Get it together

This year I have watched more sports than in the last 19 years of my life combined. Hanging out with guys as much as I have, I learned to revolve my life around the sport of the season -- