“Truly I tell you, whatever you of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
- Matthew 25:45
My family loves sports. Football and baseball are our favorites. Sports has always been something that connects us. Both kids played sports and attended sporting events together is a family favorite. From the Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, TCU, and the kids beloved Oklahoma State Cowboys - the Cordell’s can always be found watching sports.
There are so many good lessons you can learn from playing on a team. I have always loved finding the “good ones” as I like to call them. The athletes that have great sportsmanship, leadership and giving spirits are my favorites. Adrian Beltre, Peyton Manning, Jason Witten, Dirk Nowitzki, Dak Precott, Drew Brees and the list goes on and on.
On NFL Draft Day, we are all glued to the TV. This year there was one particular story that caught my attention. The story of Alabama running back Najee Harris. If you know Alabama football, then you know how impressive it is that Najee is the leading running back in Alabama history. He ended his college career with 3,843 rushing yards and 57 touchdowns. On Draft Day, Najee was the 24th draft pick in round one. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and I am sure we are going to hear a lot more about Najee in the years to come, however, that is not the best part of his story.
Najee grew up in California in the Bay Area. His family (mom, dad, and four siblings) hit hard times and they had to live in the Greater Richmond Interfaith Homeless Shelter for many years.
They were able to finally move out, but they would move from home to home or apartment to apartment 8-10 times before Najee would graduate high school. Najee was given a great opportunity at Alabama and there he seized it and made the most of his time.
Now it was Draft Day and Najee was predicted to go early. Most young men who are predicted to go in round one dress up in their finest attire, throw lavish parties, attend the event in a chauffeured limousine, but not Najee. Najee would return to the homeless shelter where he once lived and there he threw an NFL Draft party for the residents. He ordered pizza, wings, soda, and cakes. He decorated the shelter in festive balloons and streamers and he himself put together goodie bags for all of the kids. He drove himself there in an old car he felt lucky to have and took pictures with everyone at the shelter including the pizza delivery guy. Najee sat with the children and told them that he was raised in the shelter and if he could achieve his dreams so could all of them.
What an incredible act of remembering where you came from and what happened in your life. Najee told reporters, “ You know there was a time when my family needed a helping hand and this place helped us get back on our feet….So, now it is my job to give back.”
Jesus said, “ Whenever you do it unto the least of these, you do it unto me.” There is a time in life when all of us need a helping hand. But when we get back on your feet, maybe it is our turn to offer that helping hand to someone else. And that is how we share the gift of God’s love and hope in the world. Maybe today, if you find that you are on your feet, go out and give a blessing to the least of these.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, There are many times when we feel down and defeated. Let us remember to accept those that extend a helping hand. Then, when things are going well, let us remember to be the helping hand to others. Amen!
Written By: Kim Cordell