Recent news that Dodge would no longer support the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is strongly suggesting that America's number three automaker is seriously reconsidering every single one of its marketing and publicity ventures. The NASCAR exit shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone in light of the automakers' big losses and huge need to raise capital.

But, Dodge's departure from NASCAR does shine the light on what could be additional changes to the motorsports industry: cash strapped Ford and GM might also be looking at ways to trim nonessential expenses, turning the Dodge void into a gaping hole, one that could threaten NASCAR's survival or at least its broad appeal.

Dodge's parent, Chrysler LLC, hasn't been a big player in the truck series of late, supporting only one team, Bobby Hamilton Racing. The automaker is well represented in both car series, winning several races this year while accumulating numerous top ten finishes. Still, even in auto racing Toyota, GM and Ford dominate, lavishing their teams and cars with cash in a bid to pull down more wins each year.

There is another matter which could create a gaping hole in the motorsports industry that no one is talking about yet. The Big 3 automakers – General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler – are pursuing what amounts to be a $50 billion low-interest loan package from the federal government to help the automakers transition their product lines from trucks and SUVs to small cars.

That plan is working its way through Congress and is expected to gain widespread partisan support and end up on the president's desk for his signature. Though President Bush hasn't tipped his hand yet on whether he'll approve the legislation or not, the legislation could be delayed until the next president takes office in January 2009.

What isn't known is what Congress will demand in return for low cost loans. Some analysts are speculating that Congress will require that the monies fund specific programs, including hybrid vehicles and alternative powered engines and related technology. A handful of people are thinking that Congress may use the loan guaranty as a way to force the automakers to divest themselves of unrelated programs which, conceivably, could include NASCAR participation.

Regardless of the strings attached, additional changes are coming which will shape the future of General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler LLC. A NASCAR truck series departure for Dodge may not sound like a big deal, but it underscores the financial difficulties found in America's auto industry and the political help needed to see the companies through these difficult times.

The Playstation Systems. As number three in a line of Playstation products, Playstation 3 ($599.99) boasts new parallel processing that enables broadband multiplayer action. It's built in Blu-Ray disc drive promises high definition gaming, tons of media storage, streaming videos, music and an online service leaving you little to desire.

It's predecessor, system number two, sells for only $19.99 and networks as well (just not as fast as system number three). With over 1,400 games to choose from, it's hard to argue against this bargain.

PSP is hot again ($169.99) and integrates 3D gaming on widescreen with high fidelity stereo music, full motion video, communication and wireless networking.

Playstation 2 Accessories. If you're still "old schooling" your Playstation, then you'll enjoy Playstation's Dual Shock 2 Analog Controller ($24.99), Wireless NERF controller ($29.99), or it's 8MB memory card ($24.99). But the music doesn't stop there. It plays on with the SingStar Pop game and accessory pack ($49.99) or the Guitar Hero II ($79.99).

Playstation 3 Accessories. What's required? The Playstation 3 system sports two different kinds of controllers: a standard Chillstream controller ($39.99) and a Sixaxis Wireless controller ($49.99). Combined with the Blu-ray remote control ($24.99), you can have complete domination over your system in no time.

PSP Accessories.  Never interrupt your game play again with a 2GB Memory Stick Pro Duo ($69.99) or 4Gb Memory Stick Pro Duo ($109.99). Carry your handheld in a Platinum Pack ($19.99) or Traveler Case ($19.99). And don't forget a carry all for your media ($14.99). PSP's Media Manager ($24.99) will keep you organized as well.

Playstation Games. Looking for games? We've separated this part of our guide into two sections: one for children and one for adults. Use caution when purchasing Playstation games for players under 18 years of age.

