The unbeaten opponent...

Time has a way of letting us know when the end is near. We fight it because we hold on so much to the victories of yesteryear, hoping to get that one last time in the spotlight, or to drink one last time from the cup of victory. I remember watching such legends as Hakeem Olajuwon flailing as a Toronto Raptor, or Karl Malone when he became a Los Angeles Laker, and even more on a local level when I got to see Michael Jordan busting his chin on the court while leading a very young and immature Washington Wizards team. It is always painful to see our favorite legends limp into the sunset in their quest for glory, but I have to say I was pleased to hear that Kobe Bean Bryant announced in the Players Tribune that he's given his all to the sport of basketball and can't give any more.

As he prepares for his retirement this season, I always viewed Bryant as the closest model to MJ, from mannerisms to his cutthroat approach to how he played with teammates, and not always to the Lakers' benefit. Bryant has fought injuries and a team that is in clear rebuilding, but credit to him for coming to the realization that many analysts have seen: there will be no more great moments for him in purple and gold. It is a display of humility for him to admit that he has no more to spend on the court.

The old saying goes, "Father Time is undefeated," and it's for reason. There comes a time in our lives in which we have to realize that we must change. What may have worked yesterday doesn't work today, and if we don't come to that understanding through prayer and wisdom, time and opportunity will pass us by. The late Myles Munroe once said that "the graveyard is littered with books not written". I believe that to be true because we are so desperate to hold on to the past and unwilling to let go and step out in faith.

There is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to laugh and a time to cry. I'm sure you've heard that before, whether it was in Ecclesiastes or in the famous song, and the question is: when do you realize that it's your time? Because once it's gone, you can never get it back.

So you're not good enough...?

Above is the following analysis for then Davidson combo guard Stephen Curry prior to him being drafted in the NBA. As a matter of fact, it was the first point that scared the then-GM of the Minnesota Timberwolves David Kahn from drafting him when he instead chose two point guards ahead of Curry. While Ricky Rubio has emerged as a starting guard on a potential playoff team, the other, Johnny Flynn, is out of the league. And what happened to Mr. Curry, you may ask?

Well, that last point of him relying too much on his outside jump shot is one of the reasons he is the league's reigning MVP of the World Champion Golden State Warriors. Despite the doubts cast upon him by many that last year's title was a "fluke" (I'm looking at you Doc Rivers!) Curry has continued to defy the odds and has supplanted even LeBron James in the minds of many as the best player in the NBA. That said, if you just read the scouting report on Curry coming out of college you would think that he had no chance of being successful. He wasn't even offered a scholarship at his father's alma mater Virginia Tech, but did not allow that to deter him from reaching his goals. To this day he continues to demonstrate what one can do when they don't allow the views of others to get his way.

If you thought that report was harsh, take a look at this one...

"Very disingenuous — has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup.  Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them.  Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law — does not command respect from teammates and will always struggle to win a locker room . . . Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness — is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example.  Immature and has had issues with authority.  Not dependable.” 

Now I don't know what a "fake smile" has to do with being able to read a Cover-2 defense, but what I do know is that this was the scouting report about a quarterback facing his own questions about his ability to be a championship athlete at the highest level. Unlike Curry, he came in with a history of poor decisions (throwing a stolen laptop out of a window) and people wondered if he had the mental makeup that other great players of his ilk had...

It was Cam Newton, and the report was written by Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki. While many derided the report as racially motivated, Newton has taking his tremendous talent to the next level, and is largely considered the MVP of the league up until this point. Despite the naysayers, Newton continues to defy critics and in spite of some of his end zone antics (to which I respond, if you don't want to see him dance, don't let him score!) he has emerged as the unquestionable leader of the Carolina Panthers.

Curry and Newton are just two examples of what happens when people don't allow the views of others to impact their destiny. Whether it was Walt Disney (fired from his newspaper for having "no imagination) to Meryl Streep (called "too ugly" for the role in King Kong) you can't let what others think of you to get in your way. The only limit is in your mind, and the second you decide to remove those limits, watch how our life will change. Don't let the views and reports of others to limit your purpose in life. Besides, you never know when your paths will cross with someone who also hurdled over first impressions, no matter how wrong they were. Defy the odds!

Who are our rivals?

The final weekend of November has always been a special time for sports fans. Whether it's still recovering from Mom's Thanksgiving dinner, or exhausted from waking up at midnight to fight with millions of other shoppers on Black Friday, it becomes all worth it when you are able to sit on the couch and watch your favorite collegiate team take on their hated rival in what is billed "Rivalry Weekend." Growing up in Georgia this was always a great time for football fans in the south, as we would prepare to watch the Bulldogs take on the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech (or billed "The Nerds on North Avenue, but I digress), and each year the fans on both sides would revel in the opportunity to talk trash to each other, hoping to have a full year of bragging rights throughout. Even on the local levels, we used to see a lot of battles take place when the Warner Robins football squad would take on their hated rival Northside. It would lead to parking lot fights which would extend onto the gridiron. Some call it passion, I always questioned the mindset of some of these people. I remember the famous story of Harvey Updyke Jr., who poisoned the iconic Toomer's Corner at Auburn University to show his love for the Alabama Crimson Tide. This was just one example of how angry people allow simple allegiances to carry their actions.

Rivalries have existed since the dawn of time. Israelis-Palestine, Christians vs. Rome, Republicans vs. Democrats, there have always been this extreme point of view which tears away at our very fabric as human beings in our need for companionship. What has happened in today's society is a need to seek companionship on the basis that "you must always agree with my point of view, and anyone who disagrees is the enemy." My father always says to me, "you can disagree as long as you are not disagreeable." That's a big difference in how we should treat one another.

We have seen the rhetoric spill over from our sports teams into the political realm. We have allowed an agenda-based media to direct the attention from unity to black vs. white. It has corrupted our thinking to the point where family members can't even come together at the dinner table without turning into a battle of philosophical differences. The question is, do we really know our enemy?

The "Art of War" teaches that concept, that we should 'know thy enemy.' However, we believe that our enemy wears the colors of a different college, or aligns themselves with a different party affiliation, or even has a different skin pigmentation. Our enemy is one that is not of flesh, but one in spirit. It is an enemy who's primary purpose is to destroy us because he knows his time is coming to an end, and we need to recognize that instead of allowing hate to be directed toward our fellow man.

The sooner we understand that there is a true enemy out there that wants nothing more than to prevent us from reaching our destiny in God, the sooner we must submit ourselves to God in order to have the power to resist the enemy's subtle plans. Life is not a game, and the opponent that designs himself to stand in our way can, and will be beaten.

What is Power?

They say that the love of money is the root of all evil, then what is the fear of losing it? Was that the primary decision in former University of Missouri president Tim Wolfe stepping down in the wake of pressure stemming from ignoring the signs of racial tension on the campus? Whether it was the regents pressuring Wolfe to resign (which he did) because it was in danger of losing up to $1 million had the football team skipped its game on Saturday or not, the point is that change had to come. The students, and more specifically, the football players, had enough of being looked upon as nothing more than weekend gladiators who entertained the Columbia faithful. They wanted their voices to be heard and went to an extreme that forced the administration to listen.

One can debate whether or not if they had a perfect record would this protest even have taken place, the point is that there was a line that these young men felt had been crossed by the actions of a heinous few. It drove one young man to declare a hunger strike until changes were made, and more players began to chime in. It led to a campus-wide protest that led to the president's ouster. However, it wasn't just the fact that these protests have changed the face of the campus, it had demonstrated that in this day and age, taking a stand for justice is still an option.

