Thought for Today: Two Football Stories
There were two stories in the news this week. Both were interesting, to me, on their own merits. But, when you intersect them it becomes even more interesting. My thoughts took me to the first story. About newly minted Cleveland Browns wide receiver Damon Sheehy-Giuseppe. His was a fascinating story of overcoming adversity. Homeless at one time, unable to afford college, left school to figure out his options. He uses the last of his money to train for football then uses his "resourcefulness" to figure out away to get invited to tryout for the Cleveland Browns. Basically he lied; but it served him well because he tried out and did get a spot on the team. Then the story goes, during a punt return he rushes for 87 yards to a touchdown. Giving Odel Beckham Junior a run as the breakout star of the team because of his talent. Truly fascinating story.
But then there is another story of, Shai Werts, a young man who is stopped for speeding then taken to jail because the police mistake the bird poop on the top of his car for cocaine. The young man handles himself with maturity and respectfully tells the police that he plays football and questions why he would jeopardize his status as a Quarterback with Georgia Southern for drugs. The unfortunate and sad end to the story is that the police officers opt to believe the faulty test rather than trust a young man who (it was later confirmed) was telling the truth. Shai Werts is taken to jail where he spends the night, suspended from playing ball (until the situation is legally addressed), and has to financially and emotionally deal with the unpleasantries of being falsely accused when he was only speeding.
I'm not really weighing in on these stories because I believe that can be handled by professionals. And in the grand scheme of things my opinion is just that an opinion. But, I would like to suggest that there is a message being communicated if a lie lands you in front of decision makers who can place you in a position where your talent is now showcased in front of the world and the truth lands you in jail.
But then there is another story of, Shai Werts, a young man who is stopped for speeding then taken to jail because the police mistake the bird poop on the top of his car for cocaine. The young man handles himself with maturity and respectfully tells the police that he plays football and questions why he would jeopardize his status as a Quarterback with Georgia Southern for drugs. The unfortunate and sad end to the story is that the police officers opt to believe the faulty test rather than trust a young man who (it was later confirmed) was telling the truth. Shai Werts is taken to jail where he spends the night, suspended from playing ball (until the situation is legally addressed), and has to financially and emotionally deal with the unpleasantries of being falsely accused when he was only speeding.
I'm not really weighing in on these stories because I believe that can be handled by professionals. And in the grand scheme of things my opinion is just that an opinion. But, I would like to suggest that there is a message being communicated if a lie lands you in front of decision makers who can place you in a position where your talent is now showcased in front of the world and the truth lands you in jail.
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