Playstation 2 Games
FOR CHILDREN:

MLB 07: The Show $59.99
ATV 4: Off Road Fury $39.99
Meet the Robinsons $29.99
Dance Dance Revolution: supernova $39.99
Durnout: Dominator $39.99
NBS Street Homecourt $59.99

FOR ADULTS:
Shadow of the Colossus $19.99
God of War $19.99
Gran Turismo 4 $19.99
Socum U.S. Navy Seals Combines Assault $39.99
Rogue Galaxy $39.99
God of War II $49.99
Destroy All Humans! 2 $39.99
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories $19.99
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas $19.99
Medal of Honor: Vanguard $39.99
Dawn of Mana $39.99
Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion $59.99
Resistance: Fall of Man $59.99
MotorStorm $59.99

Playstation 3 Games
FOR CHILDREN:

MLB 07: The Show $59.99
NBS Street Homecourt $59.99

FOR ADULTS:

Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion $59.99
Resistance: Fall of Man $59.99
MotorStorm $59.99

NOTE: Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion is works with all Playstations and is a game

COMING SOON:
Lair
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2

PSP Games
FOR CHILDREN:

Ultimate Board Game Collection $39.99
Street Horizon $39.99
MLB 07: The Show $39.99
Rachet & Clank: Size Matters $39.99
Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition 19.99
Full Auto 2: Battlelines: $39.99

NOTE: Street Horizon brings both turn-based and real-time strategy game play.

FOR ADULTS:

300: March to Glory: $29.99
Socum U.S. Navy Seals Combines Assault $39.99
After Burner Black Falcon $39.99
Dragonball Z Shin Budokai Another Road $39.99
The Warriors $19.99
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories $29.99
Prince of Persia: Rival Swords $39.99
Rocky Balboa $39.99

COMING SOON:
Dungeons & Dragons: Tactics
Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2

Clint Bowyer, the 26 year old savvy racer from Emporia, Kansas, started racing in motocross at the young age of five. He was a good on two wheels but soon discovered that he was even better on four wheels after his grandfather brought him to a dirt track in Humboldt, Kansas. His father, Chris Bowyer, wasnt very happy with his second sons decision at first because the family had already invested a lot of time and money into motorcycles and the young Clint Bowyer had shown a lot of potential. His older brother, Andy Bowyer, was racing motocross nationally. Eventually, Chris Bowyer supported his young son because of his enthusiasm.

His mother lays claim that they werent in it to make him a NASCAR star but rather they did it because they enjoyed it as a family. After awhile, the whole family turned to four wheels and Chris even set up a shop in his storage lot near his towing company in Emporia. Even until this day, his parents and their dog follow the Cup circuit in a motor home to show their support to Bowyer and it has paid off.

Because Bowyers father had many drivers for customers, he would hang around race shops to try and pick their brains. By the time he was 15, he was driving short-bed Chevy pickup that he had put together with the spare parts from his fathers storage lot. He was also working at a Goodyear shop in middle school to pick up the tools of the trade. From there, he was taught what made a person successful with their cars.

Bowyer is a fierce competitor and the markings of a winner was clear from the get go. He won and liked it. When he is on the race track, he is in it to win the trophy. Since racing at the age of five, Bowyer has gone on to achieve over 200 wins and countless championships throughout the years. He broke into the street stocks scene in 1996 at age 17 during the Thunderhill Speedway in Mayetta, Kansas. He counts that as one of his most memorable races because an angry competitor had chased a flagman into a bathroom for 45 minutes and threatened to crush the winner, only to then realize that the winner was 17 years old.

Dick Ross, who was tuning up Bowyers engine that night, realized that Bowyer was made out of special material when Bowyer managed to guide home a 50,000-pound fire truck, a 6-foot towing chain during a 10 mile stretch of two lane highway in central Kansas without getting a scratch on the vehicle.

4 years later, Bowyer went back to the Thunderhill Speedway and won the 2000 Modified championship and finished second in the Modified points at Lakeside Speedway. He continued to get 18 more wins, 32 top fives in 40 starts en route to the 2001 Modified Championships at Lakeside Speedway and Heartland Park. After that he was made the 2002 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series Midwest Champion after another Modified Championship at Lakeside Speedway and a Late Model crown at 1-70 Speedway in Odessa. Bowyer has gone on to win a great many more championships when he began running for the NASCAR Busch Series in 2004.

