The NFL Draft

Yesterday and today, 32 million people (I'm guessing mostly males) were glued to their televisions, watching the NFL Draft (National Football League), where the top College football players are selected by one of the 32 professional teams. What lessons can we learn from a sport not known for its sensitivity and refinement?

​

I once read an op-ed in Sports Illustrated about NFL quarterback Jake Plummer. In 2007, at 32 years of age and healthy, the All-Pro Plummer was on track to make $5 million for the coming season. And then he retired. Just like that. Why leave the average American male's dream? To spend more time with family & enjoy life.

Plummer had a teammate with a fascinating life story, named Pat Tillman. Tillman also left football at the prime of his career; but for a different reason. He left to serve his country, enlisting in the army. He was soon sent off to Afghanistan, and was tragically killed in 2004. At his funeral, Plummer had this to say:

I was in the store the other day, and I saw PEOPLE magazine, and it had the cover of the 50 most beautiful people in the world, or in America, and there was a picture of Pat. It was kind of ironic because I really looked and said, What is beauty? Is beauty a pretty face, a nice smile, flowing hair, nice skin? Not to me, it's not. To me beauty is living life to higher standards, stronger morals and ethics and believing in them, whether people tell you you're right or wrong. Beauty is not wasting a day. Beauty is noticing life's little intricacies and taking time out of your busy day to really enjoy those little intricacies. Beauty is being real, being genuine, being pure with no facade - what you see is what you get. Beauty is expanding your mind, always seeking knowledge, not being content, always going after something and challenging yourself."

Such true words. I don't know if I could have this clarity if I was worshiped by millions of adoring fans, immersed in fame and fortune. Real beauty is not transient. It does not wrinkle or fade. When one dies, his muscles and wealth don't accompany him, but his Torah & good deeds do. "Beauty is living life to higher standards, not wasting a day, noticing life's intricacies, expanding your mind, not being content." Let's take advantage of every day.