As many of you may have noticed, I “kinda” went underground during the 2024 New York Giants football season.
As many of you may have noticed, I “kinda” went underground during the 2024 New York Giants football season. I guess I subscribe to the adage that “if you don’t have anything good to say the best thing to say is nothing”. I got a sense during the first 10 minutes of the Giants opening game against the Vikings that it was going to be a long and tumultuous football season for the Giants organization especially because it was the 100th anniversary of the New York Football Giants. I chose to remain silent saying nothing until now.
On a personal bright note, I was honored to be named as one of the Top 10 Greatest Players to play for the New York Football Giants Organization. Out of the almost 5000 players to ever play for the Giants since 1925 I was ranked #7.
Recently, I hosted a reunion dinner at my home in South Carolina with the kids who lived in the Eastside of Florence, South Carolina. Some of those who attended went to kindergarten or Elementary School and High School with me. Some of the guys in the group are guys I played football with at lunchtime at Holmes Elementary School. We didn’t actually have a football to play with instead we had milk cartons with rocks in the cartons. Some of us went on to play organized football once we went on to high school. Some of the guys and I went on to participate in the Air Force ROTC program. Those who came and attended the reunion know me, they knew me before any fame I might’ve accumulated as a jock. They know me before I became #53 and being named the 7th greatest player to wear the New York Giants uniform. I am one of them!
Since my days as a professional athlete I have often wondered why of all the football players I have played with on every level, why me? I keep coming back to, it was God’s will. I spoke to those in attendance and thanked them for allowing me to be their “Representative”. I am very cognizant that in whatever I do I represent where I come from. The group and I reflected quite a bit on the elementary school teachers who cared for us as if we were their own children. Oftentimes a fan will ask for my autograph. When they see the item autographed, some will compliment me on my penmanship. I, in turn will say my penmanship is the legacy of my first-grade teacher Mrs. Washington. Which is true because, all of my classmates write similarly.
I don’t usually get excited by too many things but being able to reconnect with my classmates and friends from as many as 60 – 65 years ago has been a very special time for me. It has indeed been one of the highlights of my life…!
