Somehow in the hustle and bustle…and website issues…of last week I managed to publish all of the regular things I usually send out on MySaline except my own article. Don’t you hate when that happens??? So, with that in mind, this week will have a little more content and then we will dive off into the sports of the season with a quick recap and look ahead!
So, let’s get to it!
I mentioned in my last article that I was a member of the Little Rock Touchdown Club and the last two weeks of guests have been some hum dingers! I’m talking football Hall of Fame, Greatest of All Time caliber athletes. It was pretty fantastic.
Let’s start with Brett Favre. That’s right ladies and gents, I said Brett freaking Favre!
Let’s just go ahead and get the truth of the matter out of the way. I have a HUGE crush on Brett Favre (it’s no secret, my husband totally knows). I grew up watching all things football with my dad and have always been a fan and Favre was my first football love. So I was totally fangirling and I absolutely held it together…even after everyones favorite Razorback fan, Cannan Sandy, had his picture made right before me and laid a big ole smooch right on Favre’s cheek. I figured repeating that behavior could land me in the clink, or at the very least in hot water with my hubby, so I kept my composure.
Nevertheless, Brett Favre was every single thing that I expected from him. From the second he walked through the door, donning athletic shorts, tennis shoes, and baseball cap, and t-shirt that read “everything hurts” (maybe the only speaker who hasn’t shown up in his Sunday best) he was unashamedly himself. True to what he projected during his playing years and looking, at first glance, like he could still knock you out with a long TD throw, he brushed off the multiple standing ovations and tipped his cap as he took his place of honor.
I think that may be the thing that I have always appreciated most about Favre, other than his hard nosed, do whatever it takes to get the job done playing style, is that he doesn’t seem to pretend to be someone he isn’t. At one point he even went so far as to say “Look, not everybody is gonna like me, and that’s fine. I try to, you know, do the best I can, but I’m not gonna be something I’m not.”
He also told some great anecdotal stories about growing up in Mississippi, his illustrious Football career, and even an opportunity to be reunited with a young cancer survivor who idolizes him and whom he gave words of encouragement while he was battling Osteosarcoma (thankfully the young man is now in full remission).
Most importantly, though as I said before Favre definitely looked like he could still go, he will be the first to tell you that looks are deceiving. Let’s revisit that “everything hurts” t-shirt and understand that it wasn’t just a cute little t-shirt. It’s obviously true. And on the back end of an incredible career Favre is using his platform to draw attention to an issue that tis plaguing football – no matter what age – the CTE issue. In case you don’t know, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, is a progressive degenerative disease affecting people who have suffered repeated concussions and traumatic brain injuries, that may occur in some athletes and others who have been exposed to concussions and repetitive head impacts. After making a couple of jokes about turning 50 (I am still trying to wrap my brain around that) he made direct comments about the “brain fog” he experiences, most likely as a result of the repeated concussions he suffered during his playing years – he played in 321 games so that’s absolutely understandable. In an attempt to continue to draw attention to this issue Favre has served as Executive Produce for a recently released documentary, Concussed: The American Dream, that was recently released to several streaming services. If you are as interested in watching as I am you can find viewing information here.
Being able to share space with this legend, and especially getting to have our picture made with him, was an amazing opportunity I never dreamed we would be able to have. And it was super freaking cool.
READ MORE BELOW
And then there is this week. For some people this week’s speaker is a little bit controversial because he doesn’t have a spotlessly clean background like, say, a Peyton Manning (he spoke to the LRTDC last year and was phenomenal…even though he didn’t do pictures…but I digress). I instantly recognized this mans name and I will admit I had absolutely forgotten that there was ever an ounce of controversy surrounding him until the internet trolls started chiming in.
Regardless of your feelings of him off the field I believe we can all agree that, on the field, Ray Lewis is not just a dude…he is THE dude…specifically when it comes to sacks and interceptions in the NFL. At the end of his crazy career with the Baltimore Ravens, 17 seasons with the same team (his entire career) he is the only player in the NFL history with at least 40 career sacks and 30 career interceptions (41.5 sacks and 31 interceptions). And I’m pretty sure he could still suit up and lay a lick if he needed to – he certainly still has the mindset for it.
As for his guilt or innocence on matters off the field I truly believe that is none of my business and he certainly doesn’t answer to me. What I saw and heard during this luncheon was truly inspiring as Lewis still has a fire in his belly that he is eager and willing to share with anyone who wants to listen.
He spoke first about his childhood and the love and respect he has for his mother – who still lives with him after all these years. He shared what it was like to come from nothing, be shuffled around from house to house when his mom couldn’t financially afford him, growing up fatherless and ultimately restoring that relationship before his father past, and – of course – he talked football…what it’s like to be a great and to play against the other greats…specifically Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Brett Favre.
And as I said on my personal Facebook page when I posted the picture (above) of myself, my husband, and Ray Lewis, it is my firm belief that you can’t have a {Test}imony without a Test and this oozes out of everything that Lewis says and does. He was quoted as saying this, and I think it pretty much sums it all up nicely: “I’m 49 years old. My partners will tell you, I have the same routine that I had (as an athlete). Sports will end one day, but life as a man is always continuing. What you want to be and who you want to be and how you want to be defined, that’s based off what you actually come through. Everyone has been through many storms.” Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Next up on the LRTDC agenda is another great Eric Dickerson. Due a work funderaiser this week…click here for the details on that…I won’t be live for this one but I will have a recap along with our regular weekly updates!
Let’s talk local sports…
Last week was week zero for a lot of the local football teams so let’s see how we stacked up…
Bryant 52 – Benton 42: in the 50th Anniversary Edition of the Salt Bowl the Bryant Hornets found themselves once again holding up that coveted winners trophy. The Panthers definitely gave them a run for their money and proved themselves to be formidable opponents…and not to be overlooked!
Bauxite: The Miners defeated the Forrest City Mustangs 21 – 19 at The Pit
Harmony Grove: The Cardinals lost a tough non-conference game to the Clinton Yellowjackets at their home field.
Benton and Bryant also faced off in girls volleyball with the Battle of the B-Towns Championship where Benton took the W for the 3rd consecutive year with a score of 3-2.
Next up this week…
Bryant will take on Christian Brothers College High School tonight at 6:00 in Missouri (watch the game here)
Benton – Off this week
Bauxite will take on the Billies of Monticello tonight in Monticello at 7:00
Harmony Grove – Off this week
Know of some scores I’m missing out on and want to see your favorite team get a mention? Be sure to drop their info in the comments…I’ll be watching!
Read more from How the Ball Bounces with Bekka in the archives at www.mysaline.com/bounces.
About the author: Bekka Wilkerson is a lifelong lover of all things sports. Raised in a super athletic household it was no surprise when she too began to love sports at a young age. It seems like from the time she could walk she had a softball bat in her hands, but her true athletic passion came from all things Basketball. That love served her well as a Bryant High School Lady Hornet and ultimately earned her a full scholarship to play at the University of Central Arkansas – among many other adventures.
These days Bekka can be found running around Saline County with her husband, Speedy, or chasing one of her grandsons. She is also the Executive Director of The EMpact One Foundation, a Saline County Nonprofit Organization that helps young people stay connected to extracurricular activities through tuition assistance and equipment provisions.
Reach out to Bekka with questions and/or ideas about things you want to see in this column at [email protected] and learn more about The EMpact One Foundation at www.empactone.org.