NFL Draft Day

Today is the first day of the NFL draft. You have no idea how thankful I am that it is FINALLY here. Am I eager to see who the number one pick is? No. Am I eager to see who my favorite team (the Colts) pick? No. I am excited that the never-ending predictions and analysis are almost over.

Every morning, my husband and I watch ESPN's Sportscenter. And, every day for the past 2-3 weeks (maybe more--I lose track of time quite easily), they have had segments in which they analyze every team and who they should and should not pick. I am, at the same time, amazed by the analytical skills that these men possess and appalled that they apparently have nothing else to do with their time. I realize it's their job, but come on, it's football. At least the daily predictions are done, but, I'm sure that for the next 2-3 weeks, Sportscenter will have daily segments on how the actual picks will effect the teams in the upcoming season.

Now, you might assume that I really don't like football, but I actually love the game. My husband and I are huge Colts fans, and we have a special fondness for Peyton Manning. As a child, my husband's favorite football player was Archie Manning, Peyton's father. His admiration of Archie was sooooo huge, that my husband was nicknamed "Archie", and to this day, his family still calls him by that name.

My husband was quite the athlete when he was young. His main sports in high school were wrestling and baseball, but he did play football in middle school and junior high. Tim was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy while he was in high school, and he has been in a wheelchair since the age of 30. Since I never knew Tim when he was able to walk, I get a lot of pleasure watching sports with him. He can see plays and moves on the field better than anyone I've ever met, and watching games with him gives me a glimpse of the athlete that he was at one time.

Those skills he used as an athlete have been crucial in his battle with MD. He knows how to assess a situation and make a decision quickly, much like these coaches and team owners are doing in the draft today. Most importantly, though, he is a fighter. He doesn't let adversity get him down. While sports prepared him for this trial, Jesus Christ is what gets him through it. Tim knows that he is nothing without Christ, and it is only by the grace of God that Tim has this sports background and is able to transfer those skills to his current situation.