His parents are still in awe at how much their son has achieved and they are still amazed when fans congratulate them. Although Bowyer now resides in North Carolina, he still enjoys going back home where people still remember him as Clint and not the NASCAR star. And like any Kansas native, he believes that the best barbecues cant beat Kansas Citys barbecue.

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The Suzuki Motor Corporation bears little resemblance to the ancestor that gave birth to it at the turn of the twentieth century. Although it is hardly recognizable as the same company, its founder Michio Suzuki would have no trouble recognizing the company that still bears his family name.

In the beginning, the company was known as the Suzuki Loom Company. It was located in the tiny seaside village of Hamamatsu, Japan. At this time, Japan had a huge silk industry and the Suzuki Loom Company built weaving looms. Mr. Suzuki held over 120 patents in loom building technology and exported the looms overseas as well.

Although the loom company was extremely successful, Mr. Suzuki was interested in diversifying. Because the population of Japan at this time was beginning to take interest in motorized transportation, Mr. Suzuki turned his attention to producing small automobiles. His venture was quite successful. He began producing his small passenger vehicles in 1937. Shortly after launching into the auto manufacturing business, Japan became deeply embroiled in World War II. Just as most manufacturing companies had done, Suzuki plants were converted over to production of military equipment. With the end of the war, Suzuki needed capital so it went back to what it knew the production of looms. When United States began shipping cotton to Japan, the company really began to prosper. Unfortunately, this would prove to be short-lived. The cotton market collapsed in 1941 and Mr. Suzuki’s original plans to diversify were once more put into action.

Once the war ended, the Japanese were once again interested in motorized transportation. While several companies offered a clip on type motor that was designed to be attached to a regular bicycles, Suzuki developed one of the first two stroke motorized cycles known as the “PowerFree” to be developed in Japan. The cycles were inexpensive and easy to maintain and allowed the rider to either pedal with engine assistance pedal without engine assistance or allow the engine to provide total vehicle propulsion. The Japanese government found the concept so innovative that they offered Suzuki a financial incentive to continue research in the new motorized cycle. In 1956 Suzuki Motor Corporation was born. Since that time Suzuki has expanded into manufacturing compact cars, motorcycles, ATV’s, outboard engines and motorized wheelchairs.

Suzuki now maintains a full time presence in the United States And American Suzuki is headquartered in Brea, California. The company is currently partnered with General Motors to market different styles of SUV’s and Compact cars here in the United States. In 2004, Suzuki again in conjunction with General Motors purchased the bankrupt Daewoo Motors.

Though the U.S economy has been steadily contracting, Suzuki has continued to post earnings in every quarter. In addition, by 2006 had sold more than 100,000 vehicles in the United States. The Suzuki Grand Vitara has been responsible for a large portion of Suzuki’s success here in America. The Grand Vitara has attracted many of the young, well-educated buyers looking for vehicles large enough to suit family life but also have a proven record of responsible environmentalism.

Next time when damage occurs to your motorcycle, you will think twice to buy new body parts. The best option at this time is to go for used motorcycle parts. They will help you to save your money greatly. You can see that when you get your vehicle repaired, it costs you less with used motorcycle parts.

Are you in search of a place to buy used motorcycle parts? There are various options from where you can make a choice. You can buy used motorcycle parts from a dealer who has brand name. This is the safest way to buy used motorcycle parts. The general dealer shop is another source from where you can buy used motorcycle parts. You can get different brands in such general dealer shops. They have parts that are suitable for bikes of different quality. They might not be selling branded products or products removed from branded motorcycles. If you are not in much contact with the dealer or if he is a stranger to you, it is better to buy from the owner directly than to go for a general dealer. Such possibilities may not always be feasible to you and that’s why more and more people search online when such a need arises.

