Renwick Beverly

             The most valuable player of the day is the 1976 Philadelphia all-star and the Friends Central’s starting linebacker Renwick Beverly. Renwick Beverly just in case you didn’t know which would be bad, is my dad. My dad means so much to me in life and has taught me everything I know today. Kurt Warner, Ray Lewis and all the other people I wrote about have influenced me, but none like my dad.

            My dad means everything to me and is the greatest dad in the world and he wasn’t too shabby as a football player, being the captain of the football team. He has pushed me to play sports but never too far. He has always been there for me and will not stop. I could go on and on about my dad but I’ll end it saying that I love him with all of my heart.

            Coming in with the player of the day is by far my favorite. Renwick Beverly

Tom Brady

            Perhaps the best attribute of a player is their ability to read plays and their ability to think under pressure. These quarterbacks have the all the things needed to win a super bowl and make it to the pro bowl. 3 time super bowl winner and 7 time pro bowl athlete Tom Brady has everything going for him. Tom Brady has broken numerous records and continues to be one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. With his contributions to the game I am honoring Tom Brady as player of the day.

            Personally I hate Tom Brady but you have to respect him as a player. He has been awarded MVP of 2 Super Bowls and was almost awarded the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX when he defeated the eagles. He obviously cheated by taking pictures of the eagles play book and ruined our chances of winning, but you have to forgive and forget (which I am not going to do.) Tom Brady has taught me not to cheat because karma sucks a lot. The following season he suffered an injury that kept him out of the Pro Bowl. Also, the Patriots organization was fined and there story was all over the news and their egos were ruined.

            So with his influence on me and contributions to the game I am honoring Tom Brady as player of the day.

Jim Brown

           

Jim Brown. What more can you say about him, I’m going to try but once you hear that name it sets a spark in your brain. There are a few words that come to mind once I hear that name and it may come to your mind to. Power house, adversity, a believer, fearless all these traits were in this running back. He is not only influential to me for his running style but because of the adversity he overcame. He was around during segregation and when the NFL had few African- American players. He was robbed of his Heisman when he went to Syracuse and that made him upset but, he turned his anger into power and that I find is extremely important. As my former coach said, “On the field they’re your enemy, but after the game they can still be your friend.” With his contributions to the game and history, I am honoring Jim Brown as the player of the day.

               

Brown made a change on the field and one off. He has gone into acting, writing and even has his own foundation. Jim’s foundations funds kids who are growing up in urban communities and caught up in the gang scene. He teaches them about the importance of life and how short it is.  He teaches them many things and donates to poor environments across the country. He is someone who is definitely worth being looked up to him. Personally the way he acted the way he did with all the racism and how he didn’t let it faze him means a lot to me. The things he went through and how he was able to forget about so quickly is influential to me because it teaches me that, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only love can do that,” quote by Martin Luther King Jr.

               

 Jim Brown is an all around athlete on the field and off and that is why I am honoring him as player of the day.

Madieu Williams

              
                Walter Payton is probably the best running back to play the game of football.  Walter Payton is the Pele of football. He is a very influential player with his running style and his personality. But, that is not who I am honoring today. I am honoring Madieu Williams. The reason I talked about Walter Payton  is because he has an award named after him for his foundations and charities. Madieu Williams is the latest winner of this award and that is why I am honoring him as player of the day.
              

  Madieu Williams was drafted in the 2004 draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He has had nearly 400 solo tackles in only 8 seasons which is pretty good. But with his foundation, he stands out over everyone. His latest cause has had him donate to tackle illnesses in his home country. He has pushed me to donate more in my community just like Kurt Warner. He is well deserving of the Walter Payton award and is influential to many people. With his contribution to influence me and many countries, I am honoring him as player of the day.

Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis is truly an intimidator. He leaves it all on the field and influences every linebacker that plays the game. His love for the game and his courage that he plays every down with is unbelievable. Ray Lewis could retire now but he still feels there’s something else he could do to change the game. Ray Lewis has said, “Anytime I step out there I give everything I got, on every single play.” That is a coach’s dream, someone who will give it 110% every time he steps out on the field. I feel that Ray Lewis is such an influential person and such a great player he is like a founding father of the game. Ray Lewis is the only linebacker I want to be like right now. Ray Lewis will soon be honored by the Hall of Fame but for right now I am going to honor him as player of the day.

Ray Lewis is the captain of the Ravens defense and the heart of the team to. I would like to be a leader of my team’s defense but it doesn’t always happen that way. I don’t like it but Ray Lewis agrees with that decision. He stated that, “I’m willing to serve.  Before I lead any other man into anything I’m willing to take the hard falls myself but also come back and share the pains that came from it.  Don’t waste this moment.  Don’t make no foolish mistake on the field or off the field.” You have to work to become a leader and that is what his quote is all about.

People a lot of times say that life is to short. Neyo said that for all we know we might not get tomorrow. These things are 100% true. Ray Lewis put’s this in football terms and what he says I live by. He says, “The greatest opportunity in the world is found here today…We already know what yesterday has got for us.  It’s already gone.  Tomorrow, too far away.  What about right now!” That one quote has influenced my game and how I play.

