Look at Where We Are

A couple weeks ago in practice I had a moment of clarity. We were preparing for our first preseason game, my first game in a Giants uniform. During a water break, I tapped my teammate on his shoulder and said, “Man, look at us. Look at where we are.”

He chuckled and said, “Yeah, Rashad…. we’re at practice.”

Realizing he didn’t understand my perspective, I said, “Nah man, I mean, we’re in the NFL — we’re at the top of our profession.” My teammate looked at me in thought before nodding his head. “Yeah, man,” he said, “you’re right.”

We were preparing for the preseason opener against Buffalo – no real game planning, just an extension of training camp. But this wasn’t the usual August scrimmage. It was the NFL Hall of Fame Classic, the first exhibition game of the NFL season, played in Canton, Ohio, after the new class of inductees are enshrined. Just as I was getting geeked up about being in Giant blue for the first time, I was reminded once again that this game is much bigger than me. This year’s Hall of Fame game was not about the Giants and the Bills. It was once again a weekend for everyone in pro football and every fan of the NFL.

I had a chance to learn more about the Hall of Fame, to understand how much history our league has, and how important Canton is to the NFL. I realized that the weekend would be remembered forever by seven inductees, their families, their teammates and their fans. For me, the game started to feel like much more than a preseason scrimmage. I so wanted to pull my teammates aside and say, “Look at where we are!”

One of the highlights of the weekend was touring the Hall of Fame. It was amazing to see all the displays of equipment, even playbooks, from the earliest days of pro football. It felt good to share the experience with my teammates, and pay our respects to the best of the best. I was especially struck by the role of the New York Giants in the formation of the NFL and the Hall of Fame. The Mara family is the NFL! Timothy Mara bought the Giants for $500 in 1923 and put the league on the map in New York. He was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1963. His son, Wellington Mara, went to his first Giants game in 1925. He spent his entire adult life – more than 60 years – working in the Giants front office while helping to develop both the NFL and the Hall of Fame. He was enshrined in 1997. I mean, even the brand of Wilson football we use, “The Duke,” was inspired by his nickname!

As I was running through the tunnel in Canton, wearing the New York Giants game uniform for the first time, I felt a deep sense of honor. I’ve been working hard all year — really, since I was 6 years old — to get to this moment, to earn this honor. On the field, it felt good to get the first few snaps under our belts. We mixed it up in the first quarter. I had a few carries, and before long the starters were done. Our rookie back, Andre Williams, had a nice night and got to visit the end zone for the first time as a pro. I remember that feeling, and I was happy for him.

Yes, it was a preseason scrimmage. But I was humbled to be part of it all — part of such an amazing tradition and the greatest sport in the world. Truth is, every game should feel like that. How many people get to do what they love – to play a game – and have 80,000 people buy tickets every week to watch them do it? Blessed does not adequately describe how it feels.

Since the opener in Canton, my teammate and fellow Virginia native David Wilson retired due to a recurring neck injury. David played two years in the NFL. His courage, and the way he handled his decision, was inspiring to all of us. In David’s press conference (http://tinyurl.com/dwilsonnyg) he was emotional talking about the support he received from fans, coaches, and “great players that will probably be in the Hall of Fame someday.” He said that when he watches Giants games this year, and forever, he wants us to “try to be great” every time we take the field. We will, my friend.

There are no guarantees in life. Appreciate what you have. Honor those who have come before you. And play every game as if it could be your last.

Seven men were inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on that Sat., Aug. 2. I could write pages on each of them, and everything they achieved in their careers. Instead, I’ll pay my respects here by asking that each of you look them up at www.profootballhof.com. It’s worth your time, I promise. The Class of 2014 enshrined this year included linebacker Derrick Brooks, punter Ray Guy, defensive end Claude Humphrey, offensive tackle Walter Jones, wide reciever Andre Reed, defensive end (and Super Bowl champ New York Giant) Michael Strahan, and defensive back Aeneas Williams.

Each of these men will live forever in bronze, their individual achievements a part of something greater than they ever dreamed. The rest of us in this league can only hope to be on that stage in Canton one day, nudging the guy next to him and saying, “Look at where we are!”