Sacrifice (Hall of Fame Induction)

"Thanks momma for everything!"

Malcolm X once said, “There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.” Abraham Lincoln got up and said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Then Big Momma said, “It ain’t always gonna be easy but remember that God put you here at this moment in this time to succeed. So now it’s on you to make it happen.”

As I sit and watch the Hall of Fame Induction ceremony as I do annually. I’m always fascinated with the stories told of how these guys have become who they are. I’m interested in hearing of what motivated them to outwork their peers to be able to stand alone at the top of their professions. There are lessons that we all can be motivated by to continue to get better in our own lives.

When Larry Allen told the story of being dominated by the great Reggie White and then deciding that he had to get into the weight room so that never happens again. That one experience pushed him to become the strongest man in the NFL by being able to bench 700 lbs. and squat 900 lbs..

Warren Sapp talked about how he just wanted to retire is mother because she worked to the bone every day. How living on a dirt road behind a truck stop in the dark pushed him to be the best. He amused us by telling the story of learning from his cousin, who was a girl I might add, on how to talk trash and back it up.

 Cris Carter acknowledged his mom who had dropped out of school at 17 and had 7 kids. Then she went back to school at 40 and got her G.E.D. and by 50 had a Master’s degree. He talked about getting cut from the Philadelphia Eagles early in his career by Buddy Ryan because he had a substance abuse problem. His wife was pregnant at the time and at that point he dedicated himself to taking care of his unborn child so he changed his life. He no longer took for granted the talent that God had blessed him with and the rest is history.

The statistics aren't important once they put on the Gold jacket because they all have been acknowledged as one of the very best in their fields. The stats just got them a ticket to the party and now they can dance forever.

I speak to kids all of the time and I tell them this, “There has to be something waking you up every morning besides the desire to eat. There has to be a fire burning inside of you to push you beyond your normal limits. If there isn’t, you’ll never live out your full potential and if you’re cool with that then I’m cool with it because that’s one less person that I’ve got to compete with.”

Everybody wasn’t born with the ability to play professional sports and to become a Hall of Famer. However, everybody was born with a unique gift and it’s up to each one of us to maximize it. Listen to great people tell their stories and use that to motivate you to become the best that you can be at whatever it is you’re doing. Being the best just doesn’t stop at playing sports playboy. You can be an expert in thousands of other fields and still become a Hall of Famer! However, in order to be great you've got to be willing to make the sacrifice! Stop me when I start lyin’!

Holla At Ya Boy!
Jay Graves
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The quote under the caption isn’t real but its REAL talk!