A Show of Appreciation for Donald Driver: A True Professional and Better Human Being

Drafted as a seventh round pick in 1999 out of Alcorn State on a team with receivers like Bill Schroeder, Antonio Freeman, Desmond Howard, and athletic Corey Bradford, who would have thought that "Quickie" would turn into the Packers idol that he is now? While I admit he isn't my favorite player, I would be lying if I told you he wasn't my favorite person on the team. His story, commitment to the team, and durability throughout his years are all just a part of what made him so hard not to root for.

Among the receivers drafted ahead of Driver in the 1999 draft, he had the longest career and is only second in receiving yards to Torry Holt. He also only missed four games throughout his ENTIRE career.

Here's a few Donald Driver moments that I and many of Packer nation all will remember for a while:

2007 NFC Championship















Beast Mode vs. 49ers

Dancing with the Stars: Swag.















Aside from the glamorous moments that Driver spent in the national spotlight. Any resident of Wisconsin or Packer fan can quickly attest to his community involvement and philanthropy. His charity softball event that took place just last weekend raised a record $200,000 for the Donald Driver Foundation, which gives money to homeless families throughout Wisconsin. When asked if he is going to continue hosting the event, he said, "I would love to keep it forever.  I think the fans miss retired players as well as they see the current.  They're trying to know the current players, but they do miss the veteran guys." 
When asked about his retirement plans, he said, "I'm ingrained right here in Wisconsin.  I'm not going anywhere, this is my home and it will always be." 
How great is that? On top of declining contracts with other teams and saying he would only sign with the Packers, he is committed to staying in Green Bay. After having someone we never imagined leaving in Brett Favre, Donald Driver is exactly the type of retirement story that Packer fans needed. He never puts himself on a pedestal and is always gracious and courteous. A true role model. 
While Quickie may not make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he deserves unending recognition for the role model he has become to underprivileged families and aspiring football players. Donald Driver is most certainly a lock to make every Packer fan's Hall of Fame. He even just a few days ago had Green Bay street named after him as "Donald Driver Way."
Give him a street, a statue, a Nobel Peace Prize, a building, hell, name a city and your next child after him. He deserves all the recognition anyone could ever give.
That Donald Driver smile, year to year consistency and dependability, and class on and off the field are what make every Packer fan appreciate you so much, Quickie. Thanks for everything and we look forward to having you around in the community for years to come.

What Now?

Isn't it funny how often we find cliche sayings to be true? "Don't take things for granted", "Make the most of it", "Carpe Diem", etc.. While I see where these statements come from, I also disagree with them. I lived all of my college years trying to find a balance between being reflective, being in the moment, and doing both at the same time. Five years later on the verge of receiving my degree, I am still in a place of sadness.

I realized the importance of all of the relationships I had the past five years, and tried to express it as much as my personality allowed. This period of transition is hard, because I don't know what to expect, and I know what I already have. How can I be expected to wake up with enthusiasm every day, when there is so much uncertainty about the future? It's hard to seize the day when I need to reflect first.

Don't get me wrong, I am excited to begin what is considered the biggest part of an American's life in a career, but to be able to appreciate the things when they come, I think it is important to realize where I have came from and who the people are that helped me get there. If I am taking anything for granted, it's the role that my friends and family have played in shaping my personality and perspective. It's not the laughs, cries, arguments, or deep conversations we shared.

Miss you guys. 

I suppose the realization that I am coming to, is how important it is to balance appreciation for friends and family, and living in the moment. Without reflecting on my past and realizing how it helped bring me to this point, it is impossible for me to move on to the next stage and appreciate that just as much.

So this is to all my friends that peer pressured me into going out on Monday nights, and encouraged me with my studies the next day. This is for all of my friends that encouraged me to stay out for one drink just to "see what happens", and the ones who fed me water later that night. This is also for my friends that were there when I needed to talk about something important, and helped make me feel better. Thanks for the memories, and know that even if I'm gone, I'm always around.

Motherly Memo

It's Mother's Day, one of the few holidays that should be recognized every day. Because we all know where we would be without our moms. If I had to guess where I would be without my mom, it would be somewhere between dead in a roadside ditch, and mopping floors for a living (not that there's anything wrong with that). But no matter, thanks to my mom I'm in a place where I can be proud of who I am and where I came from.

She even buys me beer!

