02/09/2023
Fitting read about a villageā¦
The āSuper Bowlā will be epic. To see the character of people when they leave and give back is priceless. This will be a worldwide event. I will be watchingā¦
The often quoted saying ā it takes a village to raise a childā has its origins in an old African proverb. I would add to that āand if raised right, the child never forgets his/her villageā. Next Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday. Last week, and Iām sure this week, much will be said about the historic event of having two African American quarterbacks face off. But long before we were witness to the the incredible on-field exploits of Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts, there was Doug Williams. His āvillageā was a small, rural community in Zachary, Louisiana. In Super Bowl XXII Doug Williams led his Washington Football Team on a 42 to 10 rout of the Denver Broncos. Doug Williams shredded the Denver defense, and put to rest once and for all the nasty, stereotypical narrative of who could play quarterback and who couldnāt. His VILLAGE told him he could and he did. All children need to know that their āvillageā is made up of those who believe in them. Itās not necessarily geographical, but those who believe in them may be around the globe. Doug Williams was named the MVP of the game. Super Bowl MVPā¦.one of the highest honors in team sports. But Doug never forgot his village in big ways or small ones. Two years after Super Bowl XXII my dad passed away. As my family and I sat in the pew, many members of the community came to say goodbye to Mr. Yancy. I looked up and standing there to offer his solemn, respectful goodbye to my dad, his high school agriculture teacher from Chaneyville High School, was Super Bowl MVP Doug Williams. He never forgot his village. My dad was a small part of his village. He didnāt have to come but he did. He supports his village in many ways to this very day. Teach children to remember, restore, rehab, retrain and return at least a portion of what their village gave to them. Go get āem Patrick and Jalen. Doug, and his village, will be watching.
