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September 1, 2020As I reflect on the last few days and weeks, I am full of sorrow and confusion about what has been transpiring in our country. What is going on? What are the right answers? How can I help? What can I do to make a difference? I am trying to understand what has gone wrong, where did I/we make the wrong turn. But as I reflect back on a relationship — a friendship that was and is — I am filled with hope and love.
Let me tell you about a friendship between Desmond Howard and myself. Des and I both attended St. Joseph High School back in the late ’80s. We were two young athletes gifted at playing multiple sports, and we both had a desire to be great. Obviously, there was a difference in skin color, but no difference in why and how we wanted to be successful. Des and I began to trust one another, talk with each other, and understand and respect each other's backgrounds. Our friendship grew over time and sports played a big part in all of it.
Sports has a way of bringing people together no matter your color, background or culture. I believe that sports is the greatest bridge between all walks of life. I have seen and experienced this at every level: high school, college and professionally. Des went on to win the Heisman Trophy, NFL Super Bowl MVP and many more accolades at the professional level. But I’ll tell you one thing, which is that our relationship never changed. We may not see each other often, but our bond of friendship will never end. This friendship will never end because it is rooted in love.
You may remember the catch at Michigan stadium against Notre Dame. That catch was between two young men who trusted, respected and loved each other. If we say that God is love, then what you experienced at that moment in time was God himself. Two young men gifted by God and using those talents to glorify God. God’s love was present in that moment. That catch was something greater than just a catch; it was love. A love shared between two people where color was lost, background not a thought. Cultures coming together in a moment of time to show love and to reveal God. My love for Des will never end because Des gave of himself to me and I gave of myself in return. We both see God in each other.
I do not have the right answers, but I do know that without God nothing is possible. Maybe God had a plan all along to use both of us to show to others what it means to love. We may have been just athletes, but our friendship could be a sign to help others — God only knows. I think being a part of St. Joseph High School brought us together to do greater things than a catch, possibly to catch others for God.
Sports and Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School have done and will continue to do amazing things in our students’ lives. The students may not know it today, as Des and I did not, but maybe down the road, God will bring it to light. I hope and pray that this example of friendship can be a light in the darkness, a hope in all the despair, a love that will answer all questions. We grew together in faith, family and future — our school’s motto. We continue to do this by living out our faith in God, our love for family and others, and our hope for a future full of love.
Des and I are only a small example of what can and should be. A friendship rooted in love will always endure the good and bad times and be the strength for many. We were two young men created in God’s image, formed by St. Joseph High School and sent to glorify God. My prayer is for all to love those who God puts in front of us as He has loved us.
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I loved you. No one has greater love than this to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:11-14)
