Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

On Saturday night, I relearned a lesson I already knew. Often times, we need to be reminded of lessons we learned as a child. When we were children, things were simpler. We didn’t judge, we just played with everyone…all the other children were our friends. We learned to judge, as we grew older. Our teachers always taught us right from wrong…but did we listen?

I pulled into a gas station as I was driving home, only to find out it was closed. It looked open, the lights were on…but it was definitely closed. As I tried to get back in my car, I realized that I locked the keys in my car…no problem? I’ll just call my wife to bring me my spare set of keys. I was only about 15 minutes from home…no biggie, right? Wrong…my cell phone was locked in the car also! I looked for a pay phone…nope, nothing! I looked to see if there was any other business that was open…nope, nothing! There was nothing in sight; no one was there…just me!

As time went on, I must admit, I was getting a little nervous. There I was, by myself, in the middle of the night, and I didn’t know what to do. I paced back and forth…stupid, stupid, stupid…I said to myself. So at this point, I gave up and started walking down the highway hoping I would see a car pass by…nope, nothing!

After about ten minutes or so, I saw a bunch of guys (okay, they looked like thugs). I wasn’t sure what to do? Do I ask them for help? Or do I walk briskly away (run like hell was actually going through my mind), before I get my keister kicked? I didn’t have a choice, as one of them approached me. I was nervous…I tried to stay calm, cool, and collected.

After a brief conversation, he offered me his cell phone to call my wife. She got there shortly with my spare set of keys…and all was good. I offered the young lad (we were chums by this point) some money for his services…but he politely declined. I drove home…but I didn’t feel right. I pre-judged those kids because of how they were dressed, because they were hanging around at 2 A.M. in the middle of nowhere.

As I dropped off my daughter at pre-school today, I told her to have fun and play nice with all the other kids. She went off and started playing with all her friends…If only I was as smart as she!

Timing Is Everything

Today is a seasonable mild day in beautiful Gilbertsville, PA. There are leaves falling and a calm breeze. As I sit on my patio, I hear the birds chirping, and the wind howl occasionally. It is almost an eerie feeling. The kids are in school and the streets and backyards are empty. So, I thought to myself, timing is everything. A few weeks ago, at this time, kids were running in their yards, playing on their swing sets, and horse playing as youngsters do. Today, nothing!

So, you may ask, what does this have to do with football…everything! When the Eagles acquired Terrell Eldorado Owens, they loved him. They chanted, T.O., T.O., T.O., T.O., T.O., T.O.!!! Everyone in Philly was going crazy over this guy. Then he got the boot, and he signed with the Cowboys. He clashed with Parcells…but under Wade Phillips, he has really become a vocal leader on his team. He has even taken the younger receivers under his wing and has spent extra time showing them the ropes. He has become a model teammate in Dallas…so, why the change in Terrell?

Timing…that’s the change! Terrell was in a situation in Philadelphia where he felt that McNabb dissed him. WIP (local sports radio) and the Hugh Douglass situation was the final straw that broke the camels back! He was done, and there was no way out…except enter Jerry Jones. Mr. Jones likes to take chances, he likes to gamble, and he likes the guy who has been knocked down. Why? Because he was once knocked down himself (read his book). He likes to see how people get back up again, so he took a chance on Terrell. And Terrell has flourished in Dallas, because he knew that once Jerry takes a chance on you…it’s your last chance.

So once Terrell knew his back was up against the wall…he changed his ways! He now knows that his best chance to win a Super Bowl is to be a good teammate and play by the rules. This is his last chance, a chance he does not want to waste like he did with the Eagles. Terrell has matured…had this occurred earlier, he would already have his ring with Philadelphia…timing is everything!

A Game For The Ages: An Instant Classic

Last night I saw one of the best games ever. If for some ungodly reason you didn’t see it…shame on you! The Dallas Cowboys outlasted the Philadelphia Eagles 41-37. This game had everything imaginable. The offenses were unstoppable, yet the defenses made plays when needed. This game defined the season for both teams. The Cowboys thought they were good, now they know that they are, and it could turn out to be a magical season. The Eagles, they weren’t too sure where they stood. They have a young core of receivers (some nursing injuries) and a beefed up offensive line, and a maligned quarterback just a year removed from a major injury. Now, they know they can hang with the Cowboys and have a legitimate shot this year.

This game had offensive firepower. Both teams drove up and down the field at will. There were interceptions, fumbles (one for a touchdown), a kickoff for a touchdown, penalties (lots of them), field goals (one a 50+ yarder), and there was the bonehead play of the decade (DeSean Jackson). T.O. was flapping his wings, and McNabb was strutting his stuff. This game had flare and drama, wire to wire. It was nonstop action, the most points scored in an Eagles-Cowboys game ever.

As I was watching the game, the same thought kept running through my mind. I just didn’t want this game to end. I was hoping it would go to overtime, just to prolong it a little while. But I knew it would end. It reminded me of those times in life when something special is happening and we want it to last forever. We all have those moments; a special birthday, your wedding day, the birth of a child, vacations, a school trip, spring break, etc., and this was one of those moments as well. But every thing must come to an end, but we can add it to our list of memories. It was the last Monday Night Football game at Texas Stadium…thanks for the memories! Tex Schramm once said the hole in the roof was so God could watch his favorite team play (Cowboys)…I don’t know about all that…but if true…He was watching! It was one of those games that will be talked about on local sports radio, at the water coolers, on the train, and on the playgrounds, one that will be re-aired on NFL Network (NFL RePlay), an instant classic for sure…it was…a game for the ages.