In the transition period I am currently in of graduating and moving into another life stage, this year is a year that I appreciate my mom more than I have in past years. This is for the nights of my youth I would sleep in mom and dad's bed because of a nightmare, getting read to on a nightly basis, having desserts snuck to me before bed, and the lunches I was made EVERY day of school. It's so great to be at a point where I can recognize how all those seemingly normal occurrences compiled to such significance. It's amazing how consistency is able to symbolize love, caring, and nurture.

The luxury of not having to worry about if someone at home loves me or not, and knowing that there would always be dinner made for me and laundry folded, is what makes me so grateful that I have the mom I have. I am so fortunate to have been raised by such a beautiful person and to continue to be supported throughout college. Mom, I really have no idea how you were able to deal with not just one of me, but a twin and three other kids. I am just so glad that you found it to be worth it. I love you mom.

For everyone who has the fortune to say they can appreciate all of these things, cheers to you and your mothers; because not everyone has a loving mother to go home to.

Happy Mothers Day! 

Gay Athletes in Professional Sports: The Dawn of a New Era

We are getting extremely close to an era where gay athletes will be able to be open about their sexuality, and its going to change the sports culture and in turn, American culture for the better.

It's been long accepted that the most popular sports in America are dominated by males, and that participation in them is part of what makes someone a "man", or "masculine". The idea of sports being a way to showcase masculinity has been a deterrent on the progression of accepting homosexuality in our culture. In the wake of the Mike Rice incident, where he used homophobic slurs in moments of frustration towards his players, homophobia in pro and college sports is beginning to get more attention.

That's the sad thing. Why does it always get dismissed when people talk about using the word fag in a sport setting? It's like the use of the "n' word, and how these words are accepted in certain settings and when used by certain people. While we all look at Mike Rice and talk about how horrible it is that a coach would act so extreme, we all know its so much more common than we want to acknowledge. This is someone who has a reputation and works in a major market in New York City. Think about those coaches and players who discourage homosexuality in small towns who are coaching youth and high school sports. It is so much more than just treating players equally. Getting rid of homophobia in sports could help towards breaking stereotypes, and reducing the amount of bullying that occurs in schools.

Pro athletes have to feel so obligated to act macho that those who are gay can't even be open with their own teammates. These people are competing at the highest level of sport, what more do they need to  prove to anyone? It's absurd the amount of stereotypes that surround homosexuals, and the discredit towards a man's ability to compete in a masculine sport because they are gay.

Are people going to stop liking their favorite teams or watching their favorite sport because they know that there are gay players? Please.

Brendan Ayanbadejo, a former Baltimore Ravens linebacker said in a recent interview with the Baltimore Sun that it is possible that we may see multiple NFL players come out very soon. "We're in talks with a handful of players who are considering it. There are up to four players being talked to right now, and they're trying to be organized so they can come out on the same day together. It would make a major splash and take the pressure off one guy. It would be a monumental day if a handful or a few guys come out. Of course, there would be backlash. If they could share the backlash, it would be more positive.''

I like the idea of it being more than one player, because the media attention can then be diluted and it can be diffused more quickly. One thing I would imagine stopping a player from coming out while playing is that not only do they not want that attention for themselves, they don't want media attention to distract their teammates and coaches. Do you think if a player told their team they were going to come out publicly, that the team would encourage it? It scares me that I don't know they would. Who wants the media circus surrounding that? It's the same reason teams are going to be scared to draft Manti Te'o in a few weeks.

If and when it happens, I really hope that we can just take it in stride and applaud those with the courage to be the first through the wall, and then carry on. People have better things to spend their time worrying about, and it would be a relief to finally be able to stop the unnecessary speculation.

Monday Morning Sports Headlines: Michigan's Revival

It may just be a matter of coincidence that I watched the ESPN 30 for 30 series on Netflix, and stumbled upon the "Fab Five" documentary, or it could be destiny.

Twenty years have passed since Michigan last reached the Final Four, and they have finally made their return after embarrassing the talented Florida Gators. Nik Stauskas showed up big as a freshman, and Trey Burke reiterated why he is an NBA point guard. Michigan continues to display why they deserved better than a four seed (if anyone actually cares about seed).

I think those warmup shirts were appropriate for Trey Burke.

Yes it's more of a shocker that Wichita is in the Final Four, but I think this Michigan team has stolen the weekend. Their incomprehensible comeback against Kansas followed by an overtime win were the talk of anybody's Friday night. They also had the toughest road to the Final Four, playing a five, one, and three seed to get there.