Sports is an arena in which we cheer for our favorite teams and jeer our opponents, and once the clock hits 0:00 we are supposed to return to our reality. There comes a point and time in which the battles that athletes face isn't on the gridiron, court, or diamond, but it's in society. If nothing else all athletes should take a look at what took place in Columbia and realize that they can speak out. We've seen it in the NFL with the stand against domestic violence, and to see it on a major collegiate football power demonstrates courage and sacrifice for the greater good.

This wasn't about money, or gaining more power, but it was about making a difference at any cost.

We're all going to go through it one day...

A few years ago, while Lamar Odom was being interviewed by CBS' Ken Berger, he was asked about how he was able to overcome dealing with such adversity. Here was Odom's response to Berger:

"Jesus went through a lot," he said. "This is easy for me, you know what I'm saying? Basketball?"

"He didn't have your handle," I said.

Odom appreciated the joke, and didn't miss a beat.

"No, he didn't," he said with a smile. "No, he had his hands around the world. But we all go through a lot. We're all going to go through it one day."

Right now he's going through another difficult obstacle, and while no one knows what will happen, one thing is for sure, it's tough to see this happen to someone who has a well-known reputation for being one of the NBA's nicer guys. I've read his background of how he lost his mother at 12 and his son to sudden infant death syndrome, two years to the day after losing his grandmother, who had raised him during his early years. He persevered to become one of the league's best jack-of-all-trades players who was always in demand for his skills. 

This isn't about what took place in Nevada, or to bring condemnation on any of his previous decisions. It's about what he said in the interview. Like it or not, we are all going to have to go through it one day. The question is, what will you do when "it" happens?  The money, the skills, the accolades, none of that will help sustain you as a Christ-centered foundation rooted in God's Word. I don't know if Odom has a personal relationship with Jesus, but my prayer is that in whatever condition he's in, he will come to know Him. 

If there is one lesson to take from Lamar Odom's life, it's that being knocked down is only one part of the equation. The other part is how quickly we get back up. We are all rooting for him to get back up.

#PrayForLamar

A second chance to make a first impression...

Remember the last time someone gave you a second chance to get it right? It could be a boss, giving you a chance to re-submit that project, or the wife letting you stop sleeping on the couch after one too many nights out with the boys. Either way, you were very careful about what you said and did, desperate to change the perception, and at no time would you ever mention anything about "the incident" or give others a chance to do the same. Someone should have given that memo to Dallas Cowboys' defensive end Greg Hardy, who is set to return from a year-long suspension on Sunday against the New England Patriots.

Hardy, who was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013 after registering 15 sacks with the Carolina Panthers, spent 2014 on the Commissioner's Exempt List after his ex-girlfriend accused him of domestic violence and throwing her on a couch covered in guns during an altercation. The charges were dismissed when the accuser did not show up for the hearing. Whether guilty or not, Hardy has developed a reputation for being one of the league's most volatile players, and his recent comments in regards to his return Sunday did little to change those views. According to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News in an interview, Hardy responded to how long it would take for him to get back into his Pro Bowl shape with: "I hope I come out guns blazing."

Like it or not, life is about perception, and right now Hardy's is one of no contrition, as if his 'Kraken' persona will be enough to make people forget about past transgressions. Does he deserve a second chance? Absolutely, but when we've been forgiven we must do whatever is necessary to make it right. Now, I don't expect him to be a Rhodes Scholar, but at the very least he should be mindful of why he spent the past 19 games away from the gridiron. He should have a conversation with Michael Vick about how to take advantage of another opportunity to live out his dream, before it's taken away from him again, this time permanently.

The sacrifices we must make...

As I've learned in my Economics class, life is all about making rational choices once we realize we can't have our cake and eat it too. Should we really buy that luxury sedan when the kids need braces? What about taking that job that may give you a 25,000 dollar up-spike in salary yet move your family across the country? Is messing with that secretary during the weekend worth ruining 20 years of a great marriage? What are you willing to give up for complete piece of mind in the short term for the big picture?

Recently New York Yankees' pitcher CC Sabathia decided to make his own rational choice when he checked himself into a rehabilitation facility for alcohol on Monday, the day before his team was scheduled to take on the Houston Astros in the AL Wild Card game, which they were eliminated from as of yesterday. There were numerous reports of Sabathia showing up inebriated at the Yankee clubhouse on Friday, unable to notice reporters and asking teammates to "take a sip" of a brown liquid in a paper cup during a workout. He was then ushered out of the building and into a cab by another teammate. Other reports were that he arranged for the "magnums of champagne" that were drank in the clubhouse celebration of Alex Rodriguez's 3000th hit. He went to management and asked them for help with his alcohol problem.

This goes beyond baseball, this is about life, and credit Sabathia for doing what was best for he and his family. Would his presence have made a difference in the Yankees' quest for another title? Should it matter? He could've just waited until after the playoffs, but he focused on the long term healing and didn't allow the pressure of being there in the lights of October to get in the way. Can we honestly saw we can make the same choice? Thoughts and prayers to Sabathia that he receives the healing and peace he needs in his life, and that he overcomes an opponent that can't be beaten with a 95 mph fastball: his inner demons.

Who are our enemies?

The history of sports has been littered with feuds between athletes and the press. Whether it was former New York Met Bobby Bonilla threatening to fight a reporter outside a locker room, or the infamous Jim Rome-Jim Everett "fight" (to this day I still think that was staged) the relationships between the stars who play the sport vs. the ones who cover it to make a living has always had this various shades of grey that escalate to the surface whenever someone feels they have been misquoted, or in the case of ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, called a straight-up liar.

Now, I don't know Mr. Smith personally, but I listen to his show 'First Take' as well as his show on Mad Dog Radio Sirius XM on a daily basis. He has been known to express his statements with a wide range of emotions, whether it's on the performance of athletes or on social issues such as the Black Lives Matter movement. He doesn't shy away from saying what he feels is on his mind. However, I believe that what he said on today's episode of 'First Take' crossed a barrier from which it may be challenging to recover.

By now we've all heard the rhetoric of his report that sources close to Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant mention that at the end of this upcoming NBA season he was "considering" signing as a free agent in Los Angeles as his preferred destination, along with Miami and Washington DC. Durant responded by saying that none of his friends and family spoke to Smith, and closed it by saying he was a liar. Smith, who has had feuds with NBA stars before, most notably Stephon Marbury during his days with the New York Knicks, didn't take too kindly to what was said and responded thusly...

Let's look at this from three points of view: Durant, Smith, and then the proper way to respond. Kevin Durant has profoundly expressed his faith in Jesus Christ for years, and was lauded by many for how he carried himself on and off the court for athletic brilliance as well as being a stand-up guy. Granted, he may have been perturbed at what was mentioned, but to go out and brand Mr. Smith as 'he's lying' is to question the man's credibility, which is the foundation for his career as a journalist. It's one thing to question a statement, but what Durant said went further than that, and in essence went after the integrity of Smith's work. He is engaging himself in a battle with a presence that he just can't win, go back to what happened during All-Star Weekend earlier this year. His expletive-laced rant at the media regarding his former coach Scott Brooks' job status was not the proper way to handle the situation. If we claim Christ as the head of our lives, then our speech should not be coarse to the point where it makes non-believers question us. A simple prepared statement would've prevented this issue from escalating.

