 Wysłany: Czw 11:15, 31 Mar 2011 Temat postu: Brady Quinn Jersey |
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| Notre Dame football: Brady Quinn Jersey turns to faith in the wake of a teammate’s suicide
When Brady Quinn Jersey was traded to Denver last March, one of the first Broncos to extend a hand and offer friendship was Kenny McKinley. "When Kenny walked in, he lit up a room," the former Notre Dame quarterback said. "He was that kind of guy; always with a smile. He was the guy who was the life of the party." Brady Quinn Jersey thought he knew McKinley; he thought they shared more than the same payday as professional football players. On Sept. 20, Brady Quinn Jersey realized he didn't know the real Kenny McKinley at all. The kick returner was found dead from what was determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Just a few days before, Daily Inspiration from Pray.nd.edu, a compilation of inspiring essays originating from the Notre Dame community,NFL Jerseys, had asked Brady Quinn Jersey for a submission. He was at a loss. A prayerful young man, Brady Quinn Jersey, who will be 26 later this month, struggled for a topic. McKinley's death triggered a flow directly from Brady Quinn Jersey's heart. "I originally planned on writing about the aspects of my faith that have been vital to my life, but after the news I received tonight, I think God had a different message in mind. A teammate of mine took his life today." Brady Quinn Jersey quoted the passage from Psalm 39:4-5, that "Life is but a Breath." Then, went on with his own thoughts and feelings. "The news of someone dying always puts things into perspective. It gives us clarity to what really matters in life. It reminds us of how fragile life can be and how it can be taken away at any moment. It gives us the chance to reflect on our own lives and see who we are. Am I the person I desire to be? Am I a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ? Am I impacting the lives of others by spreading the word of the Lord? Am I sacrificing each day for the glory of our Jesus Christ? When I take a moment to stop and answer these questions, I realize how far off course I've strayed from my destination. I find myself consumed by my day-to-day activities instead of demonstrating true devotion to His word. Social norms have manipulated us to long for entertainment, rather than faith and fellowship. Our idea of "friendship" is defined as a request through the Internet, instead of a face-to-face relationship. We close ourselves off to the world and think we can face all our problems on our own; or even better, by receiving affirmation through a social networking website. It is this disconnection from each other that keeps us from the bond God intended for us." Earlier this week, Brady Quinn Jersey talked about the impact McKinley's death has had on his life. He never saw it coming. Obvious pain was carefully and completely hidden. It was a message to Brady Quinn Jersey to work harder to know people better. It was a call for him to make the effort. "We get bogged down in so many small and insignificant problems," said Brady Quinn Jersey. "We have an opportunity to have an impact on other people. We have to try to reach out, get to know people on a different level; what's going on in their lives." While the McKinley situation is going on around him, Brady Quinn Jersey has had to deal with his private challenge. Dispatched from Cleveland, where he was a starter. New city. New coaching staff. Forced into a limited role as Kyle Orton's backup. With heralded rookie Tim Tebow on his heels. "There've been a lot of adjustments," Brady Quinn Jersey said. "On and off the field." Everything from a new home to a new church. "Finding the right church was difficult," Brady Quinn Jersey said. "You want something that can be a crutch; you want something you can lean on in tough times." Pressure is part of a professional athlete's daily routine. Money's nice. Plenty of perks. Visibility's part of the territory. But, they're not immune to the peaks and valleys. Professional football players aren't as invincible as they seem in their armor every Sunday. "Sometimes, when something like this happens, this platform (as a professional athlete) can be used to make a positive impact," Brady Quinn Jersey said. "This is an opportunity to make a commitment to be more real; to be more open as a person. "I grew up in a family that was faith-based. My mom sent me Bible verses before every game; she still does. One of the reasons I chose Notre Dame was its spiritual role. "I am a Christian. It made me the man I want to be." It helped him deal with a traumatic event. It gave him comfort in a difficult time. It gave him the courage to speak his mind. |
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