"Cruisin With The Tooz!
One can only reflect on the love and hate relationship the media has had to slam the bad boys of the NFL.To football fans it's always been a soap opera the hilarious or down right heart breaking stories how players handle such attention can affect their pregame preparation or even sour what should be a special
outing on game-day.
Every NFL team has it's story, there are people from many different walks of life. People are from different races, different parts of the country, they grew up with different values, different religions, and different cultures. Being able to get to know these players and learn about their life is one of the things we should enjoy about this great game of football, the vast communication we have in this world allows us to literally be in the locker room of our favorite team. This is were we bond and learn about each other's different cultures, personalities and views on life.
The values and views of these players have always been one sided due to their "bad boy" image, the flip side is completing the opposite, and are rarely covered by the media. For example, Randy Moss and Terrell Owens have worked extremely hard to fulfill their dreams. From the days of pop-Warner to the present time. But for some reason the media seems to only cover the negative side of these so called bad boys in the National Football League "Who's at fault, the players can only blame themselves, somewhere along in life they lost control in restraining themselves and it's become a bad trademark of their personality. In reality Randy Moss Terrell Owens are not horrible people, Randy spends time and money by visiting school children, sponsors many orphanages and hospitals. Terrell's, involvement in the community are many, from the youth camps he sponsors, to raising money for the sick. Knowing more about all players and their passionate desire for the game should make us see players in a different light and not be quick to judge. The Lord warns us about judging in (Matthew 7) it always comes back in the same measure, when we least expect it.
Over the years the competition among the press has always been furious for juicy stories. Many NFL stars have painfully learned that lesson to watch their every word. Or to literary do the opposite and role with the media and have fun with their questions. One man that beat the media to the punch was the legendary John Matuszak, the man they called "Tooz" During his playing career Matuszak is said to have enjoyed what he considered the "breakfast of champions," a vodka and Valium combination. That was never found on any Wheaties box? Before the Raiders played the Eagles in Super Bowl XV, Matuszak was quoted saying he was going to see to it that none of his teammates strayed too far from the team hotel, thereby risking a curfew violation.
"I'm going to see that there's no funny business," he said "I've had enough parties for 20-people's lifetimes. I've grown up. I'll keep our young players out of trouble. If any players want to stray, they gotta go through "Ol Tooz." The only problem? The next night the "Tooz" was caught partying until 3 a.m. he could not help himself, and was slapped with a $1,000 fine for his indiscretion. Nobody before or after has possessed the character of Matuszak. He drove coaches and opposing line-men crazy. He found favor with the media in being truthful and funny. He was known to have a spilt personality, one minute running around like the devil, always in trouble with drugs, alcohol, and women, and then the next minute dressing up like Santa? visiting children at hospitals.The Raider Nation had the pleasure of Cruisin with the Tooz- knowing of his every move, it was like being in the back seat.
In reality, players become part of our lives, being in the locker room with our favorite team, it's what television and the Internet bring to us, their lives are exposed whether it's good or bad, football eventually seems to take a back seat, as we see everyday life played out with our heroes. As for the "Tooz! and the many Raiders that played "Hard in life" We can only hope that they made the choice to call on the Lord Jesus Christ.
On the same hand, we should thank God for all the Christians that were put in their path in life to relay the good news. Jesus says in His promises of eternal life, that whoever believes in Him is saved...Salvation has it's journey, first it's being introduced to the savior "JESUS CHRIST" then comes instruction's on what it all means. Unfortunately, many don't make it onto the playing field, never seeing the glory of heaven on earth and it's promises. As you prepare for this up coming season stir-up a conversation with your love ones. Are we really ready? To meet our creator...
But Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal it up so that it will not be understood until the end times,when travel and education shall be vastly increased!" (Daniel 12:4).
Pastor Mando
"Just Keeping It Real"
