A soul beneath the helmet

“Hey, it’s Rashad Jennings!” exclaimed a small soft voice. “Can I have your autograph please?” the little boy asked. With no reservations, I immediately signed the program that he handed me.

“Now, can I have your autograph?” I asked the boy. With a priceless smile on his face, the little boy replied, “Oh wow! Sure!” As I turned around and kneeled on the ground, I allowed the boy to sign the back of my t-shirt.

To you, there may be no significance to my actions. Or you may be asking why I would want the signature of a little boy who I may never see again. Well, I am glad you asked the question. And, my answer to you is, “It’s because there is life behind the helmet.”

From childhood until now, I had to transition my life to be one in which my moral and mental strength maneuvered me through everyday life situations. This ability to venture with such perseverance is simply courage. Once I decided to stride with a courageous mindset, I became a brave young man. And, that courageous mindset did not cease once I became a professional athlete.

Whether I was the chubby teenager, the student with the low grade point average or not serious about life, I eventually realized that I had to denounce the faint-hearted attitude and exercise courageous actions in disciplining me to be stronger and more stable. How I perceived myself could no longer be viewed in a cowardly or poor-spirited manner. But, I needed to develop valiant efforts.

The day that I ran from my parents’ home a little over eight miles to my brother’s home, clothing dripping wet and soaked with perspiration, literally banging on his door with an urgency, was the day I released doubt and grabbed a hold of the courage that lay dormant within.  The decision to allow the process of transformation to take place without interfering was final. I was ready to accept the challenge and mature into a courageous being.

When I take my helmet off, you see a brave young man. There is the existence of a soul that is in the person of Rashad Jennings. As fans, spectators and readers of various columns, you may have a certain image of what and who a professional athlete is. However, you may not know what life is like once that individual walks off the field.

Becoming a member of the NFL is a great accomplishment. But, the membership and title did not alter the life within me. Did some factors change? Of course, they did. Nevertheless, I still see and exist as Rashad when I look in the mirror.

The laughter that resounds from my mouth still bursts forth. The will to fight and not give up in the midst of obstacles still dwells inside. The ability to work diligently to make every breath of each day count is a never-ending drive. To receive humbly every opportunity presented to me is a choice of my free will. The determination to work effortlessly to not return into the body of that obese boy with low self-esteem is a reality. Therefore, with the helmet on and/or off, I give — as life is not only being on the receiving end.

Just as the little boy took a step to ask of a gift from me; likewise, I received the opportunity to have a priceless smile as I kneeled to get his signature. With the helmet off and without a title, I am that little boy. The desire to live, laugh, love and embrace the freedom that we are afforded as citizens of the Unites States is who I am without the helmet. It’s always my desire to be no bigger than I was created to be, a human being.