Why not us!

I remember being at the training facility in Owings Mills, my rookie year, and feeling as if I were really blessed to have the honor of sharing a my NFL experience with the best athletes in the world. I also remember having the feeling of wanting show my teammates, coaches, and prove to myself that I was supposed to be there. You have to understand, I came from a small school, Howard University. Well known in academics, but small in respects of being an athletic powerhouse. I believe that it is not a right to play professional sports, but it is an honor. A honor that seems to have slipped the minds of some. I look back at some of the all-time greats who played the game, like Deacon Jones and John Randle, and wondered how would they would have dealt with the problems facing the game and communities. I wonder how the social issues that face our communities would be different if, we as professional athletes, would take a stand. A stance that would allow us to lead by example. But currently the example that we have been setting is a disturbing one. I don't know sometimes if I am looking at Sports show, or the Criminal Report of the Day. This is not the example that others have set for us to follow. Sure I can tell you about my day and what I did, but I would much rather share with you some "Food for Thought." And the thought of the day or the week is that we have to change. Change in a way that would allow others to come in and play the game the right way and function in their lives as productive members of society. Athletes used to be revered in the communities and across the world for how the lived their lives, not only during the hours of "the game" but also after the game. If there is one thing I love the most, it is Fall Afternoons playing 60 minutes against an opposing team. But I also love giving back to those same communities where our stadiums are located and residents can't even afford a ticket. What as athletes do we need to do to give back? And what rights do we have? And what as fans are you going to do to give back also.