In late August 2010, the NFL career of wide receiver/defensive back Mike Furrey took a sudden turn. The Washington Redskins placed him on their injured list, meaning that his season is over before it began, due to a concussion suffered early in training camp. The aftereffects of concussions have plagued Furrey for years; he may be forced into retirement for preventive reasons.
Furrey always knew his career was operating under borrowed time. He was an undersized albeit fast and athletic receiver who spent 3 seasons in the Arena Football League before his special-teams prowess gained him a role with the Los Angeles Rams. He later achieved success with the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns, notably playing both offense and defense and becoming an invaluable possession receiver, before joining the Redskins. No matter how capable his game, it seemed there was always a more-heralded, higher-paid youngster waiting in the wings. Furrey became a star, but was always expendable.
More than many of his contemporaries, Furrey always realized the opportunities an NFL career afforded. Furrey and his family took advantage of his status as a pro athlete and capitalized on the exposure. They leveraged his sports career, not for mere personal gain, but to become viable contributors within each of his teams’ communities - Furrey, his wife, and his 3 children were not just figureheads for charitable organizations, they were visible front-line advocates for those less fortunate, in particular disadvantaged children. Rather than hide behind his modest fame or deny his chance to be a role model, the Furreys emphasized their gratitude for his good fortune by standing front and center as beacons of benevolence.
Their non-profit Furrey Foundation helps underprivileged youth in a myriad of ways. Furrey bought blocks of tickets for each game and gave them to youth organizations; he served as a go-to guy in his clubhouse for visits to youth in hospitals and hospices; and in every interview he minimized his impact as a player and maximized his impact as a humanitarian.
“Every time I walk out of a hospital {from visiting a sick child} … the first thing that hits you … you’re thankful for what you’ve been given. The second thing is how many kids out there just need an adult to come into their life. And we have an opportunity to do that. To heal them with a smile,” Furrey said.
Furrey is a man of greatness, not because he achieved success on the gridiron. He is a man of greatness because of his positive exploits in the community and in the lives of the youngsters he’s touched, benefited, and blessed. If his NFL days are done, may his legacy live forever in the continued good works of the teammates he’s influenced.
From September 2010, http://raising-a-man.tumblr.com
Furrey always knew his career was operating under borrowed time. He was an undersized albeit fast and athletic receiver who spent 3 seasons in the Arena Football League before his special-teams prowess gained him a role with the Los Angeles Rams. He later achieved success with the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns, notably playing both offense and defense and becoming an invaluable possession receiver, before joining the Redskins. No matter how capable his game, it seemed there was always a more-heralded, higher-paid youngster waiting in the wings. Furrey became a star, but was always expendable.
More than many of his contemporaries, Furrey always realized the opportunities an NFL career afforded. Furrey and his family took advantage of his status as a pro athlete and capitalized on the exposure. They leveraged his sports career, not for mere personal gain, but to become viable contributors within each of his teams’ communities - Furrey, his wife, and his 3 children were not just figureheads for charitable organizations, they were visible front-line advocates for those less fortunate, in particular disadvantaged children. Rather than hide behind his modest fame or deny his chance to be a role model, the Furreys emphasized their gratitude for his good fortune by standing front and center as beacons of benevolence.
Their non-profit Furrey Foundation helps underprivileged youth in a myriad of ways. Furrey bought blocks of tickets for each game and gave them to youth organizations; he served as a go-to guy in his clubhouse for visits to youth in hospitals and hospices; and in every interview he minimized his impact as a player and maximized his impact as a humanitarian.
“Every time I walk out of a hospital {from visiting a sick child} … the first thing that hits you … you’re thankful for what you’ve been given. The second thing is how many kids out there just need an adult to come into their life. And we have an opportunity to do that. To heal them with a smile,” Furrey said.
Furrey is a man of greatness, not because he achieved success on the gridiron. He is a man of greatness because of his positive exploits in the community and in the lives of the youngsters he’s touched, benefited, and blessed. If his NFL days are done, may his legacy live forever in the continued good works of the teammates he’s influenced.
From September 2010, http://raising-a-man.tumblr.com
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