Vince Papale also instilled an attitude and example for the rest of the TEAM to follow as well. For a man in his position to come in as a long shot, there's no doubt at first, people were betting against him. I personally know people with courage such as Papale who refuse to allow anything to get in their way regardless of the odds. I hope I'm not out of line here, but, when I think of someone who I know, up close and personal, the name "Leurquin" comes to mind. This couple is probably the single most reason that we chose carry on when it would have been real easy to just quit. They never ask for any credit or play the victim, they just keep taking their shots and bouncing back. They are great encouragers and refuse to be discouragers! They understand why God placed them in the leadership role he has and they've embraced it with class and dignity. If it's okay to say, the Leurquin's are "poster children" for what the TEAM is all about. I'm proud to call them my friends. They are a humble couple and probably would rather I didn't forward this, but, as far as I'm concerned and many will back me here......They've earned it! Thanks Orrin for your example and creating such a massive ripple effect that is so badly needed in our culture. My pride boils over for this great organization known as TEAM!
God's blessings to all~ Gary S.

Speaking of opportunity & preparedness, here's a great link from Business Professor Ernest Kudrow (via NYTimes.com) who lived through the Great Depression and gives his assessment of how prepared today's young people are to weather the conditions that he survived nearly 80 years ago. http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/national/thenewhardtimes/index.html#/kurnow

I recently watched the movie Invincible about Papale, what amazing lessons!!! I love football anyway, and Vince was so real. His life is such a Dream Struggle Victory! Even though a friend said Vince would still be a nobody, Vince didn't let him steal his dream. May I learn such a lesson.