Sacrifices come in many forms. When young men train for positions on NFL teams, they sacrifice to achieve a high level of performance. Now is the time for us to remember the sacrifices made by the young Oakland Raiders who will bring forth a fruitful season in 2010.
This is what we hope for.
Some of them sacrifice by eating certain diets, doing exercises, and keeping good schedules to build up their strength and mental stamina.
Many of them study tapes, routes and entire playbooks like doctoral students who study to pass qualifying exams. Many of the young Oakland Raiders are like aspiring Ph.Ds in other disciplines. They are becoming experts in their specialty in professional football.
Some of them sacrifice by spending hours on fields and in weight rooms, away from their loved ones, trying to come up to a certain physical standard or weight.
This writer awakens with a scripture on her heart. Remembering the ups and downs of some of the people who have played professional football who now are seniors is an honorable mission.
It is like remembering men of war who come back to their hometowns and families wounded and affected by the experiences of conflict and war.
One such senior Oakland Raider had a nickname, War Horse. The name symbolized, to many of his college associates, that he was strong, streamlined, and disciplined in his work ethic.
He was a man who never became overweight. At 67-years old, he is still slim but strong.
This man, like so many others who have had illustrious careers and who served in the military, have also survived many near tragedies.
His life is a living testimony of endurance, and survival after many trials and tribulations.
Have you ever been hit by a car? This man was.
