The NFL is a family within each locker room and HQ across the League.
As my mom always said we’re all spokes in the wheels, so not strange that things would adjust in many ways, it’s a family.
Adversity strikes us all, it’s LIFE. Whether its injuries, illnesses, defeats, losses, conflicts, spats, hence gifts grace us as well. So when it hits I think the same parts exist in all families, the NFL included.
People rise to the occasion. However when the leader of your family lands in the hospital the rug gets yanked from under you. Grinding teeth, no sleep, fears of calls at 9:00 pm or later and even reevaluation what you’re praying for, all symptoms that I have experienced.
Sunday Night Football, I had picked the Colts to win in my weekly poll, yet was so excited about how passion filled the Texans played in the first half I shifted, the underdog fan inside me took over. After the collapse of Gary Kubiak and hearing Michelle Tafoya’s sideline correspondence I realized he had had a stroke. I’m not a doctor, but unfortunately I have experience with this subject.
I was rooting intently, as I’m sure everyone was, “Come on Houston do it for Coach Kubiak”. But what I saw was a mirror of how I felt after getting a call that Dad was back in hospital a little over a year and a half ago. The game became senseless, and withdrawn, I even wondered how I could continue to watch, having empathy for the Houston family on the sidelines during the second half. Upon getting the call from my sister the doctor, who had assured me no need to come up, trying to protect me, I immediately drove an hour to the ER. This time was actually worse dad had a hemorrhagic stroke and was in ICU for 10 days, the hospital for another month and a half, then assistant living, finally after 3 months he came home.
I’m fortunate to have a very close family everyone pulled together, shifts were arranged with my sisters in an effortless way amidst our crazy schedules. Someone was running the show from above obviously, as this was different then our multiple times before. Dad had always miraculously mindfully pushed and was back in the office within a few days.
The similarities all to similar though the outcomes may differ, so when I hear or see similar happenings, my heart drops, you see I’ve been there.
This last week I was hit three times in four days.
Ironically As I was driving up sat to be with my parents I heard and saw the news of John Fox. One of my most admired coaches in the league and notably stated a few seasons ago. He opened my mind with how he was able to shift and utilize a quote un-quote tight end, AKA QB with success. It’s a team effort obviously, but Coach Fox was at the helm.
A few days earlier on Halloween a trick-or-treater showed up from one of the high school football programs. He shared with me my favorite coach had a stroke a few days before. Once again, an amazing leader not just on the field creating a powerhouse program but off the field instilling almost through osmosis dignity, humility and respect into all those kids.
The family though sometimes not gracefully somehow finds rhythm and then stars shine, but during the interim it can feel clumsy. We all deal differently react and act somehow blindly, miraculously this bring us together with an even stronger bond. One more thing comes, your true compassion and understanding when it happens to someone else.
I’m not sure what will happen for the Broncos or the Texans this season, but I do believe with two amazing D Cords stepping in; Wade Phillips and Jack Del Rio, tight locker rooms and compassion that the bond of brotherhood will make the family closer.
Continued Prayers and good thoughts to Gary Kubiak, John Fox, John Carroll and their families.