With his influence on me and probably every football player in the world, I am honoring him as player of the day.

LeSean McCoy

It was fun while it lasted. Being one of the tallest people in the grade is always an exhilarating feeling but that will soon end. By the time we get in high school Ben will still be taller than me and Michael and Brandon might even pass me. But size doesn’t matter and a great example of that is the 5 ’11 Shady McCoy. He is a running back that runs with a reason every time and leaves the sign of intimidation on the faces of his opponents. I won’t shrink in size or at least I hope not but there will always be people taller than me. With his size is no matter motto, I am honoring LeSean McCoy as player of the day.

LeSean McCoy is truly a beast on the field. With his running style he was fourth on the NFL rushing leaders list for the 2011 regular season. He has showed me in the games I have seen, that the bigger they are the harder they fall. He is truly a David and Goliath story. He will do anything to get through or around his opponent and the courage that takes is a lot. Playing basketball this season I have been one of the shortest centers on the court in every game except one. But, I used that same aggression “Shady” McCoy uses each game. I have been able to box them out and get rebounds. I have learned in these past years watching shady that it’s not the size of the dog in the fight… It’s the size of the fight in the dog.

With his contributions to the game and to me, I am honoring LeSean “Shady” McCoy as player of the day.

Michael Orr

My family means so much to me and our definitely my favorite teammates. My parents are my two best blockers leading a path for my sister and I to follow. My sister is definitely my favorite coach, always giving me advice and being there for me whenever I may need it. Family can definitely raise you up in many ways and I feel Michael Orr can relate to me in many ways. For his contributions to the game but also his love for his family I am honoring him as player of the day.

Michael Orr has seen the best of family and the lows to. As he grew up he did not live the best of lives. He grew up in the projects with nothing to look up to. His friends said he wouldn’t make it out and his parents didn’t help that cause. His father committed suicide when he was young and his mother had a drug addiction. He was homeless, but then when a family noticed him walking alone on the street knowing he was homeless took him into their home. The story goes on and you can learn more about it in a movie about his life called The Blind Side, staring Sandra Bullock.  Family has certainly been an important part in his life. Our stories are extremely different but if we were to talk about family our moral would be the same. We could get nowhere without them and we both love them very much.

With his influential life story and his love for his family, Michael Orr is the player of the day.

Michael Vick

An interview with Michael Vick talks about his rebound to the NFL. He knows he messed up and he admitted it, but he knew he could do better. Through the ruff Michael Vick knows there will be grass and he continues to search for it.  He has not let the media affect him in anyway as he brushes off his shoulders and that is why I am honoring him as player of the day.

This interview talks about how he got caught up when he was dogfighting and how know he is one of the highest paid people in the NFL. I think he is well deserving of being paid what he is because he is still a good player. Even though his personality is not the best you can’t judge him on one event. He is probably going to have a tough time getting back his image but I know he will. He is truly a fighter and he is another player deserving of being the player of the day.

Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow, Tim Tebow. There are many things to say about him, some good but others bad. But one thing that certainly stands out about him is his faith. He is a Christian just like me. I don’t always feel extremely comfortable talking about my faith to others but Tebow doesn’t care as he shouldn’t. He is someone I look up to when it comes maintaining a clear and good attitude towards faith and that is why I’m honoring him as player of the day.

I’m sure you’ve heard of Tebowing. I find it interesting how people get all amped up because after all he is just praying. After every game he tebow’s but I find that is extremely important and I should start doing it more. Well not Tebowing but praying but you know what I mean. After every game I should thank God for giving me the opportunity to even play in this game. There are many people in the world who don’t even get a proper education. This is extremely sad and there is poverty in all of the world. I am having fun joking with my friends playing basketball when there are kids working in mines and suffering from horrible diseases. Every day is truly a day to be thankful and Tebow has shown me that. Even though he is a rookie and still has ways to go in the NFL he is truly influential to me.

I wish Tebow all the luck in the NFL and that he continues to spread Christianity in the world. He is truly an influential figure in many ways.

Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers is a name who will not soon be forgotten anytime soon. Four years ago he rose out of the shadows of a future hall of famer Brett Farvre. He was drafted in the first round in the 2005 NFL draft but was never given a shot. He rode the bench playing less than 3 games a season. But, in 2008 he finally got his shot. Aaron Rodgers said his first season starting, “I'm going to keep plugging away. I've said from the start that whatever happens happens as long as I continue to get better. That's what's frustrating because I didn't get better. I didn't make strides where I wanted to. Obviously I didn't make a strong case for being No. 2 tonight.”He followed up on his word improving in every aspect of the game and showing lots of courage. Only 4 seasons later and he nearly led his team to a perfect season going 15-1. That shows the ability to be a team player and leader and he certainly deserves to be honored as player of the day.

