Super Bowl Inspiration and Freebie

A goal is a dream with a deadline....Mark Herzlich

New York Giants Rookie #58 

Bio:  Ht: 6' 4"  Wt: 246  Age: 24

Born: 9/1/1987, Wayne, PA

In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, I wanted to share this inspirational story that all young people need to hear!

Bill Reiter from Fox Sports says this is an honest-to-God miracle!

Here is an excerpt from the article you can find here.

The 24-year-old New York Giants linebacker stood surrounded by more media than a player who recorded 12 tackles all season usually would warrant. But that’s what happens when, landing in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI and suddenly overwhelmed by the moment, you tweet this:

“2 yrs ago I was told I might never walk again. Just WALKED off plane in Indy to play in The #SuperBowl. #TakeThatSh*tCancer.”

Take it indeed, cancer. And, for the rest of us, let’s savor it. Because beyond the final score of the game Sunday, or the heroics or lack thereof of Eli Manning and Tom Brady, or the ballooning brilliance of Tom Coughlin or Bill Belichick — beyond any of it — rests the fact Herzlich will play in the Super Bowl despite two years ago being told he likely never would run again, if he survived at all.

Another great article to share with students is found here.  Here is an excerpt from Tim Dahlbergap's (AP) article:

For a long time, playing in big games seemed to be Herzlich's destiny. He was a dominating player at Boston College, so good he was chosen ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 after having 110 tackles and six interceptions as a junior.

But he kept getting sharp, stabbing pains in his leg that seemed to come at random, often waking him up in the middle of the night. Doctors finally ordered an MRI and diagnosed him in May 2009 with Ewing's sarcoma, a form of bone cancer that is fatal 30-40 percent of the time - and 90 percent of the time if it spreads to other areas of the body.

The diagnosis hit him hard. He went home and upstairs to his room, where he contemplated a future that suddenly wasn't so bright.

''It was tough, very depressing,'' Herzlich said. ''Cancer was just something that never crossed my mind.''

The depression didn't last long. Two hours later, he came down the stairs and told his father that not only was he going to beat the cancer but was going to play football again.

''OK, `' Sandy Herzlich said. ''Let's do it together.''

This young man is a true hero!  What does his story inspire you to do or think or change?  That is a great question to ask our students!

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I don't know who you are pulling for today, but I am pulling for Mark!  He is a winner!

Sandi