Homer: Darrel Young's dreams came true versus Giants (brother returns from Afghanistan, attends first game)

[themurf]

(photo by Brian Murphy)

Forgive Darrel Young if he was a little caught up in the moment as he took the field for the Washington Redskins against the New York Giants Sunday.

This offseason, Young was named the team’s starting fullback over 12-year-veteran Mike Sellers, so the season opener was his first chance to show the world what he’s got.

There was also the significance of the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, which wasn’t lost on the native New Yorker and, if that’s not enough, Young’s brother – Sgt. 1st Class David Young – was back from an Afghanistan deployment and in attendance at FedEx Field.

That meant the older Young was watching his baby brother play a regular season game for the first time in person, rather than being forced to watch each game in a tent halfway around the world.

“It was just an honor to be able to play in a game on a national stage like that, but at the same time, it was a very emotional day for me,” Young said. “My brother was in the stands and thinking back to 9/11 – being from New York and being about 45 minutes away from where everything happened. All of that was on my mind.

“And then, seeing all of the fans in attendance and the video tributes during the game – especially the Soldiers on the JumboTron over in Afghanistan,” he continued. “I obviously have strong feelings for those people because I know what they go through. I don’t like it, but I understand that someone has to fight for our country. It definitely hits me more than the average person.”

While Young appreciated the patriotic sentiment shown throughout the NFL Week 1, he’s hopeful that those who lost their lives in the World Trade Center tragedy are honored in a more fitting way.

“Being from New York and seeing how many people were affected, I mean, we’re still trying to rebuild,” Young said. “I’ve heard talk about them possibly building the towers back, but I’d really like to see them turn that site into something like Arlington National Cemetery. Make it a symbol of something meaningful to this country and honor the people who gave their lives that day.”

And where was Young on that fateful day 10 years ago?

“I was sitting in social studies class in my first year of high school,” he said. “It was probably my second week of school and the teacher came in and told us the towers had been hit. None of us could really figure out what was going on, and then next thing I know my mom was dismissed from work and came to take me home. I still didn’t know what was going on until I got home and saw the news.

My first thought was my brother and knowing he could be affected by everything,” Young continued. “I got to talk to him for 10 minutes and he basically let me know he was waiting to find out if he was going to be shipped out overnight. He said he didn’t even know when we’d be able to talk again and that he loved me. That’s what I remember most about 9/11.”

That’s some heavy stuff for a 14-year-old to deal with — wondering when will be the next time you’re able to talk to your older brother.

“I just know that’s what my brother wants to do, so I support him to the fullest,” he said. “I don’t agree with guys being over there and getting killed, but these are people who choose to fight for this country. I’m biased because of what my brother and his wife go through – leaving their family to go over there and protect us for six months or a year at a time, but I support all of them.”

With all of that in mind, Young took the field against a divisional rival in a nationally televised game for his first-career start.

“It’s a dream come true,” Young said. “Just to know that my older brother – the guy who has supported me through everything – can be there to watch me do my trade. I look at him and his situation where he’s fighting for his life every day he’s over there and I’m fighting to play football every day. He’s fighting for our country and I have so much respect for him and what he does, so it was special to have him there with me.”

It didn’t matter that Young was limited to just 13 plays on offense. He was ready and willing to do whatever his coaches asked of him and eager to gain more experience so he can continue to improve his game.

Click here for the full article.

[rockfan7224]

Awesome read. I'm loving the types of guys Shanahan is building this team with.

[Assassin 21]

I love that they were just as pissed at ****ing Devin Thomas as we were.

[MonkFan8]

I love that they were just as pissed at ****ing Devin Thomas as we were.

Indeed.

I have a good feeling about Young, he showed some nice moves in the preseason. I think he'll be a very capable pass catching FB, too. Much like big Mike was.

[tibbidoe]

That has to be an incredible moment in his life. Look forward to seeing him grow in this offense and rock some people on Special Teams.

HTTR

HTT Young Family

[LetThePointsSoar]

Great read as always murf, really loving how your pieces are showing us deeper looks at a lot of the guys on the roster, keep up the great work.

I love that they were just as pissed at ****ing Devin Thomas as we were.

Agreed - being @ the game, didn't even catch that moment that it was DT - I noticed AA saying something to him as well, and at the time, just assumed it was normal trash talking, and never even put 2 and 2 together that it was Devin. Awesome moment, loving this team culture.

[themurf]

Awesome read. I'm loving the types of guys Shanahan is building this team with.

That has to be an incredible moment in his life. Look forward to seeing him grow in this offense and rock some people on Special Teams.

HTTR

HTT Young Family

I really hope that Darrel Young continues to grow as a player and becomes a staple in this offense. He's such a likable person with a great perspective and I'd really like Redskins fans to get to know more about him.

[THEREALTOR1]

Great article murf!

I'm with you Darrel, I was hoping he'd bring out of the endzone also.

[themurf]

Great article murf!

I'm with you Darrel, I was hoping he'd bring out of the endzone also.

Thanks again to you and everyone else for your support. Stories like this one are fun to share. And I also owe a special thanks to NoLeafClover. He's the guy who wrote the original feature story on Young and his brother, and without that, I never would have known about this interesting family.

[LD0506]

The support is easy when you do such a consistently great job of bringing us views of the team that we wouldn't get anywhere else.

Gotta love this kid and his attitude, this is already the best season in quite a while just by virtue of very real improvements in atmosphere around the team. Might not last, but it'll be fun while it does.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

What a heart warming story that puts the weekend even more in perspective.

On a wider note, congrats on moving up the depth chart this year Darrel. May you keep the position for the next decade and more in DC.

Hail.

[NoLeafClover]

Darrel Young is definitely one of my favorite playerd on the team.

Having talked to him and his family last season for the piece I did for Hail and then interviewing him again on Sunday and hearing how excited he was to have his brotherin the stands for the first time, it's impossible not to root for the guy.

[JMac]

Great read!! Thanks for the work you do Homer!!

[gortiz]

is it me or does this guy look, i guess explosive/elusive with the ball in his hands ... in the open field?

i wonder what he woudl do between the tackles?

I really think we found a good player, how is he doing with his run blocking?? he seems to always get a hit on the right guy. i could tell a huge difference between him and cooley.

the run game ain't doing so though ... don't think its DY's fault.