Mardy Gilyard, a Great Story
You all know that much of my love of sports is wrapped up in the stories. Or, maybe more accurately, the characters. Performance on the field is interesting enough, but I get truly excited when there’s something beyond just that. I’m only marginally interested in following athletes. I’m very interested in following people.
Ordinarily I’d have zero interest in the Cincinnati Bearcats football team. It’s nice that they’re 11-0 and poised to potentially win the Big East championship, but that doesn’t mean much to me. Still, I found myself quite taken with the story of Mardy Gilyard, the Bearcats’ senior receiver.
A sample:
The ledge awaited, and it was narrow. Gilyard wanted to jump off and go home. At home, nobody would let him. He called his mother.
“Mama, I’m coming ho –.” He didn’t get to finish the sentence.
“No, you’re not,” said Ms. Viola Gilyard Crudup, a formidable woman. “And if we see you here, we will ship you back.”
Not much to offer on this one in the way of analysis since the story truly speaks for itself. I recommend giving it a read — the full text is available here.
wow…just wow.
what a great story, thanks for linking to it!
@Tomás – I’m really glad you liked it. I just read it again for probably the fourth time and I’m still blown away. I can’t wait to see what this kid does in the NFL.
ravens 24-20
I wonder if the Ravens would draft Gilyard, given their need at WR and likely position in the next draft.
so markakis did the lighting of the monument last night…HOLY BEARD:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2009-12/50879241.jpg
Very manageable group for the USA in today’s WC draw. England is prone to pooping in the bed and the US is a better team than Slovenia and Algeria.
If Onyewu can get healthy enough in time to neutralize the physicality of Rooney and Crouch, this will be a fun WC for The Great Satan.
@ryan97ou – !!!
/swoons
@Greg – That’s a great question. He’d certainly fit the mold of a Ravens-type player, and the skills fill a need. It’ll be an interesting storyline to follow heading into the draft.
@ryan97ou – Awesome. That’s the look of a man prepared to lead a formerly moribund franchise to new heights.
@Sleepy Julie Foudy – I think it’s clear that the two teams advancing from this group are not England and Algeria. Viva Slovenia, I say. My heritage demands it.
Markakis now fits Neal’s real-man Americana persona and this can only be seen as a good sign. Somebody photoshop an axe on him and we’re golden.
Meanwhile, Chad Moeller resigns on a minor league deal. Solid move, he actually hit well down the stretch and he’s a zero-ego guy.
Mardy Gilyard photos http://themapicus.com/mardy-gilyard.html
that was actually an amazing game. and gilyard ended up with 115 receiving yards, a receiving touchdown, and a 99 yard kick return for a td.
@ryan97ou – I’m glad I was able to find out about that kid — it’ll be fun to have someone to watch as the draft nears. Ordinarily I don’t care much about that stuff.
Kudos to Paul Daugherty at SI.