Now to Mr. Smith. There is a fine line between professionalism and personal accountability, and making a statement to challenge KD was unprofessional at worst. I know he has also in the past claimed a relationship with Christ as well, and even praised Durant's character on the show, yet he apparently has forgotten what the true term 'enemy' really means. It is described as someone who opposes your lifestyle, and while certain temptations (money, power, success) can be viewed as the opposition, our true enemy is Satan. Smith was wrong in taking this approach, and the Bible tells us to strive to live in brotherly love with one another. Durant isn't his enemy, just a person that sees things from a different point of view.

When two people disagree and claim Christ as the center of their lives, they should look to solve it internally, not through the blogosphere or on national television. It creates unnecessary divisions and worse, affects our witness. I pray that they will come together in private and resolve this manner quickly. Also, we must be careful who we call our enemies. We don't wrestle flesh and blood, and there's nothing more that our true enemy would love nothing more than to let a simple misunderstanding create a lifetime of schisms.

If I were commissioner...

As the 2015 baseball season comes to a close, there are a myriad of storylines that one would look forward to as the postseason approaches (not for me though, as I'll be spending October watching the DVD of the Atlanta Braves' 20th Anniversary of their only championship). The Amazin' Mets return to the playoffs, albeit at the expense of the vastly underachieving Washington Fightin' Nationals, our neighbors to the north finally get to experience the thrill of a postseason series for the first time since "In Living Color" graced our television screens, and the Chicago Cubs will yet again try to get rid of the Steve Bartman curse.

As the chase for October is one of the great thrills a fan can watch, there is this overwhelming feeling that baseball has lost the majority of the American viewing audience. Granted, the advent of the second wild card has given fan bases of average teams another reason to turn away from football for at least yet another Sunday, but the dwindling numbers are threatening to make baseball as well known as "World Series of Poker" re-runs on ESPN2. Credit to new commissioner Rob Manfred who is working hard to make the sport more fan-friendly, not to mention quicker, but in this "gotta-have-it-now" society, I felt the need to help him make his job a bit easier.

So, without further ado, here is what I believe needs to happen on my first day as commissioner of MLB (drumroll please...)

1. Drop the season to 150 games. Face it, the season drags on way too long, and who really needs to see Red Sox-Yankees for 19 games a year (more on that in a bit)? The expanded playoffs pushes the postseason too close to "The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" episode. Get back the month of September and push up the season finale the week after Labor Day. Statistics don't carry the same weight they once did, except for historians who have nothing better to do with their time.

2. Add a pitch clock. This was proposed in the minor leagues earlier this year, but it needs to finally make its way towards the big stage. A 15-second pitch clock would help move the game along, and eliminate those unnecessary time outs. A little added anticipation goes a long way.

3. (and this one should be fun) Two words: Radical Realignment. This sport is on the path towards becoming more regionalized, so why not go all the way with the process? One thing this sport has going for it is it's ability to have rivalries dominate during interleague play, yet take it one step further. Since the American and National Leagues no longer have the same meaning (no more league presidents, Milwaukee and Houston switching leagues), you could put the following into a new series of division to add more intrigue.

So I present the following:

American League
EAST: Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, Pirates
ATLANTIC: Orioles, Nationals, Braves, Rays, Marlins
NORTH: Blue Jays, Tigers, Indians, Reds, Brewers

National League
CENTRAL: Cubs, White Sox, Cardinals, Royals, Twins
MIDWEST: Rockies, Astros, Rangers, Diamondbacks, Padres
PACIFIC: Dodgers, Angels, Giants, Athletics, Mariners

Imagine a Mets-Yankees series in late September with a playoff berth on the line, or Dodgers-Angels...

4. Which brings me to the last change...everyone gets the DH
5. Oh, and reinstate Pete Rose, enough is enough.

Friday Night Fights

Friday nights across America are filled with the sounds of cheers from fans all over as their favorite high school teams meet on the gridiron in spirited competition. Young athletes compete against their arch rivals to conclude their week, with some dreaming of the day they can play on the collegiate level, or in the case of 1.2%, in the pros.  While high school football can bring a level of passion and excitement among adolescents, when emotions run high it can also lead to everlasting pain, which is what took place a few weeks ago in San Antonio.

The photo above highlights referee Robert Watts, who was blindsided in an attack by two players from John Jay High School. Michael Moreno and Victor Rojas were given instructions by an assistant coach to hit the referee after he missed some calls and, according to the players, used racial slurs directly towards them. The assistant coach, Mack Breed, has been placed on administrative leave. The players are now suspended from the football team, with possible assault charges pending.

This goes beyond whether or not Breed ordered the "Code Red" (go watch "A Few Good Men" for that reference), and it's not about whether or not the referee actually used any epithets. This is about accountability, plain and simple. As a former athlete, I understand that you must follow the direction of the coaches, but only when it's in the best interests of the team. How is any of what these young men have done justified? It is not, and ultimately, the decision to carry out the attack rests on them.

Whether it's government, our occupations, or even with coaches, our first and foremost obligation is to do what is right and just. We are to obey the precepts of God above those of man, and in this instance, there is an accountability that must be upheld, and it is something that the athletes have to comes to understand.

When it comes to making the tough choices in times of high emotion, it is the foundation on what we believe in that will force us to make the right decision, or else.

Who is to blame?

This time of year is a time of great anticipation into America's great pastime, and it's football (no apologies to baseball fans, in 10 years it'll be a niche sport that will battle hockey for ratings). Whether it's parents getting their children ready for their Pop Warner games, to the NFL fantasy drafts that are being conducted as we speak, everyone is excited for the action to begin on the gridiron. No more so do we see the passion of the sport than on the collegiate level, where you can see more than 100,000 fans fill the seats on any given Saturday. Students are displaying the colors of their alma mater with pride, thinking that this is their season to finally break through and win it all. In Champagne, Illinois, however, those students are simply wondering who will be the head on the sidelines after the news broke that former football head coach Tim Beckham was fired this afternoon among allegations that he mistreated former Illini offensive lineman Simon Cvijanoic. 

Once other former players informed the Chicago Tribune that Cvijanoic's claims are true, and the university performed an internal investigation, they released their coach of three years a week before the season starts against Kent State. Granted, the Athletic Director would've been justified in releasing Beckham after comprising a 12-25 record, but once these claims were released, they had no other choice. Cvijanoic stated that when he sustained injuries in 2013 & 2014 that Beckham urged him to continue playing, even after dealing with psychological problems due to shoulder and knee injuries that ended his career. He also mentioned being pushed to play after tearing his labrum, with Beckham's offensive line coahc telling Cvijanoic that the injuries were in his head.

This isn't about wins and losses, and forget about scholarships, this is about a person's livelihood vs. the old adage of "win at all costs." The latter mentality is what led former Ohio State Buckeyes coach Woody Hayes to hit a player during a game, or current Washington State coach Mike Leach to get fired in 2009 after claims that he mistreated a player while at Texas Tech. Coaches who are being paid top dollar are in this quandary of doing the right thing by their players vs. getting them out there, healthy or no, to get that win against Rival U. We see it all the time, a coach allowing players who have questionable actions being allowed to play, but this is on a completely different level. This is short-sighted thinking at worst, treating the player more as a commodity and less as an individual. 

