this? I believe that this game we call life is that of a huge roadmap, that of which you can go east or west, and north or south. No matter what direction we go, it is relative on the Realization of Reality of who we are.

For me, it took several years to grip who I really was. Why was I the one to be handicap? Why was I the one to be in a wheelchair? Why was I the one that has to depend on others for 95% of my needs? All the questions I asked at a young age. When I was about 17, that roadmap of life was placed in front of me and I had to realize the reality of who I was. I realized that I had a purpose, a responsibility, and a job to do to be the best that I could be. I came to terms that I was who I was because……I could handle it. That left me with a choice, which direction would I go. I choose to take the path of positivity and drive, instead of the road of helplessness and pity. I choose and still ride that difficult road, filled with the rough and bumping roads of obstacles, daring me to go off path. I’ve been blessed with a great support system throughout my years and I thank them for helping me stay on course.

If there is one thing I’ve learned over the years is that, Everyone, is important and has a purpose. But (and yes there is a but), it is up to you to figure out what way you will go. The Realization of the Reality, in my opinion, is one of the most important aspects of life. Figuring out and understanding who you are is half the battle, then you have to decide your direction. Who are you and what way will you go?

Much Love!

Realization of Reality

I, as well as most us, often wonder why we are who we are. Some people are nurses, teachers, musicians, and artists while others are drug dealers, druggies, prostitutes, and those that live a life of destruction. Why is this? I believe that this game we call life is that of a huge roadmap, that of which you can go east or west, and north or south. No matter what direction we go, it is relative on the Realization of Reality of who we are.

For me, it took several years to grip who I really was. Why was I the one to be handicap? Why was I the one to be in a wheelchair? Why was I the one that has to depend on others for 95% of my needs? All the questions I asked at a young age. When I was about 17, that roadmap of life was placed in front of me and I had to realize the reality of who I was. I realized that I had a purpose, a responsibility, and a job to do to be the best that I could be. I came to terms that I was who I was because……I could handle it. That left me with a choice, which direction would I go. I choose to take the path of positivity and drive, instead of the road of helplessness and pity. I choose and still ride that difficult road, filled with the rough and bumping roads of obstacles, daring me to go off path. I’ve been blessed with a great support system throughout my years and I thank them for helping me stay on course.

If there is one thing I’ve learned over the years is that, Everyone, is important and has a purpose. But (and yes there is a but), it is up to you to figure out what way you will go. The Realization of the Reality, in my opinion, is one of the most important aspects of life. Figuring out and understanding who you are is half the battle, then you have to decide your direction. Who are you and what way will you go?

Much Love!

Positivity Is Contagious

Wow…. It’s been forever since I’ve written, I think it’s time to get back at. Hopefully, I can get back to the things that matter to me most, reaching out to people, often strangers, as well as those who know me, and give them words that will empower, inspire, and give guidance. If you’re ready… Leggggo!!

Lately I have really been understanding the power of Positivity. Anyone and everyone can be positive, it’s easy, but you have to Live Positivity. I meet a ton of people for various reasons, sports, poker, my disability, etc, and 90% of them have absolutely no idea what life is about. The majority of that 90% focus on the negatives of his/her life and that tremendously hinders them from overcoming the obstacles of their life and prevents them from being a productive individual. If people let the occasional “I can’t, I don’t have, I’m not” statements to fill your mind and consume your life, you will, without a doubt, struggle with your day-to-day life.

When you think of Life, in reality, it’s a huge game. Like with any game, you have to know how to play. People lose the game of life every single day, why….because they don’t know how to play the game. Not respecting the game and letting the negatives dictate the way you play the game, will ultimately defeat you.

Everyone, no matter who you are, has positives within their life that they can use to travel through this very important game we all play. By living in Positivity, you allow nothing to get the best of you and nothing to get in your way. Yes, everyone has “those days” when life isn’t easy or events turn everything upside down, but turning those “I can’t, I don’t have, I’m not” statements into “I can, I have and I am”, will not only give you a path to overcome but an entirely different outlook on life….. Your Game!

Focus on Positivity, eliminate negativity and I Guarantee your game will change.

Be well people!

Today is my birthday…

Today is my birthday, my 26^th birthday! After what my family and I have been through over that last 2 months, this birthday is meaning a little bit more this year. Most of you know what has taken place, but for those of you that don’t, here’s a shortened version…..

I went into the hospital on January 4th with pneumonia. I then had an allergic reaction to some medicine and sent to ICU because I really couldn’t breathe and was wearing my bipap breathing mask all day to breathe. Then I had major complications because I didn’t have the strength because of my Muscular Dystrophy) to cough and get the stuff out of my lungs, so I had to have a tracheotomy, and have a trach put in. Soooooo, after 29 days in the hospital, I finally got to come home. With the trach now, I am on a ventilator at night, and I am trying to learn how to eat and drink all over again. I went through some scary times, and I’ll be honest, a few of those times I didn’t think I was going to make it….it bout got me, but God helped me one more time.

Over the past couple months, I have learned more about a life’s lesson that I thought I knew everything about and that I thought I had a tight grasp on. That lesson is….Never take things for granted.

While I was sick, there were many days and nights that were dark, low, and gloomy, in which “not-so-good” thoughts crept in my head. This is when; the things that I now know mean the most, kicked in. When I was at my lowest point, my family, friends, and Gods good grace became my backbone and helped me pull through.

