Some of you asked me to post my inspirational speech on here from tonights football game. Honestly, I dont know how I made it through without losing it. Actually, I did after Tim Duffey hugged me. So, here it is: A spirited young lad once asked his Granddaddy this question: What does it mean to have the heart of a lion? Well, his Granddaddy replied, the Good Book says that lions are bold and theyre the mightiest among the beasts, but I cannot recall any mention about a lions heart. Personally, however, I think that having the heart of a lion means that you have the courage and pride to always give your best, despite all of the odds that you may encounter. Years later, while sitting in the stands and gazing across Lion Valley, this much older lad reflects on his Granddaddys words of so long ago. On the horizon, he sees the lights of a field amid a cloud of dust, where Caroline Conerly and Cade North just led the softball team to another region championship. Theres the band practice field, where, with a setting sun as their backdrop, Neil Ruby and his kids put hours and hours into their halftime show, recently resulting in a 33rd grand championship in 16 years. It is Rosie Eason and our volleyball team advancing to the next round of the state playoffs. It is Clara Beth Denney and Jasmine Pittman and our cheerleaders with their continual cheers of encouragement. It is those of us in the stands wearing pink in support of our loved ones, like Ms. Theresa Stapler, who is courageously battling cancer. It is Coach Burchfield and Mama June devoting decades of their time and energy to support us kids. It is in this very press box, where my good friend, Tim Duffey, calls our games, a tradition his father, James, started in 1961. So, as our beloved Lions take the field tonight, I ask each and every one of you, as you cheer on Wesley Long, Max Whitlock, Kirey Thompson, and Dijour Riddle, this question: What does it mean to have the heart of a Lion? It means courage. it means determination. It means pride. It means love. It means Whitesburg. It means Roopville. And, it means Central. We. ARE. Central.
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 02:37:43 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015