NFL: Players Leaguewide Honor Bengals’ Still
It is not uncharacteristic for a professional athlete to cry after a devastating loss to an opponent, but on October 6th, Cincinnati Bengal’s Devon Still cried before the game even started. These tears had nothing to do with the impending game against the New England Patriots; they were tears of gratitude to Patriots owner Robert Kraft and the New England Patriots Cheerleaders.
The backstory goes as follows: Devon Still has a four-year-old daughter who is stricken with pediatric cancer. Still, an average—at best—linebacker, was released by the Bengals, but kept on the practice squad, in order to maintain his insurance benefits. Still’s daughter Leah has been battling this disease for the past eight months, and The Bengals also started a fundraising campaign at the ProShop and will donate all proceeds from sales of Stills’ jersey to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and pediatric cancer care and research. Though this player’s talent may not be of any significance to the sport, his daughter’s story has caught on and the rally throughout the league has been undeniable.
In an October 6th showdown with the New England Patriots, the New England Cheerleaders all came out of the locker room, each donning her own Devon Still jersey. The announcement throughout the stadium was that this was in honor of Leah Still, and the battle that she is currently enduring. New England team owner Robert Kraft then followed up this good will gesture by donating $25,000 dollars to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Devon Still was speechless.
This is the type of goodwill gesture that the NFL should be focusing on. At a time when so many of the stories emanating from this league have to do with either sexual assault, domestic abuse, or child abuse, it is a shame that this has not garnished as much publicity as the Ray Rice incident. There are numerous good will stories taking place around the league and the tears of sorrow that are shed should be equally reflected by the tears of gratitude and joy that this league is responsible for as well.
