PediGator Posted August 23, 2002 Share Posted August 23, 2002 excerpt from "Hero, redefined" http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/football/orl-sptspecfootball23082302aug23.story "Anytime somebody calls me a hero, I tell them they don't know what they're talking about. You want to call somebody a hero, you need to meet my father." -- LaVar Arrington, linebacker, Washington Redskins Legs. What is a football player without them? What is a prototype linebacker if he cannot hurdle over offensive linemen to sack a quarterback, or leap 2 feet into the air to bat down a pass, or sprint 30 yards across the field to level a running back? Michael Arrington was right out of high school and had just turned 18 years old when he was drafted into the Army in the summer of 1968. Less than a year later, he was sent to Vietnam and assigned to a tank unit. It was an August night a month after he arrived when the North Vietnamese attacked his base. Michael ran and jumped on the side of his tank and started to climb up. Except the driver didn't know there was another soldier outside, and he started up the tank and it surged forward. Michael fell off the side, but his left leg was snagged in the metal track. And as the tank rolled forward, Michael's leg was gobbled further and further into the track. Michael took his other leg and pressed his foot hard against the track. That decision cost him his right leg as well, but probably saved his life. The tank track sawed off his legs and discarded his body onto the dirt. The tank driver, still oblivious to what had happened, drove off and left Michael's mangled body there bleeding and screaming amid the gunshots, grenade blasts and mortar fire. Michael never met the man who ran him over; never even knew his name. Even though half of Michael's body was left in a battlefield in southeast Asia, he refused to be half a man to his children. Doctors told him he'd be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life, but he learned to walk and even play basketball on prosthetic limbs. "My father has one of the best set shots you've ever seen," LaVar Arrington says with a smile splashed across his face. "He played hoops with us. He played catch with us. He did everything with us. He refused to let his wounds get in the way of having fun with us. "You want to talk about all the great physical attributes I have on the football field? Well, it's all because of him. He lost his legs serving his country, making sure we have a chance to stay free, making sure we have a chance to play football. He gave up his blood, his guts and his legs in Vietnam. He gave up a part of himself for the United States of America. There's nobody in my eyes who's a bigger hero than my father." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Mike Posted August 23, 2002 Share Posted August 23, 2002 :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonjeff Posted August 23, 2002 Share Posted August 23, 2002 Great post PediGator. Living in Pennsylvania I have been able to follow LaVarr's career from high school, to college, to the Skins. His father has always been one of LaVarr's first topics he speaks about. A great man that has taught his children great values. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blondie Posted August 23, 2002 Share Posted August 23, 2002 Glad that was shared with us. OK guys....that brought a lump to my throat. What a tribute to a father. Blondie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zuskin Posted August 23, 2002 Share Posted August 23, 2002 Lavar makes it easy to be a fan. :notworthy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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