Parents entrust their children to these coaches to attend their program with the belief that they will train up their child to become successful on and off the field. These players should not feel as if they are unable to express their challenges for fear of not being allowed to play the game their love. We have seen some coaches show compassion in these types of situations, but then this is the opposite end of the spectrum, in which the seriousness of an ailment goes beyond a simple "tape him up." 

We teach children to be tough and handle pain, but there is also a time to use discretion and wisdom to deal with a delicate injury. Coaches must understand that when left untreated, the greatest harm to a student-athlete isn't the physical pain, it's the mental scars that remain long after they hang up the helmet. 

A penny saved...

Ever watch the ESPN 30 for 30 series "Broke"? It documents the lives of former NFL athletes such as Bernie Kosar and Andre Rison among others, and how their fortunes rapidly disappeared. While Kosar's case was somewhat unique given that it was his family taking advantage of his finances, many other athletes find themselves filing Chapter 11 because of a lack of discipline. Jalen Rose explains it much better than I could:

T

Which is why the story of Detroit Lions Wide Receiver Ryan Broyles has become so refreshing. Broyles, who has been with the Lions since 2012, has suffered a myriad of injuries that has threatened his career but he is thinking ahead. According to an article in ESPN, Broyles and his wife made the decision that they are budgeting themselves to live on $60,000 a year. Now, I know what you're thinking. "He makes $3.6 million! Of course it's easy for him to live on that when he has so much to save."

Well, considering that he is going into his last season of his rookie contract, and add on to the fact that he hasn't exactly lit up the league, he may be looking at his last contract in the NFL, which stands for "Not For Long" if you haven't lived up to expectations. Despite having their first child recently, Broyles' mindset going into this year is not about only 2015, but beyond. He says he has the mind of a "businessman" and that will serve he and his family well in the future.

Why can't we have that same approach when it comes to handling our resources? We often quote Matt. 6:24 "You cannot serve both God and money. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despite the other."  We got to the altar asking God for provision yet not taking care of what He's already given us. We can't get to church fast enough when a prophet gives the Word, hoping to receive a prophecy that says in essence, "We're about to strike it rich! Here comes the blessing." We discussed maturity yesterday, and a benchmark of maturity is understanding the purpose of being a good steward of what God has already given us, for He will trust us with more if we prove ourselves faithful.

I remember watching a television series "The Lottery Ruined My Life," and it is a cautionary tale of what happens when the focus becomes so much on the material that the mental isn't strong enough to handle it. We can't ask God for blessings if we don't have the spiritual maturity to handle them. Broyles is displaying the type of discipline to see that it's not just about today, it's about being prepared for tomorrow, for a good steward always thinks about the future. 

Cam and Geno

NFL Summer Camps are always a time of bonding, with anticipation of a new season waiting in the wings as teammates are brought back together to re-acclimate themselves to the gridiron. It creates an atmosphere of camaraderie that is unlike any other in sports, as the grind of two-a-days bring togetherness and cooperation...

...So why on earth are all of these teams fighting each other?

The past few days we have seen the Washington Redskins and Houston Texans get into a fracas at a scrimmage that the teams had to be separated to different practice fields. That is almost expected nowadays, as the push comes to shove when teams are anxious to make contact with anyone in a helmet and pads. However, what happened yesterday and earlier today is on a different level, as these rumbles involve quarterbacks.

Let's start in Carolina, where Panthers franchise quarterback Cam Newton and cornerback Josh Norman engaged in fisticuffs after Newton threw an interception and Norman began to talk back. Although no one was hurt and the two made amends quickly, questions about Newton's growth have been put into question.

Speaking of lack of growth, New York Jets QB Geno Smith has been a lightning rod of controversy since arriving in Gotham for his immature antics. Whether it's missing practice due to attending a movie showing or displaying a slew of outbursts after throwing another interception, Smith has shown that he has yet to grasp the size of the enormous responsibility of the most important position in sports. This cumulated today as now former teammate Ik Enemkpali, who reportedly "sucker punched" Smith in the Jets locker room over an alleged dispute over money. Smith is out 6-10 weeks and an already fragile season for the Jets is even more in doubt.

Even though there have been quarterbacks in fights before (Roger Staubach/Clint Long come to mind) no one ever challenged the pedigree of "Captain Comeback." Newton and Smith came into the league with a shadow cast over them for the way they carried themselves before taking a snap, and when they are playing a position in which the most responsibility is placed upon them, it creates even more hesitation as to trust them to make the wisest decisions to lead their teams to victory. Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter and former NFL Front Office executive Louis Riddick came out and mentioned that these incidents show a lack of leadership, and that is where the responsibility lies, on the guys who wear the red jerseys in practice.

They are expected to rise above the fray, even when everything else around them is breaking down. Teams should expect their leaders in the huddle to be the epicenter of maturity and wisdom, and had these quarterbacks demonstrated the qualities that comes with the position, it never escalates to this situation. Owners who spend millions upon these players trust that they will make the right decisions, and today we know at least two of them who are shaking their heads.

I remember something my father always tells me regarding leadership, "If you are going somewhere and no one is following, all you're doing is taking a walk." Right now that walk in Charlotte and New York must be quite lonely.

When reality gets crossed...

Even as a child I knew that when I was watching a professional wrestling match that it was athletic theater, popularly defined these days as "Sports Entertainment." The competitors who faced off in the squared circle certainly knew how to entertain an audience with every move, and every storyline was designed to keep up enthralled. Many men even call it their very own soap opera, with anticipation of each dramatic episode keeping them on the edge of their seats. That said, there are those times in which those in attendance, and sometimes at home, believe that they are as much a part of the action as those who compete. Just go onto any blog site whenever an episode of WWE's "Monday Night Raw" has concluded, and you will read the opinions of many an armchair booker (booker is a term for someone who writes the wrestling storylines) who thinks they can create a better story, if only they had the chance. The vitriol becomes so intense that it turns into personal attacks, and people confuse fantasy with reality.

This confusion took place in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on Sunday when WWE wrestler Roman Reigns was attacked by a fan during his match. According to police, the fan used a gold-plated briefcase to throw it into the ring, hitting Reigns in the process. Fortunately no one was hurt and Reigns was able to finish the match, but the fan was removed from the arena and as a result was banned from all future wrestling shows.

Although the fan issued an apology and no charges were filed, what is interesting to note is that when other fans saw the briefcase, they chanted for the man to throw the briefcase in the ring. This is a symptom of a larger problem, in which people tend to listen to the voice of what's popular as opposed to what is right. I often tell my students what is mentioned in Proverbs 1:10 "My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!"


Go back to a time in which you listened to the wrong people, and the resulting consequences of those actions. What if you had decided "You know what? Thanks but no thanks," to the people who tried to steer you in the wrong direction? Are you listening to those voices even today? Innovation is not saying yes to every idea that comes along, but it's being able to say "No." It shows focus and determination to do what is best, and is a benchmark of maturity.

However, I'd have to question the maturity of a man who decided to spend his time painting a briefcase gold in the first place...

Just when you think you have all the answers...

Roderick Toombs, better known around the world as "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, passed away last week at age 61 of cardiac arrest. I remember watching him from his days as a wrestler on the National Wrestling Alliance circuit, with his classic "dog collar" match against Greg Valentine, before he put on the kilt and hosted the WWF-themed talk show "Piper's Pit." His segments were always entertaining, most notably when he hit Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka with a coconut.

