We Are Marshall

First, I just need to let Ben know that a select few have photographic evidence confirming one of his deepest questions. Someday, he, too, might enter into this inner circle.

This weekend involved a lot of action. However, I was able to try out some new things and learned quite a bit, too. Tonight, though, is not the time to share most of this. The house-cleaning, though, has made significant progress and even extended to the bag shed with the help of one of the high schoolers. It is such a relief to be getting drawers, closets, and, now, even the shed purged. We also raked the leaves!

So tonight, after running in a snow shower, I sat down to watch a movie. I rarely watch movies anymore so this was unusual and felt kind of weird. However, it was so worth it. I watched We Are Marshall for the second time. I could probably watch it several more times. It is the true story about rebuilding the Marshall football program after a plane crash wiped out the Thundering Herd. First, can you imagine what the people of that college community felt like - particularly the handful of people affiliated with the football program who were not on the trip with the team. We've all lost loved ones, but an entire plane filled with "family?" However, this crazy guy, Jack Lengyel took a job - the job of coaching the Marshall team only months after this tragedy beyond all tragedies. He became a restorer, a bringer of hope, and instiller of heart.

Some awesome parts of the movie...

Seeing the President of Marshall University standing outside the NCAA in Kansas City, drenched, pleading for an exemption to allow true freshmen on the team. He says, "We are hurting. We want to play football but we can't do it without your help."

Lengyel and his assistant at rival West Virginia watching tapes to learn about the veer. As two WVU players leave the film room, the coaches see a cross and MU on the back of the helmets.

Lengyel talking about winning... Winning is everything and nothing else matters. This is what he thought until coming to Marshall. It wasn't true at Marshall anymore. It was not about winning or losing, or even how they played the game. After experiencing tragedy, the only thing that mattered was that they

took the field.

Out!