I Didn't Forget
I was often told during my rookie season that I should cherish the relationships and the memories the NFL would bring. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to work with some great people. I have played with future Hall of Famers and been taught by legendary coaches as well. But it’s not necessarily those individuals who I have bonded with the most. I came into the league as an undrafted free agent. I was one of the many who sat on their couch during the 1999 April draft hoping to hear their name called. It was never called. But 11 years later, I still use that experience to fuel my fire.
During the first day of free agency this year, the Baltimore Ravens released me. Surprised, yes, but life goes on. Shortly after I received that call by the General Manger, I also got word of a missing boat off the coast of Florida. I heard about the boat over the weekend, but never realized one of my friends was a passenger on board. Corey Smith was a humble, God-fearing, reserved young man. When I signed with the 49ers back in 2005, Corey and I would often hang out together, and rode with one another to the hotel the night before the game, as many players do. We regularly talked about life, music, and other things. He was as close to me during that time, as any one else on the team. We would go to mall after workouts, and try to find the latest gear, or watch practice film together. He would often talk about returning to Florida and I would talk about retreating to North Carolina. He was also excited about his recent purchase of a condo. I frequently asked him during our games for tips on how the D-Line could play better, and he would give me pointers on my game. Many of us used to stand in amazement watching him beat O-linemen, during drills. As I look back, I can still see him sitting at his locker, laughing and joking. That’s what makes it even harder to realize sometimes that he’s gone. Do I understand death,…yes. As a Christian I understand that to be absent from the body, is to be present with the father. But when someone so young falls victim to an untimely death, it hurts. This man inspired many, but his voice, and life was only worth about 7 days of coverage on the news. I wish sometimes as athletes we would stand as close as soldiers. They never leave anyone behind. Instead it feels like, we left them. I never forgot the feeling from seeing the lights down below crossing over international waters, after returning from seeing the troops over seas. I also felt as if I left them, when the pilot announced we were over U.S. One of my last encounters with the troops was with a squad from Fort Bragg. A young sergeant wanted to take a picture with me and the solider holding the camera couldn’t stop shaking. He was only about 19, but clearly afraid. So the Sergeant told him that he would be all right. So much is written about the bad apples in the NFL, and not enough is spread about those guys who play by the rules. Many guys who embody the blue collar work ethic, who are just as talented as those players who break the law, are never given the credit they deserve and often times go unnoticed for doing things the right way. Some think most elite players are either on drugs or are violent offenders. While some use their platforms wisely others talk about meaningless events and fail recognize the world around them. When will we take time to acknowledge the “GOOD GUYS’ instead of the knuckle heads? Corey Smith was one the most dynamic players in the NFL. Grant it, he did not have league-leading statistics, but he did more with his natural ability than 98% of active players.
