My Big Brother

For those of you who know my brother, this article will do nothing other than reiterate what you already know. For those of you who don't, I would like to the opportunity to share a little about the man whom I have looked up to for my entire life, one of the most selfless & genuine people you will ever meet.

Big brothers have the uncommon ability to test a younger sibling. They know exactly how to push every button you posses that conjures up emotions of anger within you that not even the wrath of Zeus could muster. They have an ability to grind down your emotions to your inner core. Almost certainly in your early years, they know you even better than you know yourself. However, let me shed a little light on the other side of the coin, one not necessarily seen by others. Let me tell you who my big brother is and his lasting influence on me.

Both of my brothers have had a great influence on my life. Perhaps due to our closeness in age, more of my time as a youth was probably spent with Derrick. Growing up on a farm in the middle of the strip pits in the heart of Southeast Kansas, entertainment was hard to find. Left with little choice and only three tv channels, we spent most of our time playing sports. It didn't matter the time of day, inside or out, we were actively engaged in emulating our favorite figures in each sport. The living room served as a ballpark, basketball arena, and gridiron stadium. With the separation of years between us, the athletic ability marked quite a measure of difference. Instead of putting on a beat-down comparable to a five star football program on a cupcake football team, my brother would find a way to even the playing field. In fact, he would unselfishly give himself the disadvantage. Perhaps my favorite games to play, he dubbed "Interception" & "Fumble". In each setting he would start as the offensive player and undoubtedly either throw a pass intended to be picked off or lose control of the football. My objective would be to return the ball to the end zone, the other side of the living room or to the couch, for a touchdown. He, also, played the entirety of the game from his knees. When playing NCAA tournaments on our full-court gravel arena, he would never guard my three-point shots and shoot with his left hand. I was always Kansas, North Carolina, or some other high profile program. He would represent the underdog, most commonly Providence or Richmond, etc. Every event was broadcast in his Gus Johnson announcer voice. Talk about heightened drama! Although many times, I would call him a cheater if I lost, throw the ball at him in disgust of a bad call, he threatened to never play with me again....Forty-five minutes later he would come find me in my pouty state and ask that we try again. No matter how I treated him or what I said, he would give me another try. Those games could not have been very fun for him since they were entirely tailored to me. It took me a long time to realize how selfless his actions were.

Entering high school, he would drag me to 6 A.M. weights where there might only be a total of eight guys showing up. He never allowed himself to sit down in his three hour workout. (A rule I implemented with our kids at the high school now) At 10 o'clock in the morning in the blazing summer sun, he put me through unrighteous, mile & a half sprint workouts with just the two of us on the track. Whether he just wanted the company or not, he was instilling a discipline & work ethic in me that would stay with me to this day. Track workouts that our athletes suffer through in our off-season, summer conditioning now. He was my idol, my role model. He always looked out for my best interests. One Friday night, I witnessed him take a hit to the chin that required stitches. The trainer wanted to deaden the area before proceeding. In order to speed the process, he declined anethesia & took the needle & the stitches cold. He never missed an offensive play. His toughness was unparalleled, but I came to realize he would sacrifice anything for his teammates and those around them.

Derrick went on the play football at Pittsburg State. Though he never saw much playing time, he stuck with it for all five years. I'll never forget him telling the story of the first time he ran through the tunnel. A few of my most cherished moments are the embraces we shared after losing in the state quarterfinals in Rossville, in which he drove four hours to even though he had a game the following day, and the sub-state victory in basketball of my senior season. He was always there for me in my failures & my successes whether they brought tears of overwhelming joy or excruciating sadness.

He is now is the Head Football coach at Riverton High School. His discipline, selflessness, & good nature remain a part of his daily life. He treats his players as if they were his own children, with respect & dignity. I can identify with the example he sets for them on a daily basis & I can say that they are truly blessed. Now married & with a son of his own, he demonstrates the same loving devotion that he gave me in my childhood with his own family.

My brother would never elaborate on his awesome personal characteristics. His humility would never allow him to. Although Derrick & I may have different coaching personalities, his being calm & collected and mine being a little more outwardly excitable, I still carry many of the values & principles he instilled in me. And although I'll never have a little brother of my own, perhaps I can influence my players the way he did me. I can honestly say that any little brother who is as fortunate to have a big brother like I did, is the luckiest kid on the planet.

Happy Birthday big brother! I hope it's the best one yet & there are many more to come. Whether you would ever admit it to anyone or not, you are an amazing individual and those around you are blessed to have been touched by your influence...