Big Dogs Little Man: April 2012

Monday, April 30, 2012

The Good

I want to begin by apologizing for not having the video on this. Despite my best efforts I have not found a version of this online.

None the less, this speech, this one speech for me is a powerful reminder of what it means to be a father. I remember the first time I watched it. I was at a meeting for work years ago; it was the first time tears filled my eyes at work.

I try to come back to it from time to time and it always has something to teach me, maybe you will find something in it that you like.

Michael Munoz – NFL Hall of Fame Introduction speech for his father, Anthony Munoz.

Thank you. I know that you expect me to introduce to you another great football player. And in a way I am. I’m not going to focus on the fact that he was the number one draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1980. Despite the fact that he suffered three knee injuries out of four years including his senior season at USC. I’m not going to focus on him being the first player ever selected to eleven consecutive Pro Bowls. Or his unanimous selection to the team of decade. Or even the NFL 75th Anniversary team.

Instead, I’m going to use this time to say thanks to my dad for what he has meant in my life. Dad, thank you for always being there. By coming home when you could have gone out with the guys. Or by not taking jobs so you could watch me and Michelle play basketball and football. Thank you for taking us with you whenever and wherever you could. I never remember watching you play but I always remember being there. I remember going to Spinney Field, I remember going to Pro Bowls, trying to catch Reggie Roby’s mile-high punts. Getting Bruce Smith’s shoe autographed and getting Howie Long’s practice jersey. I thank you for keeping us in your heart when you’re away on the road. By bringing us gifts or calling us on the phone to let us know that you love us. Thanks for always being there.

And thank you for always being consistent, in your work ethic. I remember Michelle and I would go to Sycamore High School. And you’d be running and you would run and run and run. And me and Michelle would say ‘are you done yet?’ And he would start his sprints. And thank you for being consistent in your walk with the lord. You’ve always been consistent in leading our daily prayers. No matter what happens, good or bad, easy or hard, I’ve seen you trust God and be consistent in what you say and what you do. Thank you for always being there, always being consistent but most of all thank you for always being a real person. You’ve been my model. I’ve learned to say ‘I’m sorry, I was wrong’ from you being big enough to admit your mistakes. You have modeled humility. I have learned to respect women because of the how you have loved and respected Mom.

You’ve also been my mentor. You’ve taught me technique, strategy, moves and drills. You’ve taught me how to let my actions speak louder than my words. And to make people more important than things. And finally you’ve shown me how to be a man. Recently, in Ontario, California where you grew up, his former classmates and friends all had the same basic thing to say about him. Everybody knew who the big man on campus was. Except for one person and that was him. Humility has always been a hallmark for your life. You have showed me strength under control and how to be tough while still being tender. You are a real man.

Ladies and gentleman, I’d like to introduce to you a great football player, a great friend, a great father and a great husband. He is a man who stands tall among men because he is a man who walks with God. He is a man of God. I introduce to you, my father Anthony Muñoz.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

He Will Be Levon ~ Rest In Peace

April 19th, 2012 marked the end of an era. Years ago as my taste in music took a sharp turn towards folk I couldn't help but marvel at Levon Helm and his work with The Band. He will be missed but his music will live on..

Thank you Levon for so many important gifts to the soundtrack of my life.