I recently visited family in Missouri, and while I was there, I was lucky enough to hear stories about some of the proudest players in the NFL from their home state – some of the best players to have ever set foot on the field! The first one that comes to mind is Chris Michaels – the Hall of Fame tight end who set records for receptions and yards in the 1993 season. He was a player who had the fans from Missouri cheering him on with every play and every touchdown.
The second Missouri native in the NFL that I’d like to talk about is Drew Lock, who’s currently quarterbacking for the Broncos. Although he’s still somewhat inexperienced compared to the other quarterbacks in the league, he has been doing quite well and his name is rising up the ranks. It holds a special place in my heart to hear folk from my home state doing so well on the football field.
The third and final player that I’d like to bring up is Aaron Donald. This Rams defensive tackle is widely regarded as one of the premier players in the game today. Not only is he an exceptional athlete, his level of tenacity has earned him the nickname ‘The Wrecking Ball’. Not to mention, it was his performance last year that led the Rams to make it to the Super Bowl.
It’s truly amazing to follow the stories of these players from Missouri, watching them capture the hearts of football fans from not only their home state, but around the world. It’s incredible to think that these individuals have worked so hard to become some of the best players in the game, and it’s inspiring to see the amount of effort and dedication that goes into each player’s story. Not to mention, they are all so humble and grateful for what they have achieved.
I think this speaks to the pride, heart, and passion that Kansas City has been best known for. It is no wonder that so many great athletes have come out of this great state! It’s the people here that make the difference, and without them, the players I mentioned wouldn’t have been so successful.
Moving away from the athletes, the passion and enthusiasm of Kansas City’s fans certainly has to be given due credit. It seems like every Sunday, they rally around their teams and show their support. It can be heard in the stands as they chant for their favorite players and cheer when they make a great play. This kind of spirit goes a long way in motivating the players and pushing them to do even better.
It also doesn’t hurt that Missouri has some of the most talented coaches in the league. Guys like Jeff Fisher, Andy Reid, and John Harbaugh have been able to bring out the best in their players and have brought their teams to the top of the rankings.
I’m so glad that I was able to take an up close and personal look at some of the most dynamic players in the game today, and that over the years, they have continued to succeed and make their home state proud. It’s a great lesson for all of us about what it takes to be great, and I hope to continue to cheer on my home state players for many years to come.