Auctions are another place from where you can get used motorcycle parts. This is a suitable place only for experienced people. Those beginners who are not that aware of auctions should not depend on them to buy used motorcycle parts.

Buying from the previous owner is another option to buy used motorcycle parts. Here you will have a chance to know more about the product and the history about it. You will come to know the entire details concerning the bike. Now you get a chance to negotiate with the owner when the price matter comes in. if he is a person whom you know before, there are chances that you get the used motorcycle parts at reduced rate. The difficulty with this option is that when you are not that aware of the market rate of used motorcycle parts, you will be cheated.

The last option is to depend on online shops for buying used motorcycle products. You get chances to search for the product you are looking for directly in the website. With the help of the reviews, you can know more about each internet shop selling used motorcycle parts. This is the most useful and beneficial method to buy used motorcycle parts. This is the easiest and simplest method as you can collect the complete details online sitting at your home.

When buying used motorcycle parts always try to pay ready cash. When you are ready to pay the cash at the time of delivery, the seller will also be ready to come for negotiation of price. Make sure that you are buying from the most trustworthy source. Since you are buying used motorcycle parts, the quality can be a problem. You must not be ready to compromise the quality of the product for the price, which will lead you to trouble.

A decade ago motorcycles had speed, looks, and style. They have certainly improved with each passing year. Year after year motorcycle manufacturers get more innovative, produce faster, lighter and more comfortable motorcycles, and learn what works and what doesn't. What are the favorites from 2007?

- Yamaha V Star 1300 Tourer.

These motorcycles have a V2 engine with an electric starter and a liquid cooling system. The seat was 28.1 inches and the dry weight was 668 pounds. It was made with a double cradle frame and a telescopic fork front suspension with a swingarm rear suspension. These motorcycles had single disc rear brakes and double disc front brakes. They have a fuel capacity of 4.88 gallons.

- BMW R1200GS

These motorcycles have a two cylinder boxer engine. They also have an electronic fuel injection with an electric starter. These motorcycles had oil and air cooled engines and a 6-speed gearbox. At 438 pounds, they were meant for speed. These off road motorcycles came in desert yellow metallic, rock red metallic, ocean blue metallic, or granite gray metallic. Though the fuel capacity is a whopping 5.28 gallons, the consumption is 1.45 gallons for every 6.2 miles.

- Yamaha WR 450 F

These are also off road motorcycles. They have a single cylinder engine, with a liquid cooling system. At just 246 pounds, it is nearly two-thirds the weight of the BMW R1200GS motorcycles. The front suspension is a telescopic fork, the rear a swingarm. The fuel capacity on these motorcycles is a mere 2.10 gallons. These motorcycles had single disc brake systems for both front and rear.

- Yamaha FZ1 Fazer

These naked motorcycles had in line four engines with an electric starter. They also had a liquid cooling system, a final drive chain transmission, and digital ignition. Like the BMW R1200GS, these Yamaha motorcycles weighed 438 pounds. The frame was aluminum die cast and the front suspension was telescopic upside down forks. The rear a swingarm suspension. These motorcycles had double disc front brakes and single disc rear brakes. Fuel capacity on these motorcycles is 4.76 gallons.

- Harley Davidson VRSCX

These custom or cruiser motorcycles have a V2 engine. They have an electronic sequential port fuel injection system and liquid cooling system. The seat is a mere 27.1 inches high and the weight 637 pounds. These motorcycles are 5-speed with a final drive belt transmission. The front and rear brakes are both single disc four piston. These motorcycles came in two tone mirage orange pearl or brilliant silver pearl. It has a 5 gallon fuel capacity.

- Victory Vegas Jackpot

Like the Harley Davidson VRSCX, these motorcycles are also custom or cruiser motorcycles. With a V2 engine, an air cooling system, and final drive belt transmission, it has many of the same features as the Harley Davidson VRSCX motorcycles. It has an electronic fuel injection system and a 6-speed gearbox. These motorcycles had an even shorter seat at 25.7 inches high. Though the seat was lower, they were a bit heavier weighing 659 pounds. The fuel capacity was 4.5 gallons and colors included black, orange crush, or sunset red.