A lot of times, we let things cloud our vision of what really matters the most. So, today on my birthday, I am not worried about getting gifts, because I have everything I need!

Thankful for a chance

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I’d have my next post be about something I was thankful for. Even though I am thankful for everything, I am thankful for my new friends….

Often times when people see me and meet me, they hesitate (very understandable) because of my physical appearance. Let’s face it, I am small, I look a little different, I talk a little different, and I might do things a little different, so people, most of time, don’t give me a chance, whether it be socially or occupationally.

Over the last few months, I have had the opportunity to make some new friends. Linda Lyon – who is the principal of Gateway Education Center, a school which serves children with disabilities from birth to age 22 and a close friend, explained that the school’s Infant/Toddler Program was interested in having a website. This program is operated by the Greensboro Cerebral Palsy Association which is a part of the United Way, so a website would be a great way to reach out to people. My name was given to the GCPA as someone who could make the website happen.

After Linda had discussions about me with the GCPA, I was introduced to two board members Dan McAlister and Sally Cone. It was obvious in our first meeting that they both had their reservations about me as the one to develop the program’s website. I had no experience, had never designed or published a website, but I was willing to learn. All I wanted was a chance.

I am thankful to say that I was given that chance. I am also happy to say that I am designer and webmaster of the GCPA’s Infant/Toddler website! Please visit the website at http://www.gatewayearlyintervention.org

I want to thank my new friends Dan McAlister and Sally Cone for giving me a chance. They both had faith in me and my abilities – not my disabilities…….that’s what friends do.

I am back in business!

I apologize for not blogging in the last while, but I have been quite sick……NO I DID NOT HAVE H1N1

For the last 2 weeks, I have had bad chest congestion (probably pneumonia) that I was battling. I went to the doctor and got a 400mg antibiotic, a steriod breathing treatment along with a regular breathing treatment. The doctor did not want to send me to the hospital, so I had to fight it from home. So, for the last 2 weeks, I have been getting chest therapy every 4 hours and the breathing treatments.

What my be just a common cold for a “normal” person can be dangerous for someone with a muscle disease. Whereas everyone else can easily cough and clear their lungs, I don’t have the strength to cough hard enough. This makes for a loooooong process. I have to endure countless days of chest therapy (which kills my ribs!), weakened coughing, and difficulty breathing. Even though all of those are bad, it was not the worst part.

The worst part of being sick was the frustration. I wasn’t frustrated because I was sick, I was frustrated because, why can’t I cough hard enough? Why can’t I get better within a few days? Why am I so tired and give out? That’s Frustrating!

One thing I have learned over the years of ups and downs is that I may not be physically strong, but I am, and have to be  mentally strong! Being mentally strong is what allowed me to fight for 2 weeks and get well. I had to push all the frustration to the side and focus on the goal, which was to get better every day. If I were to have let the frustration consume me, not only would I still be sick, the sickness would get me.

I have regained the majority of my strength back and back to my normal schedule. It was a long 2 weeks, but I made it!

I am human. I was scared. But, I Will NOT BE DEFEATED……..and neither should you!

Are you listening??

So it’s been about a week since my last post………..yes, I did it like that for a reason. I wanted to see how many people, for one, was reading the blog; and two, would ask me when the next one would come out. The main reason I waited is to make sure that people were understanding/listening to what I was saying…..not just reading/hearing me.

I often go places, talk with people, and they all hear what I have to say, but I want more. I want people to listen to what I am saying. People often get them confused, but there is a huge difference between hearing and listening to someone. Hearing is simple, it’s nonconfrontational, it’s easy. Listening on the other hand, is much different. It’s uneasy, it’s confrontational, it’s uncomfortable, and therefore, people don’t do it!

Everyone has problems, most have issues. A lot of times people have problems and issues with each other.  Whether it is something like race, religion and war, or something as small as someone’s favorite sports team, when people are passionate about something, problems and issues arise. Each time the easy solution is to talk about it. Easy right? Yes, it’s easy, that is if you can do it.

All people can talk about his/her problems and issues that they have, but they often forget that this is a two-part solution. It is easy to talk, but more importantly can they listen. In order for solutions, listening is essential. Understanding the opinions, feelings, and problems of other is the only way. So, if you are having problems and issues in your life, talk about it….but don’t forget to listen.

If people are just reading my blog, I am wasting my time. From the feedback I have received…….. I am happy to know that people are Listening….. Thank You.

Chilling words…

It’s been a few days since my last post. Nothing much has changed in my life, just being thankful for each day and making the most of every minute.

If I needed something else to remind me of that, I certainly got it today…… I found out today that a friend from high school’s humvee was hit by a rocket propelled grenade in Afghanistan this weekend. At least one guy in the car died but my friend survived with some serious injuries, including a broken arm.  Please pray for my friend and his family. This is the first individual that I know that has been directly effected and injured in the war.

I will be the first to admit, that when I read about or see on TV of service men and women being injured or killed in the war, there is an initial shock and sadness, but those feelings are quickly gone as the happenings our own lives come back to the forefront. Now with my friend going down, there is an entirely different feeling. There is a sense of chill, a sickeningfeeling in the pit of my stomach, to honestly realize that these service men and women are fighting (and some dying) for my freedom…..for me.

Looking back at my life, it’s not that bad. I owe it to these men and women to make the very most of each and every day.

It is not hard to find someone who has a harder life than you.