He was the ultimate heel to Hulk Hogan's All-American "good-guy" image (obviously this was before Hogan's recent comments) and Piper just knew how to rile up a crowd with his promos on the microphone. I used to loathe Piper as a child watching wrestling every week, hoping for the day when he got his comeuppance. As time went on, my respect for him grew even more when he parlayed his skills outside of the ring in the John Carpenter film "They Live." He had such range as a character that when he returned as a face I couldn't help but cheer for him. While he never won the World Championship, he never had to. He always had an audience and made himself into a legend in the industry and out of it.

Piper had an ability to keep people intrigued in what was coming next out of his mouth, and he represented the type of person that we always need in our circle: the one who has no problem telling us like it is. The person that is going to tell you the truth without concern about feelings, even if the words are a bit harsh. People looked at Piper as the ultimate instigator, the one that could create drama with just a few words. Just like a writer with the stroke of a pen, Piper's work on the microphone was a work of art, and in our lives we need someone who has the ability to call it as they see it. Do you have someone who always keeps you on your toes, that changes the environment in the room upon their mere presence?

Just like Piper, we need to always have someone that changes the questions when we think we have all the answers.

An NFL Potpourri...

As we near closer to the 2015 NFL training camps, a bevy of stories came out today, so we're going to highlight all of them in brief...

From the world of Deflategate or "the big-story-that-should've-never-been-a-big-story" Commissioner Roger Goodell upheld the 4 game suspension of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady due to using deflated balls during the 2015 AFC Championship Game this past January. The straw that broke the camel's back was based on a report that Brady destroyed his cell phone which contained the text messages for the two assistants on the team to ensure that the balls were deflated. Brady plans to sue and the Players' Association will file an appeal.

Although the league has no subpoena power to obtain the phone records, the fact that he continues to deny that this occurred through what appears to be a cover-up proves an old adage: Shun the very appearance of evil. It's the equivalent of the kid who ate his mother's cookies when told not to and then tries to throw away the plate when she asks "who did it?" Guilty or not, there is no better freedom of the mind and soul than to just confess our sins. Had he just confessed when the report first came out and apologized, more than likely his preparation would be for the first Thursday night of the season against Pittsburgh, not against the NFL in a court of law.

Last week we discussed the image of women in male-dominated sports and how it is beginning to change. Today we have seen yet another barrier broken as Jen Welter, who played professional football in an indoor league, was hired to work with the Arizona Cardinals inside linebackers corps as a preseason intern coach, the first female coach in league history.

"The heart factor, the intelligent factor, being the person with the motor that will never quit factor," Welter said at a news conference earlier this afternoon, "you can overcome any limitation."

Overcoming limitations is what we should be always strive to do, history is never accomplished by those who decide comfort makes a better home. Congratulations to Welter and hopefully this is an encouragement to the next person who is told "You can't do it!"



From the "what happens in the locker room stays in the locker room" files, we have former New Orleans Saints LB Junior Galette, who was released last week among allegations of a domestic assault in 2013. He decided to air his grievances against his former teammates on Twitter, using his girlfriend's account to levy accusations such as Saints Head Coach Sean Payton is a drug addict, to former teammate Will Smith punching his wife. Multiple team sources revealed a rift between Galette and teammates, alleging that he got into fights in the locker room and was unwilling to train with them after signing his extension last year. (Visit Canal Street Chronicles if you want to see the NSFW tweets that he sent out.)

Whether these accusations are true or not, it shows the display of poor judgment that Galette has displayed. While grace should be extended and he shouldn't be blacklisted in spite of his actions, his next employer should have a serious heart-to-head talk with him and see if he is contrite. If not, buyer beware.

When is too much money not enough?

When you're new LA Clippers forward Josh Smith.

Smith, who has spent his career as one of the most enigmatic players in the league with his penchant to shoot ill-advised 3 pointers, decided to sign for the league's veteran minimum ($1.5 million) with the Clippers with the hopes of advancing to the NBA Finals. After a very mediocre stint in Detroit, he was let go by the Pistons and signed with the Rockets to join his longtime friend Dwight Howard. As a result, he reached the Western Conference Finals for the first time in his career, gaining respect around the league for realizing how to use his versatile talents to help a team win in the playoffs.

Now, we have seen many players (Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, and more recently David West) who have taken less in order to increase the talent level on the team with the hopes of winning a title. That is usually considered very selfless, and we as fans like to see when players decide to see the bigger picture of holding the Larry 'O Brien trophy instead of chasing the millions. However, in a recent interview with PBT, Smith decided to declare that maybe the sacrifice might have been a bit hasty:

"It wasn't about the money because of the Detroit situation. But at the end of the day, you know, I do have a family. So it is going to be a little harder on me this year. But I'm going to push through it and try to do long-term after this year. But I think, this year, focusing on doing something special with this group of guys - we have the opportunity to do something special. Right now, this is what I want to focus on."

OK, so while he is correct in that he will be making less, he is still getting paid from his Detroit contract. Many people liken these comments to the infamous statement from former guard Latrell Sprewell when he said that he "had a family to feed" and wouldn't accept a deal worth $14 million. Overall Smith is getting $6.4 million and even as he made the sacrifice, the comments come off as insensitive at worst. While I won't claim to know how his finances are being handled, it does appear that he is still not seeing the big picture, as if he wasn't informed about the high cost of living in LA compared to the tax-free life in Texas.

The most successful athletes must have a tunnel-like focus in order to make it to the top of the mountain, but sometimes that focus becomes so myopic that they forget that they have been blessed with a talent that only the top 2% can maintain. Children hit the hardwood in the cold winter nights, dreaming of making even the minimum that Smith is playing for this year with every shot they attempt. Even if he didn't mean to sound so close-minded, Josh Smith has shown that there's a better way to present your "woe-is-me" case, and that's not to present getting paid $1.5 million as being difficult, even before taxes.

Word of advice Josh, and I say this as an Atlanta Hawks fan who saw you shoot 30% from 3 point-land for 9 years, here's something you may want to check out the next time you start claiming you have it so bad:

When silence speaks volumes...

Earlier today the Los Angeles Lakers held a press conference to introduce three of their newest acquisitions during this off-season: Forward Brandon Bass, Center Roy Hibbert, and Guard Lou Williams, the latter being the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year. With the addition of 2nd overall pick D'Angelo Russell it appears that the Lakers are building changing their course after their worst two seasons in franchise history. Of course, everyone knows that the centerpiece of any chances for a Tinseltown revival rests upon the aging legs of superstar Kobe Bryant. So naturally it would appear that after the past few years the iconic leader of this franchise would be willing to quickly embrace the newest members of the purple and gold...

...as Lee Corso says, "Not so fast, my friends."

Now, it could be assumed that Mr. Bryant is away on vacation, which is what many an NBA player will do during this time of year, and certainly his right. Or, based on his newly christened teammates' reaction to the reporter's question in the video, it can also be assumed that this isn't what he imagined would be the way his career would finish: having to play with three guys he knows will not get him to a place he has frequented: the NBA Finals. It was reported that one of the reasons that prize free agent LaMarcus Aldridge turned down the Lakers was because that the meeting with Kobe and the Lakers brass did not go well, with the brass attempting to sell the star forward on the LA lifestyle and championship legacy, which Aldridge did not take to kindly to.