Fox Racing is known for its exclusive and high end motorcycle apparel that focuses on comfort and quality. The range of motocross boots for women, men and kids is truly astounding and provides good value for money.

ATV racing gear

Choose from the select range of Fox Racing backpacks, casual jackets, protective motocross accessories like kidney belts and other protective gear. The range of motocross jersey collection from Fox Racing is also attractive and priced reasonably. The printed jackets are an all time favorite and are available for men, women and kids alike. The range of Carbon motorcycle jackets is a hit with all motocross fans across the globe. The insulator black Camo jackets are also very popular and available in sizes medium, large and extra large.

Offroad helmets

Fox Racing's exclusive range of motorcycle helmets are known for their tough exterior and protective materials used. The Tracer Pro 2008 ranges of motocross helmets are available in the superb Black Skullo collection. These motorcycle helmets are available in vibrant colors like pink, brown, black, blue, red, silver and many other exciting colors as well. The Print and Tracer Pro collections are some of the best and most in demand these days. The most popular motorcycle helmets seem to be the High Noon Black V2 2008 helmets. These are in sizes XSM and can be customized to suit different requirements.

Protective gear

For all those racing enthusiasts Fox Racing believes in responsible riding and that is why it has brought out an exclusive range of protective gear. The range of elbow pads, riding shorts, knee guards etc. constitute just some of the many motocross accessories that protect the tough riders of today. However, Fox Racing also believes that protective gear need not be boring in any way. This is why their range of colors is also astounding comprising black, red, grey, silver and other vibrant hues.

Goggles for eye protection

Motocross racing can be tough not just on the joints and the body but the eyes as well. This is one reason Fox Racing has brought out an amazing range of goggles for all motocross racing enthusiasts. The Black Pinstripe or Clear, Encore, Jet Black, Matte, Navy, Pink, Red, White, Silver, Vertigo, Blue, Explode, Shard Blue ranges of motocross accessories are simply amazing. Some of the most popular ones are the Tarantula goggles, Charcoal and clear fade goggles which offer protection and style at the same time!

Chestprotectors

The range of chest protectors from Fox Racing is one of the most sought after motorcycle accessories amongst riding enthusiasts. The Airframe range of chest protectors and Launch Suit collections are amongst the most popular. These are available for men, women and children and comprise an assortment of vibrant colors like red, black, chrome colors. These are also available in numerous sizes like large, extra large, small etc. You can also select these motocross accessories in colors like grey, medium blue, medium black, white etc.

The fine collection of motocross helmets is highly popular with motocross riders even to this day. Although the brand started manufacturing motorcycle helmets many decades ago their durability and class sets them apart till today.

Motocross helmets

The collection of motorcycle helmets from Arai is especially designed for adults. The VX Pro is one of the most popular and sought after styles today. It comes in a wide range of colors such as blue, orange, silver, red, black and many other exciting color combinations. Each of these motocross helmets comes with a guarantee for the best fit in the market. Focusing on comfort for the motocross rider Arai has manufactured these super comfort fitting motorcycle helmets. The inner liner of these motocross helmets is cool and dry and extremely lightweight. In fact, they promise that it is so lightweight that the rider won't even know he is wearing a helmet! The presence of a Hypershark II Peak along with an adjustable forced air intake makes this helmet truly a must-have. The dry cool lining is completely detachable and helps provide more moisture and removal of heat inside. The cheek pads of these motorcycle helmets are also detachable to provide for a customized form fit. The helmets also come with a roost deflector which is an optional attachment. In order to prevent any kind of digging or snagging the chinbar region has a smooth radius. A controlled ventilation mechanism along with CLC fiberglass composites helps facilitate the usage of lightweight lining materials inside the motocross helmets. The central vent shape of the chinbar is also ergonomically designed for maximum comfort. The side exhaust vents are large in the chinbar area and these motorcycle helmets all exceed recommended D.O.T. and Snell standards and regulations.

