[Oe List ...] Theological Justification for Football

[Bill Bailey]

Tim,

I had a similar experience. My senior year in High school I weight 205 lbs 
and was 6 feet 2. I played tight end on a single wing offence and half back 
on the defense team. That year (1949) I was elected the MVP of our team, 
played in the South Carolina/North Carolina Shrine game in Charlotte, NC, 
played in the east/west North Carolina all star game in Greensboro, NC. I 
had the honor of being selected on the NC all state team. In short earned 
every recognition for a high school football player that NC had to offer. As 
a result of this Duke, UNC, George U. and NC state offered me a full four 
year scholarship (all expenses paid) to come and play football. I chose 
Duke. In the summer of 1950 Marianna and I moved to Durham and I played 
football. All went well during the fall program, but during spring practice 
I received an injury that put me in Duke Hospital for three days. When it 
was time to go home the doctors informed me that because of the injury and 
its long term affects I would not be allowed to play football anymore. (at 
this point I died) About a week later Mariana said to me - "Bill you have to 
get a new life." Like what, I asked. She replied "You still have a four year 
scholarship - Why don't you take this opportunity to get an education". 
Three days later I did. (my rebirth).

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tim Wegner" <twegner at swbell.net>
To: "Order Ecumenical" <oe at wedgeblade.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 10:16 PM
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Theological Justification for Football


> Dick wrote:
>
>> Football destroyed all my illusions, thus I experienced death;
>> football gave me my real
>> life, thus I experienced re-birth.
>
> The first part of that (experiencing death) is literally true for a
> shocking percentage of football players on the pro level. Some suffer
> permanent brain damage and live out their days dependent on others
> for basic care. One probowl lineman, now in his fifties, who can
> barely walk and has constant memory lapses, has said he regrets he
> ever played even one minute of football at any level. Fans, like us,
> have forgotten them, and the NFL does little to help them.
>
> This guy might question the second part about "football gave me my
> real life". He is hardly alone, only forgotten.
>
> Tim Wegner
>
>
>
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