To get the full power of this month’s message watch Kurt Warner’s Hall of Fame speech. It is just 32 minutes long: Kurt Warner's Hall of Fame Speech | 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame | NFL - YouTube
(Or you can go to YouTube and just type in “Kurt Warner’s Hall of Fame Speech”.
What drove me to find me to watch the HOF speech was watching the movie, “American Underdog”, the story about his life that is now available on DVD.
If you’re not familiar with his story, consider this.
· Went to a small Iowa college
· Sat on the bench all four years – except for the final couple of games
· Didn’t get drafted by the pros
· Got a chance with the Packers finally but got cut in one day
· Got a job in a grocery store stacking shelves all night
· Got an offer to play Arena football
· Finally got a chance to play for the Rams
· Quarterback got hurt and he got his first chance to play
· Took the Rams to the Super Bowl
· Named MVP of the Super Bowl
· Named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Be honest with yourself. Would you have gone through what he did to get where he did? Let’s take another football example – quarterback Tom Brady who sports 7, yes s-e-v-e-n Super Bowl rings. You do realize he was drafted number 199, right?
It is easy to point out examples from sports.
More importantly, look in the mirror and what do you see? How many setbacks have you bounced back from? Being fired? Not getting your dream job or promotion? Having your husband or wife leave you for someone else? Not achieving what you worked so hard at for so long in life? Not getting into the school you wanted? The death of a mate, best friend, parent, child?
How many times in life have you gone through utter disappointment? Something that you didn’t think you could get over?
I don’t know who said it, but I’ve always told myself “The same fire that melts butter forges steel.” Those eight words have been used on many occasions to cancel my personal pity parties – which I was also good at.
Prayer. You’ll see Kurt talk about it and I will, too, but in a different vein. I am so thankful that God didn’t answer so many prayers I had! Guess he knew what I needed time and time again. It wasn’t what I was praying for – that’s for sure.
Unfortunately, I know too many people who are victims. They simply either continue to make excuses and/or can’t understand why things happen TO them. It helps them avoid taking responsibility and doing what it takes to get to their next level in life. Sad.
Simply said, life is a series of choices. Hundreds of them. Wait, literally thousands of them throughout one’s life. How many decisions do you make each day? Or, better yet, don’t make?
Who has been your hero in your life? The person who helped you get through the tough times? Have you thanked them? Watch that HOF speech again and count the people that Warner cites for being there for him in so many ways.
Always nice to see a movie that make us feel good, isn’t it?