Motocross accessories

Arai also has an interesting collection of motocross accessories especially for the motorcycle helmets they manufacture. The Arai VX-Pro visor comes in green and white colors and is made of highly resistant and durable composite materials. It is also priced very reasonably to make it easy for even beginner motocross riders to purchase these high quality visors.

Tools and miscellaneous gear

Arai is also famous for their well known collections of crossbar pads, grips and gear bags. For example each of their crossbar pad motocross accessories has been designed keeping in mind the durability aspect as well as comfort fit for the wearer. Their washing boxes are also very popular especially as these help to prevent water accumulation inside the carburetor. Their gear bags have interesting color choices and combinations such as red and black, silver and white and many others. The collection of handlebars and grip motorcycle accessories is also a huge favorite amongst all motocross riders. These come with high tensile materials as well as great rubber grips that provide a sturdy hold on the handlebars. So, if you are looking for the very best in motocross accessories then Arai is the brand you need to shop for.

I started playing ball at Rice one year before Larry.  My last known playing size was 6'3" 245 lbs;  Larry was listed at 5'11" and 210 lbs.  We were both fast and reckless on the field, talented, gifted, fundamentally sound, and strong.  One of us made it pro, the other one didn't.

 When I was 4, my brother got a new Huffy for his birthday.  I was still on an old bike with training wheels.  Of course, I wanted to be on a new bike like my older brother.  My parents lived paycheck to paycheck and did not want to buy a new bike for a 4 year old that didn't even know how to ride.  But I begged and pleaded anyway.  To no avail.  However, the silver lining to the "no" that I kept receiving was when my dad said, "Son, when you can ride a bike without training wheels, I'll buy you a new bike."

 This past week while on vacation, I was spending the day, like most days off at the pool in my backyard.  I've got 4 kids aged 12 ( Austin ), 10 ( Hunter ), 4 ( Taylor ), and 2 about to be 3 (Skylar).  Now, Austin and Hunter are capable of swimming and staying out of any trouble in the pool.  Taylor has recently learned and is very confident and capable in the water.  We have to keep an eye on her just to make sure she doesn't get herself into a jam.  Skylar, on the other hand, is able to swim short distances of 10-15 feet.  He feels most comfortable near the edge of the pool.

 Throughout the week, I liked to challenge the older kids to underwater games like sitting on the bottom, standing on their hands the longest, walking on their hands, or simply, who can hold their breath the longest.  I noticed Skylar many times hanging on the edge and dunking himself underwater only to come up quickly after to catch his breath.  My wife, Tracy, said to me, "Look at him, he's testing his limits."  I agreed proudly.  As the days progressed, I noticed that he was letting go of the wall now, but would quickly grab it as he surfaced.

 Then, on Thursday, I was sitting in the hot tub enjoying the laughter and splashing with my wife, Tracy.  Without worry, I was keeping and eye on Skylar while he continued his plunge, release the wall, resurface and grab the wall.  So he continued.  Suddenly, he burst up through the water with enough energy to grab 100% of my attention.  He was smiling immensely and could not wait to catch his breath until the water ran off his face.  As he drew in his smiling breath through pool water running off of his head, he exclaimed, "DADDY!  I TOUCH THE BOTTOM ALL BY M'SELF!"

 Of course I praised him for his accomplishment thinking of how far he has come lately with his confidence and ability in the water.  He continued.  Then, I realized.  This boy had a goal!  He was excited because he had accomplished a goal!  I turned to  Tracy and asked, "when do we stop growing?"  My wife is an extraordinary person in regards to knowing what she wants and getting it.  She responded simply, that we hadn't.  I said, "No, humans adults, why do they stop growing?"  She let me ponder that thought.

