If you thought you understood courage, you ain't seen nothing yet

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Kenechi Udeze. Kenechi's experience in the NFL -- entering as an all-American from USC -- has been extremely different than most. 

That is a complete understatement.

Kenechi Udeze was a 1st round draft pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, by the Minnesota Vikings. He had an extremely successful first few years in the league, as a full time starter beginning his rookie year. He was every Vikings fan's favorite and was productive on the field -- and a star off the field. Everything had been going great for him.

Until February 11, 2008.

 

   *Udeze has been through a lot*

That date -- close to a year ago -- Udeze's life changed forever. He was diagnosed with a rare form of "acute leukemia" requiring a lot of treatment, including a bone marrow transplant from his brother. 

After working on regaining his health last offseason, he was put on Injured Reserve for this past season. 

He knew he wouldn't be playing in 2008, but hoped -- and vowed -- he'd be back in the Metrodome again. 

Now, after losing 50 pounds in the past year, January 26, has become another day Udeze and his loved ones will remember forever. Yesterday, he came out publicly by saying he hopes to --and plans -- on returning and playing football once again.                                                  

"My goal is when the team gets back together, I'll be in my jersey and on the sideline with them." 

Unbelievable. 

He has a few months before offseason training begins to make sure his health is in perfect condition for football, and I know you're with me when I say I can't wait until September 6, 2009 -- opening weekend of the NFL. 

After getting back on the practice field and playing in the preseason, that date will be the next to have major significance for Kenechi Udeze -- and for anyone who has hope. 

Kenechi Udeze is a true hero for all. What he is in the process of doing gives hope and courage too all. He's just another example of someone who is "never giving up"; he is a strong believer in "getting anything he puts his heart into."

When this news came out, I was so excited for him. As a Vikings fan, I was ecstatic that he will play for us again. 

As a sports fan, I was happy that he was getting back to doing what he loved.

But as a person, I was truly touched with his story, admired with what he went through, and encouraged to do anything I wanted.

I think it's safe to say that I can comfortably announce Kenechi Udeze as the best representer of being the "Purple Trojan" -- truly a hero in all of our books.

             *He will play again!*

Brett Favre...another prolonged offseason of wonder and the reason no one cares about it

With the football offseason looming, one of the bigger offseason stories will once again revolve around Brett Favre.

**And by the way, I am sorry but his name should be spelled FARVE. The difference of the spelling and the pronunciation of his name has bothered me since I could remember. Just a pitiful display of incompetence.**

We have seen it in the past few years now. The anxious wait until Brett Favre retires. Starting in the summer of 2006, Favre has toyed with the option of retiring from the NFL. Hard to believe when someone thought it about the decision years ago is still playing -- and could return for a 2009 season. 

Being the all-time great and future Hall of Famer he is, #4 will bring about all the media surrounding his decision -- guaranteed. I'll be honest. I am getting sick of it. 

Last offseason was the worst. 

On March 6, Brett Favre (finally) retired from the NFL. In an emotional press conference, he called off the dogs. I still believe he was tearing up for the same reason I was. 

That the retirement saga had come to a close. 

However, after months with no media attention surrounding Favre, he appeared back in the national spotlight with a bang. He publicly debated the possible decisions -- of staying retired or coming back -- publicly for weeks, keeping many Favre -- and Packer fans -- glued to the television and computers, hoping for his return.

After months of deliberations, he actually wanted back in. But since there had been a four month period with no attention (aside from the deliberation process), he needed a tactic to bring the media on to him with full-throttle.

So, he said he wanted out of Green Bay. After he came out publicly by saying that, there was a month of intense deliberations on what would happen next. So, obviously, everything in sports relations had Favre as a main topic. 

Once he was traded to the Jets, played his first preseason game, and finally his first regular season game, everything seemed to calm down. 

Until a few months ago.

With what has already occurred this season/offseason, I am warning all you to be ready for the media onslaught that Favre will once again attract. 

During the season, when the Jets still had a shot to make the playoffs, he came out publicly and talked about possibly playing the last game of his career.

Now with their season in the books, I can only anticipate what will come about with his decision-making process. 

"Will he stay?" "Will he retire?" "Will he stay retired?" "Will he be traded?"

The questions can -- and will -- go on forever. It is certainly the reason why it is such an important offseason issue. 

Who knows what to expect this offseason. Well, with a QB problem brewing in Minnesota, he could be going to the Purple and Gold. 

            What? This explains Favre.

                     Photo: Cory Hollenhorst

He might as well. He already ruined his Green Bay tradition by going to New York. And the Jets, in that matter. Not even the New York Football Giants. 

Approaching the fourth consecutive offseason -- now called "Favre's Time" -- with the wonder of his decisions in football fans' mind, we have so much to be grateful for.:

Having a superstar athlete playing the media, giving us fans so much to get excited for with no football being played.

Since it has become so often he is deciding his future, people just don't care anymore. The media needs to lay off the issue. Favre and the national media are pulling a "boy who cried wolf" scenario. The longer this last, the more people will just jump off the deep end. 

It seems that it has become tradition for me to spend my summer awaiting Favre's decision. Other than the occasional baseball games, going to the beach, and being with friends/family, following Favre's topic has become one of best things to do in the summer.

Or most annoying. Why don't you make that call.