While the days of Glenn Robinson, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, and Chris Webber are in the rear view, it only seems fitting that Robinson's son and this current generation of Michigan players has held the rest of the nation captive. This team has shown the rest of the nation that a team can overcome sanctions and return to national prominence. Even though the sanctions are comparatively light to those that have been placed on other major programs, the reputation of the program and history were compromised. This is also coming in a power conference, where Michigan has to compete with Michigan State for in-state players, and Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Indiana for players in the Midwest.

I realize I may be dramatizing their "return", but really what I am trying to stress is that programs that have had a historically bad reputation or little success should look at Michigan as a symbol of "hope". In an era where the rich get even richer in college athletics, a Michigan and a VCU are prime examples of how good coaching and development can establish a program.

So, from a B1G perspective, be patient - Minnesota, Northwestern, Iowa, and especially Penn State. Your time in the cellar may not last forever, and there is always potential to break the spell of perennial mediocrity. Just look at Michigan and Indiana.

Programming Note* - I will be doing a section every Monday on whatever I deem the biggest sports story of the past week. Carry on :)

The Power of Questions

What is the importance of relationships in life? In what ways do they add or subtract value? What are the things that define who we are and where we are going?

I am at a point where I have came to question everything around me. Evaluating my surroundings and the "progress", or journey that my life has become. The daily routines of class, work, exercise, eating, and sleeping seem to have no intangible purpose. At least, it is difficult to always see how the immediate benefits can translate into bigger things. What are humans meant to learn about and how are they meant to live life?

Rather than trying to answer these questions, I find myself asking more questions, and feeling enlightened, yet overwhelmed with possibilities. I come to the question of, what do I want to create, in conjunction with the beliefs of the rest of the world? Do we know what we commit to when we go through our day, and how our daily activities are going to impact the rest of our lives?

Globalization seems to be a popular notion today, albeit relatively new. But are we at a point where our countries, states, and communities are connected and sophisticated enough to be interested in forming a global community? After all, how much do we even interact with our neighbors? Something that I am and would believe many are guilty of is devaluing even small interactions with others. We close ourselves off to the people who are even the most accessible. How often do we have meaningful conversations with people we are passing by at work, class, or an extracurricular activity, and why do people value time itself rather than how time is used? Would it be better to perceive time as possibility rather than money or self advancement?

I know that many of us are well intentioned with the things we do and that there is value in structure and organization, but the question I am asking is - What type of structure are we creating, and what do we want to create?

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Spring is within smelling distance (for non-Midwesterners), summer break is soon to follow, and just about every sport season is at the peak of optimism. NFL free agency has Viking fans dreaming of September, and Packer fans cursing out Ted Thompson. NBA playoff races are heating up, (see what I did there?) opening day for baseball fans is less than a week away, and hockey... well I'm not going to pretend to care about hockey.

Oh... and MARCH MADNESS.

Seriously, for sport fans, can you think of a better time of year? Fans are brimming with optimism about the potential for their college basketball team, tournament bracket, their NFL free agent additions, and the sights and sounds of a baseball game under the lights.

Play on, playas.

With the first and most exciting weekend of the NCAA tournament coming to an end today, and everyones' brackets being busted thanks to La Salle, FGCU, and Wichita State, we can all forget the money wasted and start rooting for the underdogs. I would love to know how many Wikipedia page views has Florida Gulf Coast University gained since beating Georgetown. I can't say I haven't considered transferring there.

Imagine how horrible the month of March would be without the magic that is the NCAA tournament. Mixtures of snow, sleet, and rain cover the soggy brown grass coupled with mid terms would have students on suicide watch. Luckily this year we all have the new JT album to boost our spirits. But other years, I can't imagine how people would survive without March Madness.

I know I mentioned how there is baseball to look forward to, and NFL free agency, and the NBA to watch, but the point is that March Madness is what makes all the other things so exciting. The effect the tournament has when supplemented by all the other sporting events is what makes this time of year so sacred. Let me paint this picture for you, without the tournament, there is a 75% chance that the top sports story would be that Brett Favre was spotted mowing his lawn with a football in his lap, inferring that he is considering a(nother) comeback. Gag me..

So here's to you March Madness, your existence amplifies the excitement for every other pro sport period, and you are about the only thing that the NCAA has done right.

Mazel Tov!