many of my closest colleagues and friends (especially Cavs' fans) have reminded me time and time again, since the Celtics knocked off the Cavaliers in what seems like months ago, how much they despise every member of this year's Celtics squad! to which i usually reply, "even Ray Allen?" well, i must say that they are certainly entitled to their opinions regardless of whatever off-court evidence i have at my disposal; nevertheless, i will present my case for the athlete and father who i have come to idolize.
it is news to no one that professional athletes are the first to be criticized for their obscene salaries and on- and off-the field antics; however, a lot less energy and attention is paid to the ways in which some of these male & female athletes assume exemplary roles in their families and communities. take for example, the late roberto clemente who played right field for the pittsburgh pirates from 1955-72 and who tragically lost his life in an airplane crash en route to deliver some emergency relief to victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua. moreover, olympic long-jumper and heptathlete, jackie joyner-kersee--recognizing the need to help youth, parents and families improve their quality of life--established a foundation with her husband and co-founded "athletes for hope" to encourage other professional athletes to get involved in their local communities. there are many other athletes (including former NFL quarterbacks, doug flutie and boomer esiason) whose biggest opponents are not the three-hundred pound linemen that they face every Sunday, but rather the incurable diseases that plague their children and families. all parties considered, i would undoubtedly include celtics shooting guard, ray allen, in this discussion and company.
it was just hours before game 5 of the 2008 NBA finals, ray and his wife, shannon, received news from their 2-yr old son's pediatrician that walker had been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. since my mother suffers from diabetes, i certainly can imagine the feelings of helplessness and uncertainty that surfaced probably immediately for ray and shannon. i guess it is particularly easy for me to empathize with their family.
may walker allen, mary kerrigan and all those men, women and children who struggle daily with the discomfort and pain of diabetes have the support to help improve their quality of life.
Christ's comfort and hope,
tk
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