Regardless of the reasons, this speaks to a larger issue: does he have a responsibility to reach out to his new teammates? During the twilight of his career, is it really up to him to provide the olive branch to create any level of chemistry? We don't know if or when he will speak to them, but what is he supposed to say? "Welcome to the Lakers, now get me the ball and get out of the way?"

However, to look on the other side of the table, there comes a time when a star needs to step out of their comfort zone to do what is best for the organization that has done so much for him, and vice versa. This is an opportunity for Kobe to bring together a team that has been moved off course the past few years, and to change his reputation of being a me-first player who has alienated every star he's ever played with, from Shaq to Dwight to Gasol. Defenders of Kobe say that the blame should be on the players who left, but when you see this video, you have to question if the person who has really been the epicenter of the Lakers' problems has been the one who has been there all along.

A new image?

Back in 1973 Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the famous "Battle of the Sexes" tennis matchup in Houston, Texas. Despite rumors of match-fixing that later proved not to be true, it was a major stepping stone in women's sports gaining the respect of the largely-dominated male audience. So the next few decades saw a rise in the ranks of women's tennis, golf, basketball, and more recently, soccer as the U.S. Women's team won their now-record third World Cup championship earlier this month.

Although those accolades have received their proper mention in the sports pages, there is still this been this perception that "oh, it's just a women's sport, it still doesn't carry as much weight as the men." Many subscribers of that viewpoint mention the ratings and dollars that the men's sports bring in, but that underscores the underlying point that over the past few years we have seen women athletes make such great strides that now the question has become, "Can a woman succeed in a men's sport?"

That question has been answered in the form of San Antonio Spurs' assistant coach Becky Hammon, who has led their NBA Summer League team to the championship game. Hammon, 38, has been compared by Coach Gregg Popovich as another coach in the mold of former assistant coaches Steve Kerr and Mike Budenholzer, the former just winning the NBA title in his first year and the latter winning the NBA Coach of the Year. Hammon has overcome a lot to get to the this point, and the snide comments that were spoken on social media blogs have now given way to the belief that she will be an NBA coach one day. It was her grit and determination that has placed her in this position to make history, and this may be the genesis of a revolution in the once-unbreakable glass ceiling in men's professional sports.

Recently Serena Williams just won her 21st Grand Slam championship at Wimbledon, one behind Steffi Graf and more Grand Slams than all active women combined. However, the story afterwards was not about her amazing accomplishments on the court, it was about her appearance off of it. Which begs the question: why is it that in 2015 society still continues to hold women to a standard that it's not about wins and losses, but it's as long as they fit their standard of outer beauty?

Whether it's the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, or the countless appearances of women athletes in modeling shoots, there has always been this perception that as long as they look good, nothing else matters? When Caroline Wozniacki showed up to play Williams in 2012 wearing tissue underneath her clothing to mock her body structure? Is it still that we give women a pass on their success or lack thereof just so as long as they fit the media viewpoint? Sports can be a microcosm for how we treat others in our daily views of society. Comments like the ones directed at Williams shows that we as fans have a way to go.

So the next time you look at a Ronda Rousey dismantle an opponent in 14 seconds or Williams win another Grand Slam, will the conversation still be "she's ok for a girl"? The time has come for the image to be one of success, not of physical glamour...

When does forgiveness begin?

Tonight at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati Pete Rose appeared as one of the Reds' "Franchise Four" players, along with Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and former NL MVP Barry Larkin for the annual MLB All-Star Game. As the final player introduced, Rose entered to a rousing ovation from the Ohio faithful who became the game's all-time hits leader. Known as many by his nickname "Charlie Hustle," Rose was revered for his constant hustle on the base paths as well as his ability to go-all out on every play. Baseball fans of yesteryear remember him for his gut-wrenching hit on catcher Ray Fosse at the 1970 All-Star Game which affected Fosse's career going forward.

However, despite being a key member of the "Big Red Machine" that won two World Series titles in the 1970s, the Pete Rose that many know now is the one that was banned from baseball for life in 1989 for admitting to gambling on baseball while being a player-manager for the Reds. He signed the agreement once he was caught, effectively ending his career and later being barred from being voted into the Hall of Fame. For the past 26 years the never-ending debate of whether or not he should be reinstated has been a topic of discussion on sports talk radio shows, countless television programs, and even at Cooperstown, NY, home of the Hall of Fame. Many remember the uncomfortable interview he had with Jim Gray at the 1999 All-Star Game in Atlanta.



Even with the recent release of the Dowd Report which highlights Rose's gambling as a manager, the calls for him to be reinstated have grown louder than ever. New MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has stated that he would keep an open mind about re-opening talks with Rose, which brings an even greater question: To what extent should a person extend forgiveness?

We've seen countless athletes fall to a myriad of scandals...Sammy Sosa (drugs), Lance Armstrong (lying) and Tiger Woods (infidelity) yet the public has been willing to forgive them once they came clean and was willing to show humility. Forgiveness is a human quality that we all possess, even to the point of extending it to the most heartless person. When Peter asked Jesus in Matthew 18 how many times he should forgive, Jesus responded "Seventy times seven." Even when Jacob stole Esau's birthright and Esau swore revenge, he forgave his brother and they made amends.

This is not about whether or not Rose should be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but it does go to a bigger question: how much longer must we hold grudges with one another? Forgiveness releases not the person who did the offending, but the person who was offended. They say time heals all wounds, and the only way to do that is to be willing to extend forgiveness, or take the first step in saying "I'm sorry."

Where does the fault lie?

"Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers."

Los Angeles is usually considered one of the epicenters of the NBA landscape. The Lakers have established not one but two dynasty periods throughout its storied history, combining sizzle and substance the likes of which has never been seen sans the Michael Jordan era of the 1990s. The late Dr. Jerry Buss was the beloved owner, and from Magic to Kobe, this franchise has made Showtime an iconic definition which is the envy of organizations not only in basketball, but in sports.

The Los Angeles Clippers, on the other hand, has been nothing short of a laughingstock since they moved to the city of angels from San Diego. Two words: Donald Sterling. Two more words: 'Enough said. Bad drafts + bad management = $2billion price tag. It took the drafting of a once-in-a-generation highlight machine in Blake Griffin and a vetoed trade by then NBA Commissioner David Stern to bring All-Star PG Chris Paul to the other side of the Staples Center.

As the Clippers have become the commercial darlings of the NBA with their recent success, the Lakers have had a reversal of misfortune since the passing of the late Dr. Buss. The reigns of the franchise have been handed over to his children Jeanie and Jim Buss, and with an aging Kobe Bryant, Showtime has turned into "No-Time" as they have had their worst seasons in back-to-back years ever. It has created angst among the fan base, and a push to expedite the growing process back to prominence. However, the results of the 2015 free agency period have spoken volumes about what both NBA insiders and outsiders have long suspected: that the shine of LA is not what it appears to be behind the scenes.

In the past the Lakers could simply rely on their beautiful weather and Hollywood-connections to summon the greatest players to don the purple and gold. As a matter of fact, the Lakers brass reportedly pitched that to at-the-time free agent LaMarcus Aldridge in hopes he would leave Portland and join them. It didn't go too well, and neither did the second meeting. Aldridge turned down the Lakers offer to join the San Antonio Spurs, an organization that was never known for signing in-their-prime free agents from other teams, but drafting and developing players to win multiple championships. Their culture is one of professionalism and a "team above player" mentality. Perhaps it was the fact that he decided to play closer to home, but the fact that he chose San Antonio over LA was similar to what happened with Dwight Howard when he spurned the Lakers and took less to join the Houston Rockets. The Lakers are used to being the standard bearer for free agents, and now they are left holding the bag, having to get under the radar players in hopes of making one last title run during Kobe's twilight.