Since I hope to play linebacker in high school he has shown me what to do. I know it may seem weird considering that he is a quarter back and I’m a linebacker but the leadership he has shown me has definitely influenced me. The quarterback is the heart of the offense and nine times out of ten the linebacker is the heart of the defense. He has showed me how to push my teammates to strive for the best. When I played Pop Warner I was placed on the offensive line. I was furious with my coaches’ decision and wasn’t given a chance to play defense. I was riding the bench on defense and was only occasionally put in. One day my coaches gave me a chance. It was fourth down and our opponent was going for a 2pt. conversion. Hike was called and that set a spark off in me. I threw the left tackle off of me like a ragdoll and forced a fumble. The coaches saw what I had in me and I played defense a few more games. Just like Aaron Rodgers, I took the shot the coaches gave me and turned it into something.

When you fall down you must get back up and turn it into something else. The time I had forced the fumble I got back up. I didn’t tell you about the play prior to that because it is embarrassing. But, it fits in the moment. The play I didn’t tell you about I was the one getting manhandled. But when you fall down you must get back up. There are many stories, songs you name it, movies about this motto. Aaron Rodgers even had his own version of this saying at a press conference, “Tonight is not a setback. It's just a learning experience.” That’s why I believe that everybody makes mistakes, but it’s what they do after those setbacks that determine (in this case) what type of player they are and Aaron Rodgers is a good one.

Troy Polamalu

Troy Polamalu is a safety for the generations. He plays with enthusiasm but finds ways to not make everything serious. I think he is similar to me in ways but of course I’m not as good of a football player as him. I think our personalities are alike and he is definitely the football player I’d most like to be like. With his effort to the game and his influence on me, I am honoring him as player of the day.

Troy Polamalu does not only to contribute to the NFL but he gives back to his community also. Troy and his wife have a foundation which aids people from his home town. Troy seems like he is a person who does not let the spotlight catch up with him, always one step ahead. He is constantly contributing to his foundation and others to. Giving back what the people around him gave him.

Troy Polamalu is truly an all-around player. He is a great player during the game and after it to. He is someone who I would like to be like. Just like him I believe no dream is too big. He is influential in many ways but what I like the most about him is that he challenges himself every game. He is unmistakably one of the best safties in the NFL but he still feels he can improve. He has pushed me to believe to never settle for anything less than perfect. Troy Polamalu said, “There are still a lot of things I need to work on. I'm not there yet, I'm far from there. ..” I think Troy is well deserving of  being on my list for the things he’s done in my life and others.

Brian Dawkins

Brian Dawkins is a player who certainly plays with a lot of heart. That is especially important when it comes to sports, coaches and me. I believe that you should leave 110% on the field every time you play a game. The first time I saw Brian Dawkins play in third grade I immediately knew that is someone I want to be like. Brian Dawkins is definitely an influential person wherever he goes. While he was in Philadelphia he was the heart of the team and even considered the heart of the city.

            Brian Dawkins left everything on the field every game as an eagle and now a bronco. He is a great player and an influential figure. I think someday he definitely deserves to be in the Hall of fame.  He is a person who has taught me much of how you can play with all your heart but maintain control. What I mean by that is you can play hard but you can be a clean player while you’re doing that. I find Brian Dawkins an incredible person and deserves to be honored as the player of the day.

Jerome Simpson

Jerome Simpson is a football player that has certainly gone through the worst. He lost a former teammate and friend Chris Henry due to a tragic accident. But, He has certainly played for a reason these past few years turning anger into something to fight for. In week 13 he had the highlight of the NFL season by flipping over a cornerback that was six feet tall. With his contributions to the game of football itself I am honoring him as player of the day.

Coaches at a young age always told me to play for something. My former coach Joe always said, “Off the field they can be your friends, but on the field they’re your enemies.” Jerome Simpson took that to a whole new level. He has had some of his best seasons recently and certainly his best highlights. I can’t really relate to what he was going through but I think the way he fights through hard times should be recognized. He is truly a person that doesn’t get rattled and I think that is extremely important especially when it comes to sports.

Jerome Simpson is a great football player and I think deserves to be honored along with the whole entire Cincinnati Bengals organization. (I recommend not trying his highlight at home though!)

Kurt Warner

            Many people see one side of a person through the media including Kurt Warner. That has benefited him in ways but has altered his egos in others. Kurt Warner has seen better times when it comes to the tabloids. When he and his wife were going through tough times he was not seen as a great man and despised by few people. But, what many people don’t see is his ability to put things to the side and move on. He worked on his marriage and later founded a foundation. Kurt Warner is a person who was determined not to get caught up in the spotlight. In many ways he influences other people like me to donate to their community. Kurt Warner’s foundation First & First, donates to the people who are less fortunate in life. That is why I am honoring him as player of the day.

In my years of playing football I have seen the highs and the lows. I have sprained my shoulder tackling wrong and in third grade suffered a spinal injury (these were not too serious though). These events that I have undergone have made me angry. They have caused me to feel like I needed to isolate myself from the bad stuff in life. As a quarterback Kurt Warner has had much more severe injuries but he continued to let nothing bring him down. After getting drafted into the NFL in 1999 Kurt Warner started his own foundation donating to the community.

As a quarterback he has also influenced me. He was MVP of Super Bowl XXXIV and has an NFL record to himself. He is truly an all-around player. He can make a play on and off the field!

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