Week 18 Crystal Ball: The Power of Football
Well, football fans, it has been one rollercoaster of a week, hasn’t it?
We began on Monday with the horrible situation involving Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin, the second-year player who tragically experienced cardiac arrest in the Bills’ game at Cincinnati.
The video of Hamlin’s sudden, frightening collapse shook many of us to our core and unleashed a range of emotions. Shock. Sadness. Worry. Fear. All of them valid, all of them understandable.
Fortunately, as the week has progressed, Hamlin has made remarkable strides, even communicating with family members and teammates. An amazing turn of events and I join the millions of folks praising God and thanking professionals like fast-acting Buffalo assistant trainer Denny Kellington.
And that, Hamlin’s recovery, remains the most important thing. Everyone wants this young man to return to health, whether he gets back on the field or not. So, we will continue to pray, and the medical professionals will continue to do the amazing work that they do.
Now, I don’t know Hamlin but given what we’ve all read about his competitiveness and his fighter’s mentality, I’d be surprised if he doesn’t want - and plan to - return to the field once he clears the many hurdles that remain. That’s how football players and so many other athletes are wired.
The idea that Hamlin would consider playing likely shocks some people, but I believe it’s important to realize that many of the blessings this young man has are due to the game of football. An excellent education at the University of Pittsburgh. A career that many men dream of as young boys. Amazing relationships. And likely much, much more.
After all, even a small-time guy like me can relate. You see, like Mr. Hamlin and so many others, I owe much of what I have in life to football as well.
Where do I begin?
I’ll start in high school as, returning to central Illinois after four years in Colorado, I was immediately welcomed by a group of great guys who would become wonderful teammates and lifelong friends at Morton High School.
That’s the power of football, as Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson likes to say.
Because of football, I wound up at the University of Illinois and made great friends like center Pat Wendt and so many others. And I wound up with a roommate by the name of Darren Boyer, a relationship that would dramatically affect the trajectory of my life.
We were an odd couple, Darren and I. He was born in England, of Jamaican ancestry, and raised in Canada. A fast, quick running back with a rippling physique. He would become the Illini’s offensive MVP in his senior season of 1992.
I was an offensive lineman, as white as snow. I enjoyed rippled ice cream and missed much of my college career due to injury. In fact, I only started two games in five years.
Yet, somehow, we bonded as football brothers and remain close to this day.
That’s the power of football.
I owe my first job to the sport - and to my man “D,” as I call him. After I transferred to Lehigh and was about to graduate, he introduced me to his former girlfriend who was working as a journalist at Dow Jones Newswires. She was kind enough to help me get an interview in New York City.
The process was grueling as I had to take a lengthy test to be considered for a role and, then, after taking that test, was asked to submit to a three-day tryout to see if I was Dow Jones-worthy. I was eventually given an entry-level position at DJ in 1993 and my hiring manager made the offer this way:
“Randy, you did ok on the test and your tryout was decent but the reason we’re hiring you is because of how you persevered through injury to finish your college football career. That stood out to me. Welcome to Dow Jones.”
That’s the power of football.
About a decade later, another former Lehigh football player, my pal THE BRUISER, connected me with a lovely young lady from Philadelphia. You may know her as THE FAIR CLAUDINE. Yet another connection that changed the trajectory of my life.
That’s the power of football.
Without football, there is no way I wind up in Pennsylvania, or New York, or Kansas City. There’s no chance I meet my amazing wife. And THE TRE MAN, our 6-foot, 165-pound bundle of joy, does not exist.
That’s the power of football.
Because of this glorious game, I learned to take calculated risks and to work well with others, which invariably helped me in my career.
Because of football, my relationship with my parents and sister are deeper as we’ve bonded over the sport for decades.
Because of football, my son and I have spent countless hours together. Practicing, traveling to games, attending major events. Enjoyed deep conversations. The game has given us a magical connection that stirs me whenever I think about it.
That’s the power of football.
So, in the wake of Mr. Hamlin’s severe injury, as some people wonder whether or not to let their children play football, I am resolute in my desire for Tre to play football, if he so desires.
To that end, after the game on Monday evening, I spoke with my son and asked him if he still wanted to play football. He looked at me with surprise and said “Yes. 100%.”
That’s the power of football.
You see, even though he’s only 13 years old, Tre has experienced so many wonderful things that football has to offer. Victory. Defeat. Perseverance. Brotherhood.
This morning, I’ll coach my son and some of his friends in a 7-on-7 football game in Jersey City. We’ll travel to a different neighborhood and have the opportunity to play against a group of fine young men who understand all that the game can offer, young men eager to pursue their dreams.
That’s the power of football.
So, as we sit back and watch our national sport this weekend, make no mistake that Mr. Hamlin will be pulling for his brothers from his hospital bed. And counting the seconds until he can get back on that field again to do what he was born to do.
The power of football, indeed.
There’s little power in my prognostications though the season record is holding up just fine at 155-98 (.613). About as good as it’ll get for me, I’m afraid. Let’s make some picks.
Today, at 4:30 pm ET, I’ll take Kansas City (13-3) at Las Vegas (6-10). The Chiefs still have something to play for and they’d love to knock their rivals down a peg or two in the finale.
At 8:15 p.m., I like Jacksonville (8-8) to upend visiting Tennessee (7-9) in the winner-take-all AFC South championship game. The Titans will get RB Derrick Henry back, but football isn’t a game where a team can flip a switch and magically snap out of a six-game losing streak.
On Sunday, in the 1 pm window, I’m rolling with:
Buffalo (12-3) to get an emotional win over New England (8-8). It should be a wonderful day in Orchard Park, NY, for the hosts.
Miami (8-8), at home, against the Jets (7-9). New York QB Joe Flacco’s next win will be #100 in his regular-season career, but I think Miami comes to play.
Carolina (6-10) in New Orleans (7-9). Steve Wilks makes one final push for the full-time gig in Charlotte.
Visiting Tampa (8-8) to top Atlanta (6-10) as Tom Brady avoids the first losing season of his career.
Minnesota (12-4), which does its best to give host Chicago (3-13) the top selection in the NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh (8-8), at home, against Cleveland (7-9). Mike Tomlin has these guys playing hard.
Houston (2-13-1) in Indianapolis (4-11-1). Both teams are simply playing for pride.
Cincinnati (11-4) at Baltimore (10-6). As I said last week, I’ll be hard-pressed to pick against Joe Burrow again this season.
At 4:25 pm, let’s go with:
Dallas (12-4), on the road, against my Washingtonians (7-8-1). Rookie Sam Howell starting at QB against the stout Cowboys front with the struggling Commanders offensive line is a recipe for disaster. Expect a rout.
The visiting Chargers (10-6) at Denver (4-12). It’s been a tough ride for the Broncos in 2023, and that’s an understatement.
Host Philadelphia (13-3) to break its two-game losing streak with a win against the Giants (9-6-1).
San Fran (12-4) and Seattle (8-8) at home against the Cardinals (4-12) and Rams (5-11), respectively.
In tomorrow’s nightcap, I’ll take the red-hot Packers (8-8) to secure a playoff berth by beating the Lions (8-8) at Lambeau Field. Heck of a job by Dan Campbell & Co. this season though.
As usual, if you’re looking for pertinent info, here is the full schedule, including TV listings and broadcaster pairings; team standings; team and individual statistics; and the updated injury report.
Week Eighteen. Drink it all in, folks. And may God bless you and yours!