 Over the next couple of days, I thought about the fact that we don't actually ever stop growing and learning.  It's all about pain and pleasure no matter how young or old we are.  Either we experience enough pain to stop what we are doing or we experience enough pleasure to continue.  Pain, however, can stop us from taking risks.  Trying the unknown can be painful so why should we try that?  A toddler doesn't have that choice.  HE OR SHE MUST CONTINUE TO TRY THE UNKNOWN!  It is in their genetic make-up or they will forever remain in that state.  Why should we, as adults,  stunt our growth by not trying the unknown? 

 During the past week, I have learned that my wife is superwoman.  I have experience kids peeing, pooping, fighting, arguing, whining, falling down, running through the house only to run into someone else or something, getting cut, getting bruised, getting thirsty, getting hungry, eating, and getting hungry and eating again before I could ever eat a meal.  In addition, my 2 year old has opened every board game owned in the Soward home (while I was napping) and scattered pieces throughout 2 rooms.  And, let me mention that he also personally opened a Smithsonian Institute Crystal Growing Chemistry Set owned by my 10 year old and managed to spread the powder throughout my study, foyer, hallway, and 2 bedrooms.  Believe me, he experienced a little pain to remind him not to do that again!

 As I look back through the week and thinking of Skylar's accomplishment in the pool and explorations in the home, it makes me realize this is simply the process that God intended.  This is how we grow.  Sometimes we are praised for trying something new.  And there are times where we are hurt.  No matter what the day brings, we are always growing and learning.  The difference betweent the champions and losers is that champions apply the lessons learned.

 Several years ago, I was speaking with my former teammate Larry after a UT-Rice football game.  Larry now plays for the New England Patriots and was off that weekend.  He has 3 Superbowl rings.  He has been playing pro ball since 1996.  He was undrafted after his college career ended.  However, he was invited to attend the training camp for Jimmy Johnson's Miami Dolphins.  This was Jimmy Johnson's first year coaching the Dolphins and was well know for his strict style.  After the first pre-season game, Coach Johnson told reporters that only 2 people have made the team thus far, "Dan Marino and Larry Izzo."  You see, Larry was on the kick-off return team, not known for its glamour, and had knocked down an opponent running at him full speed.  He got up and knocked down a second opponent.  In the world of professional football and all of its talent and athleticism, only the spirt of a warrior and the heart of a champion could accomplish this.

 Larry reminded me in our conversation that "only if I hadn't gotten into the doghouse (with a former college coach)" I could have made it.  Knowing what he knows now, I had the talent and the recklessness that needed to be had in order to be, at least,  a special teams standout.  It was bitter-sweet.  Part of me wishes that he would have said that I wasn't talented enough to make it rather than blaming it on the "doghouse."  You see, I put myself in that "doghouse."  At some point I committed my life to being what I called a "fatally-flawed hero."  However, no one saw me as a hero.  I drank and partied away my career because I was scared to set and miss a goal.  I was no longer the 4 year old boy that was told, "When you can ride a bike, I'll buy you one," and learned to ride a bike without training wheels in less than a week.  I was the guy with the talent, that the people with the heart wish they had the talent of.  Several years ago, before Larry and I spoke I had come to realize this and turned my life around.  It took me 12 years to get up and seek another opponent to knock down.   Every now and then, I am reminded to have the spirt of a warrior and the heart of a champion.  This week I was again by a 2 year old.

 Like Larry, Skylar knocked down one goal last Thursday by touching the bottom of the pool and by Sunday had actually sat on the bottom of the pool while I watched him through my goggled eyes smile at me underwater because he had just knocked down his second opponent. 

 We face adversity each and every day.  That is the Devil's plan.  God's plan is for us to get up, show up, knock 'em down, and knock 'em down again.  You have a goal and that is to be the best in all that you do.  In faith, family and work, be the best that you can be.  There are opponents in your way.  Find out who or what is in your way and knock them down one at a time.  But first, knock down the opponent in your mirror named Fear.   Without taking that one out, the rest will simply run by you.  Stand and believe on the words written and repeated more than any other throughout the best selling book ever written, "Fear Not."

BryanSoward.com