The Clippers also realized the changing NBA landscape as their franchise center DeAndre Jordan turned down playing in LA and a chance to compete for a title to join an aging Dirk Nowitzki in Dallas for $20 million less. It was reported that he was upset at the way he was being treated by fellow Clipper Paul, even to the point where he felt slighted because Paul wasn't giving him high fives in the huddle. Whether that it true or not, it has shown that it takes a lot more than just glitz and glamour of Tinseltown to get players to sign on the dotted line.

Before we start to think that it's just happening out in California, here's a man who took a major sacrifice to see his championship dreams come true:

David West is a two-time All Star who was the leader of an Indiana Pacers squad that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals twice. Known for his intensity, the Xavier forward has been a mainstay in the league, being an enforcer wherever he goes. As he enters the final stages of his own career, he spurned a player option worth 12.5 million to stay in Indiana to join the Spurs culture for the league minimum. Think about it, he gave up 11 million dollars to get a chance at a title, something he felt was no longer obtainable with the Pacers. Whether it was because of the words stated about the management throwing his teammate Roy Hibbert under the bus for the playoff results, or it was about something else, the fact is that he gave up an astounding sum to be part of a leadership that is stable and has a plan in place.

It doesn't matter how talented someone can be, it's extremely difficult to overcome a losing culture. Ask yourself what would you give up to be a part of something great? Would you give up riches to be part of something with many wise advisers who can set you on the right path?

The Sports Fans' Declaration of Independence

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

This is the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence, which was the document that eventually led to the United States of America becoming their own union as they declared independence from Great Britain. Tomorrow we will all celebrate the Fourth of July to commemorate our nation's birthday. While we take in the fireworks, the hot dogs, and overload on beverages, let's take a moment to reflect on what the meaning of independence is all about. It's about saying that you are ready to be your own person, to grow with a level of freedom we've never experienced before.

That stated, we as sports fans need to make a declaration as to it pertains to what we have a right to. The following are the truths that we should hold to be self-evident. Tired of your favorite team treating you as if you don't matter? Here's a declaration that outlines what you have a right to do as a sports fan:

1) We declare the right to hold our favorite teams and owners accountable if they are expecting us to pay outrageous prices but not willing to put a winning product on the field, diamond, court, or ice. I'm looking at you, NBA teams that intentionally tank for a higher draft pick.

2) We have a right to let our dollars speak elsewhere, this especially goes for alumni of collegiate programs that are not doing right by the students. This is what the athletic director at University of Alabama-Birmingham tried to do in attempting to eliminate football. First and foremost, every attempt should be made to give the students an opportunity to live out their dreams, and not make it strictly a dollars/cents issue.

3) We have a right to let our voices be heard and disagree of the organization's direction, provided it is respectful. Too often local media becomes nothing more than P.R. pieces for the organization, as I experience often living near the Washington, D.C. area. Fans deserve the right to a voice that is not afraid to call out the owners/GMs when they make questionable decisions.

4) We have a right to call out the athletes if they make poor choices, on and off the field. We can judge righteous judgment (John 7:24) as long as we don't call them out by their name, or insult their families. Fans, leave the kids out of it!

5) We have a right to support another organization if the one we currently support does not intend to create a winning culture but focuses more on how much they can gouge the fans out of their money.

Declare your independence today, and have a Happy 4th of July!

The choices we make....



At approximately 12:01 AM more than 120 players in the NBA will become either free agents or restricted free agents, the second term meaning that their current team can match any deal they are offered. Often this is one of the biggest moments of any offseason in sports because of the fact that even just the arrival of one player can turn a franchise's hopes around, just look at what happened when LeBron James returned to Cleveland (not to mention what happened when he first left). For some guys, it's an opportunity to begin anew, and for others it's a chance to continue something special where they are currently planted.

For those who have the freedom to go wherever they wish, a number of factors always comes into play. Some choose to go because of the amount of money they can receive, for others, it's a chance to finally get over the hump and win a title. Regardless of their choice, their arrival can impact not only the team they join, but the one they left.

We all have those situations in life where we face a difficult choice. It could be a career change, a move to another area, or in some cases, a relationship. You've heard the old saying, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread," that's often because we make choices in life without counting the costs. Do we look at what we are sometimes giving up because the grass looks greener on the other side? If we aren't careful, the end result of making the wrong choice costs more in the long run than we ever wanted to pay.

This is why it's always wise to take time to see the big picture and not the immediate gains when making life choices. Consult the wisdom of those who have ventured before you, and of those who you trust have your best interests at heart. You might find that the best choices are the ones we don't make.

Here's hoping that each of these players have taken the time to count the cost before making a choice that will impact possibly the prime of their lives. Here's also hoping that no one decides to make their decision on a prime time television show.

A father's gift...

As a kid I used to watch cartoons of superheroes such as Superman, He-Man, and G.I. Joe, always excited to see how they overcame the odds to beat the villains. The next day at school while most kids would pretend to be their favorite superheroes, the person I wanted to imitate didn't wear a cape or a mask, and wasn't able to lift up a building with one hand. No, the person I most wanted to be like had an ability that couldn't be measured in physical attributes, but in wisdom, guidance and love. It is the man here in the photo, my father, John Henry Reid III.

Don't get me wrong, I was your typical 80's action hero fan, but there was something just a little more special whenever it was my father and I watching them together. He had a way of explaining it that made the light bulb in my mind go off just a little bit brighter. I would marvel as he would tell stories of his life growing up as a one of the first 10 students to integrate Bibb County Schools in Macon, Georgia. Whether it was about his coming-of-life tale as a Freedom Fighter to his more radical days, his knowledge and experience taught me so much growing up that it was a fascination for me just to hear what he had to say.

Both he and my mom had such an awesome responsibility to deal with four boys growing up in the South, but yet I never heard him complain about it. We grew up when hip-hop was entering its golden age, and despite the clash in cultures and ideologies, there was a mutual understanding...a lot of that you can thank Will Smith's "Parents Just Don't Understand" video. One memory I had was I was 9 and went to see "Transformers: The Movie" and the Optimus Prime death scene came up. Despite the tears that were shed, he was always there to give us encouragement, no matter what. That is what he would do, be there to give that pat on the back when we needed it. Another time was when I was called a racial epithet by another kid at the age of 7. I was stunned at first by the comment and didn't know how to respond, but then he said to me as I got home, "more people will despise you for your faith than they will your color." He always knows just what to say to put things in greater perspective. Disciplined yet fair, that's my dad in a nutshell.

Being a former athlete himself, he always inspires me push for my best, on and off the field. What he taught me most of all, was patience and endurance, how to always believe in the best, and that in the end, things will work out. I remember the celebrations we had when the Atlanta Braves won their first title in 1995, to his tears being shed when America elected its first black President in 2008. He is a man of passion and love for God and family, but even to this day when we talk about sports, there is always the wisdom he displays that made me believe that even now, things will get better.

Some marvel to be like Mike, others to be like Jay-Z, but for me, there's only one man I wish I could be half of what he is, and that's my role model, my father. Happy Father's Day dad, I love you.

Hangin' in the rough...

