Colts all-pro running back Edggerin James is a class act. He's as good as they come -- on the field and off
Maybe it's his golden smile, or his dreds, or his habit of returning to his south Florida roots in the off-season, but I think many Hoosiers don't fully appreciate "the Edge." But we should. And with all the talk that the Colts may not be able to retain his services next year, we should all realize what a truly outstanding athlete -- and person -- he is.
In a time when we hear of sports tantrums (like Terrell Owens), and behavioral excesses (like the Vikings "Love Boat" cruise), we hear nothing of that about James. Oh sure, there were annual off-season reports that James wanted to play for the Dolphins -- but you only heard that from those reporting rumors, never from James. And this past season the media was all a-buzz that James would hold out because he had been tabbed with the "franchise" tag. But when training camp opened, there was James. And through the first seven games of the NFL season, James has simply been the MVP of the league -- hands down.
This past summer my teenage son and I tried outdoor paintball. One Sunday afternoon, while loading up for the next paintball battle, in pulled a luxury SUV, followed by several others. When the door opened, out hopped a familiar face with dreds and a golden smile. It was Edggerin James and about 15 other Indianapolis Colts. They had a private paintball party scheduled.
But unlike athletes who brush aside fans, or only sign autographs when paid to do so, the Edge -- and all the Colts players -- were friendly and polite. Just like most of the others there, they were simply a bunch of good young guys having a good time. It was a good example for my son and for all the other young people who were there. It is just like the way James has supported high school athletes in Indianapolis by showing up at high school football games.
Recently Hurricane Wilma hammered James' south Florida home. So there he was -- on his one week off during the grueling NFL season -- striking up a deal with Sam's Club to buy supplies, food and water for the victims of Hurricane Wilma. He took some of his limited days off to go down to south Florida to help hand out those supplies -- and in the process gave a needed lift to those who could shake his hand and know they weren't forgotten.
And by the way -- Edggerin James handed out those supplied at the Youth Center which he built for the young people in the small town where he grew up.
So the next time you see those dreds and that familiar golden smile -- let him know that you appreciate him. And even though his style is different from most midwesterners, you know he has the heart of a Hoosier.
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