In the next section of reading More Than Just the Catch, by David Tyree, I found more examples of hard work used to get out of bad situations. In chapter two, Tyree describes the positive influence his older sister, Tara, had on his life. She was the first to accept Christ into her life, and she helped advise Tyree on what is wrong and right in life. Tyree describes how athletics were his ticket to making it to college. He knew he needed to go to college to be more, and his only way to getting there was his athletic ability. He worked harder than everyone else even at a young age, propelling him to be the football player he wanted to be in the future.
In chapter three, Tyree explains how peer pressure had a huge impact on his life. Eventually, Tyree's reputation in school as a kid landed him in the wrong social group. His friends made poor decisions and often disobeyed authorities. Tyree was influenced negatively by his friends and often found himself in trouble. He writes about some of their mistakes, including driving a car when all of his friends and him had never driven before in their lives. Tyree writes about the hard times with his friends, but he also tells that things would get better from his point of being in with the wrong crowd in school.
In chapter four, Tyree explains more peer pressure he faced, specifically pressure in high school. He made some poor decisions while in relationships with girls in high school. He invested too much attention to some girls, and he focused on being a "player" in high school. However, he still managed to fair very well in football and maintain his grades. He was able to achieve the football scholarship he always dreamed of as a young child. His mother was ecstatic, and Tyree describes the excitement both of them shared on their visits to colleges.
In chapter five, Tyree describes his life at his college, Syracuse University. Specifically, he details the crazy parties and beautiful women at the school. Eventually, he met a woman he could not get off of his mind, Leilah. Soon, the two started seeing each other regularly. Unfortunately, the two had sex, which complicated things in the relationship. Leilah writes about the strong ties the two had to each other in their relationship at the end of the chapter.
In chapter six, Tyree describes more difficulties in his relationship with Leilah. The two continued to party regularly, and eventually, Leilah became pregnant. David was actually drunk the day Leilah went into labor. Despite their child, the two broke up and Leilah stayed home with their son. However, David's family all liked Leilah, and all of them held on to the hope that David would return to marry Leilah.
In chapter seven, describes the drastic change that took place in his life early in his NFL career. He was drafted in the sixth round by the New York Giants, and he found success early in the league as a special teams player. However, he struggled mightily with alcohol and marijuana addictions. He was arrested for marijuana possession later. In addition, Leilah was pregnant with their second child basically at the time David paid bail to get out of jail. At this moment that Leilah told David the important news, David decided he needed to make huge changes in his life. He cut out the drug addictions, including alcohol, and began to turn his life around as he turned to God for guidance. He committed himself to Leilah in marriage and also committed himself to his children. He describes that only his faith in God allowed him to have the ability to truly turn his life around.
After reading this section of Tyree's book, I feel as though Tyree's story is almost unreal. He was able to find success on the field always, but all of the truly important things in his life were in jeopardy. He had trouble with many dangerous addictions and seemed selfish many times in college and early in his NFL career. I think it is amazing how Tyree and many people can hit rock bottom, and then truly change their lives. I have noticed that even in my struggles, I can hit bottom and then begin to turn my life around. When my sins become full blown and as obvious as ever, I can truly distinguish what I need to do to improve myself as a person. In retrospect, I am closest to God many times when I am struggling the most keeping his commandments. I know choosing immoral and ungodly things in this world is completely wrong, but God uses these times in my life to draw me closer to him. I am sure I will uncover more truths in this book as I continue to read about Tyree's story.
No comments:
Post a Comment