Sorry folks, it's been a while since I had time to post. But I'm back. Like an overbearing Mother in-law with a calling for child spoiling, I'm back to commentate on shit that I probably have no business commentating on.
Except for this.
Mark Herzlich.
Mark Herzlich is the inspirational young man that I really hope you've all already heard about. I hope so, even though apparently no GM, coach, or any other NFL personnel with drafting credentials have.
Here's the cliff notes, in case you haven't heard. And if you haven't, I highly recommend you google him and read his story. In fact, to make it easier, I've just done it for you. Here you go:
The Mark Herzlich Story
After a spectacular Junior season as Boston College's top Line Backer, a position coveted in the NFL, Mark briefly considered testing the professional waters. The numbers had him being drafted between the back end of the first round, to the top of the second. Not too shabby, eh? In fact, 99% of all NCAA prospects would jump at the opportunity to be in Mark's shoes, just to be able to launch their NFL careers anywhere in those potential draft positions, and to be able to hear his name called at Radio City Music Hall.
But Mark isn't in that 99%.
Mark was one of those rear 1% of all NCAA players who truly didn't believe he should be drafted that late, and had the stats, plus-1, to back it up. He was the captain of the defense, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and arguably the best Linebacker in all of college football, and he had the chance to be something special. So he decided to stay in school for his senior year, and enter the 2009 draft as a top ten pick.
But shortly after that stellar 2008 season, Mark was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rear, one in a million, form of bone cancer. He developed a tumor in his leg, from bone to skin. His doctor told him he would never play football again. But Mark, with his father's endorsement, informed his doctor that he only understood medicine, and not desire, and vowed to play football again
Mark fought cancer, endured six months of chemo and radiation, hit the weight room every day in between treatments, and trained with every ounce of energy he had to spare.
And he won.
Mark beat the cancer, and the following year, led his team out onto the field for their first game...as well as the next twelve games. In fact, Mark played in all thirteen games, finishing third on the team with 65 tackles; 50 solo, tied for first on the team with two forced fumbles, second with four interceptions to go along with four pass break ups. Oh, and he also had 3.5 tackles for a loss.
Mark was back. A temporary step slower, as expected, but back nonetheless. And for what he accomplished on the field and off to do so, is nothing less than amazing. awesome, fantastic, ... you pick the adjective, but you better make it a good one. Mark magnificently blew the world away with his comeback.
Unfortunately, unlike most feel-good stories, this one doesn't end with a happy ending. Sure, Mark is healthy now (knock on wood), and that's great. But all of his hard work, all his effort, his die hard attitude that always backed him up, and his pure desire to succeed was no match for draft night. Once a first round draft pick, Mark watched the entire seven rounds of the NFL draft go by without hearing his name called.
... and then he waited some more.
Mark was finally drafted as the 51st pick of the 10th round, in the UFL draft. That's right. Not only did this potential first round NFL draft pick with tons of talent, heart, and desire not get picked in the NFL draft, but he also had to suffer through ten rounds of a second rate league.
Are you kidding me?
First of all, most NFL late round picks get cut anyway. So why doesn't any of the 32 NFL teams draft a potential superstar with any of their last three picks? Why doesn't any of the 32 clubs draft a player like Mark, knowing his situation, and seeing how he came back, not take him with their last pick just to give him a chance? More so, why didn't ay of the 32 NFL teams draft a guy like Mark Herzlich, just because of his story, and who he proved to be?
Yes, Mark had the chance to be something special, but even if the NFL doesn't give him his due, he most absolutely certainly is something special.
I will leave you with the following quote from Mark...
"I have been told that I can't play football before. We all know what happened with that."