OK, full disclosure here, I am an avid golf fan. I don't care if it's a Sunday at the Masters or the first round of the Dinah Shore Classic, I am all about the links. I often joke with my father that heaven must be a beautiful day where the sky is blue and all 18 holes are open on the golf course. So before going on, I want to provide fair warning that there will be many golf terms in here that will be broken down in its most laymen of terms.

Today is the beginning of the 115th US Open, which is one of the four major championships of the PGA. For the next four days the world's best golfers will head up to Chambers Bay near Seattle to compete for the silver jug. Leading up to the tournament all of the talk about not just who would win but instead who will overcome the rough conditions of the course.

There has been a lot of complaining from the most professional golfers about the design of the course, with the potential of several floating pars and terrain that you wouldn't drive a 4-Runner through. The course is full of sand and little grass, likening it to the conditions usually reserved for the British Open. Whether the concerns about the course are true or not, the fact that there are rumblings point to what could be a very interesting weekend of excuses if the scores are low.

However, I think there is a lesson to be applied here and that's this: Nothing is supposed to be easy, especially at this level. When it comes to obtaining any major goal in life, there needs to be a great level of difficulty. It's as the old saying goes, "Tough times never last but tough people do." Difficulty exposes character, whether one has it or not.

Caleb could've easily did what the other spies did in Numbers 13 and backed away when he saw the giants in the Promised Land, but said, "We can take the land!" He didn't look to the difficulty, he looked to the goal. Often we will count the costs when it comes to a huge task and say, "It's too much, I won't do it."

Each of us come to a point in our lives where we have to step out in faith, not just faith in Christ, but the faith OF Christ, which says, "It's done." It takes going beyond our human thinking when we see a tough situation ahead of us, but instead of murmuring and complaining, we need to step out of the boat and say, "It's done, and nothing will stand in my way."

Real value...

Last night the Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the 2015 NBA championship for the first time in 39 years, yet the majority of the post-game conversation centered around who would win the Finals Most Valuable Player. Would it be LeBron James, who led all players in points, rebounds and assists? Or would it be regular season MVP Stephen Curry, who led the Warriors to the title despite not having a very great series?

The MVP award went to Andre Iguodala, who did not start a game all season until Game 4 of the Finals. He brought a myriad of skills that helped the Warriors win the penultimate prize, but it was something more that he represented to this series: his value. The ongoing debate about who would win the award almost became bigger than the winner of the championship. The question at hand was who best represented value to the overall goal?

To many, value has been defined by statistics and results. Men are quick to size one another up, focusing more on what another man does for his occupation and the amount of his net worth as opposed to how he is as a father, a husband, or friend. Women find value in the clothes they wear, or the shoes they walk in, or even the person they're dating. Often their definition of value becomes based on superficial and artificial accomplishments.

Real value is based upon our character. My father always tells me, "Integrity is who you are when no one's looking." It's being able to enjoy the little things in life. Do you value the words of a loved one, or just being in the presence of friends? When's the last time you valued a good night's rest, or took the time to value a nice walk on a beautiful sunny day with your significant other?

Value is what brings true peace of mind, something that cannot be quantified in dollars and cents. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Discover what is truly valuable to you, and it will bring an unspeakable joy.

What is True Greatness?

During this age of 24/7 news media, where every quote or deed can be analyzed to unprecedented levels (imagine if former President Bill Clinton was in the Oval Office now...hoo boy) we were treated to the power of the message boards when Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James was at the press conference after Game 5's loss to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. A reporter approached James with the inquiry of why he had not yet lost confidence in his team to win and force a Game 7. James responded with, "I'm confident because I'm the best player in the world."

It sent media outlets such as ESPN and sports talk radio into a near frenzy. The comments section of any sports website went as follows, "How dare this man come out with such braggadocio after such a loss?" "Everyone already knows how good he is, does he need to remind us every time," and my personal favorite, "Michael Jordan never said that during his playing days!"

Ah, how soon we forget Jordan's now infamous Hall of Fame speech, which was the ultimate "I told you so" moment to everyone who had the misfortune of attending. What LeBron said was something that isn't exactly breaking news, but the reaction and vitriol directed at him was one of disdain and continued a long-running feud between LeBron and the fans who have yet to forgive him for "The Decision."

If we take a step back, we would see that throughout the history of sports, there has always been a myriad of athletes who have laid claim to being the G.O.A.T (Greatest of all time) and usually have what it takes to back up such a statement. The person best associated with that term (if you ask your local barbershop) would be Muhammad Ali, a fighter whose skill inside the ring was only bested by his bravado out of it. Whether it was him saying "I'm King of the World!" to "It ain't bragging if you back it up," Ali had a charisma that endeared him to the public at large, even after his legal battles against the United States for refusing to go to war, and after embracing of the Islamic faith in a time when racial tensions were at an all time high.

Ali was a man of many quotes, but there was one particular quote that reminded me of what James said and what defines true greatness...

He was a man of conviction, a conviction that he was willing to go to prison for. If Ali had any shortcomings, he wasn't going to broadcast them. However, what Mr. Ali did not realize that even the true greats in history had a character trait that made them who they are: humility. Humility that recognizes that in our own selves, we cannot achieve greatness. Humility that says, "Left to my own devices, I am limited. I need someone greater than me who has no limits."

Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." It recognizes our need for the one who created the heavens and the Earth. One who is able to go on their knees in humility can stand before kings!

He's got a plan, you know...

This is Chuck Pagano, head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Many of you may remember him from his first season under the headset in 2012 as he battled leukemia in the fall, which prompted the popular #Chuckstrong hashtag in showing support. Later that year the cancer went into remission and since then he has used that experience to help others. The latest example of that assistance took place yesterday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Rita Hay, who is 70 and has been diagnosed with liver and lung cancer, was given six months to live by her doctors. One of her final wishes was to visit the inside of the stadium, and through the help of Indianapolis Star reporter Bob Kravitz, Hay was able to visit the facility while the Colts were having open workouts. Along with her family, she was able to meet players such as Andrew Luck, but it was when Pagano arrived that a very special conversation took place. For full details visit the following link: http://www.wthr.com/story/29291331/kravitz-pagano-and-colts-make-a-dying-womans-wish-come-true

Below is an excerpt of the conversation. (credit: Bob Kravitz, Indianapolis Star)


"Oh, there's Chuck Pagano, there's Chuck Pagano!" Rita said.

Pagano leaned over Rita in her wheelchair, smiled.

"How you doing, baby?" he asked. "How you doing?"

"Oh," she said like a young schoolgirl. "I'm doing OK. I'm in Stage Four."

"He's got a plan, you know," Pagano said.

Rita nodded. "I know He does."

Pagano continued: Never give up, keep believing. I didn't know why when I got my set of circumstances, didn't know why He put me where He put me. But going through it and seeing where I am now, I understand it. I completely understand it. So that I could do this and help people going through tough times. ... You're an inspiration to all of us, Rita."

We all experience some rough patches in our lives. It could be the loss of loved one, an illness, loss of job, or a myriad of issues. However, we have to be reminded that in those circumstances we are given strength by God, and faith in God, to endure through those rough times. Is life fair? No, but it was never meant to be. However, that doesn't mean that bad times last forever. It becomes a test of faith and we have to remember that it is always darkest before the dawn.

Pagano's and Hay's respective battles are tremendous but they both understand that He's got a plan. If we hold true to that understanding then our own personal tests will become a testimony. The testimony will be not just overcoming the trial, but of the one who brings us out of it.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."