In 1967, when the old Baltimore Colts came to Los Angeles for a game against the Rams, I phoned Raymond Berry, the great receiver for the Colts. I had met Raymond a couple of years earlier when he agreed to serve on an advisory board for a youth football program I was running in southern California.
He invited me to his hotel room, and when I arrived he and Jim Ward, a backup quarterback to the legendary Johnny Unitas, were watching a college game on TV. It was the day before the last game in Raymond’s career. We talked awhile, then we all got absorbed in the game. In between plays, Jim related a story to me about Raymond. Raymond was listening, but I could tell he was a bit uncomfortable that anyone would be praising him.
It seems that in one game, the previous season, Unitas threw an uncatchable ball to Raymond that landed behind him. Raymond had made a twisting effort, but he didn’t catch it. The entire next week, after the regular practice, Raymond had Jim Ward go over with him to a long jump pit. Raymond stood at one end, with his back to the pit, Jim at the other end. Jim would throw a football into the pit, then yell, “Now,” as the ball was descending. Raymond would whip around and dive to catch the ball.
Day after day they would do this, and toward the end of the week, he finally caught every ball thrown. One day, another player came up to Raymond and said, “Man, this is crazy. When will Johnny ever throw you a bad ball again?” “Maybe never,” Raymond answered, “but if he does, the next time I’ll catch it.”
As Ward finished his story, I looked over at Raymond. He was just smiling with his modest, “Aw shucks,” manner. It didn’t surprise me that when Raymond was eligible for the Football Hall of Fame in 1973, he was easily voted in. Not bad for a receiver with poor eyesight, less than blazing speed, and who had to wear special shoes because one leg was shorter than the other.
Hindsight: Average Abilities + Personal Shortcomings + Dedicated Goal + Hard Work (CAN =) Greatness
He invited me to his hotel room, and when I arrived he and Jim Ward, a backup quarterback to the legendary Johnny Unitas, were watching a college game on TV. It was the day before the last game in Raymond’s career. We talked awhile, then we all got absorbed in the game. In between plays, Jim related a story to me about Raymond. Raymond was listening, but I could tell he was a bit uncomfortable that anyone would be praising him.
It seems that in one game, the previous season, Unitas threw an uncatchable ball to Raymond that landed behind him. Raymond had made a twisting effort, but he didn’t catch it. The entire next week, after the regular practice, Raymond had Jim Ward go over with him to a long jump pit. Raymond stood at one end, with his back to the pit, Jim at the other end. Jim would throw a football into the pit, then yell, “Now,” as the ball was descending. Raymond would whip around and dive to catch the ball.
Day after day they would do this, and toward the end of the week, he finally caught every ball thrown. One day, another player came up to Raymond and said, “Man, this is crazy. When will Johnny ever throw you a bad ball again?” “Maybe never,” Raymond answered, “but if he does, the next time I’ll catch it.”
As Ward finished his story, I looked over at Raymond. He was just smiling with his modest, “Aw shucks,” manner. It didn’t surprise me that when Raymond was eligible for the Football Hall of Fame in 1973, he was easily voted in. Not bad for a receiver with poor eyesight, less than blazing speed, and who had to wear special shoes because one leg was shorter than the other.
Hindsight: Average Abilities + Personal Shortcomings + Dedicated Goal + Hard Work (CAN =) Greatness
1 comment:
As I look back upon the growth of a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit, I repeatedly recognize the importance of being faithful in the little things: God has big things in mind for those who hear and obey.
Post a Comment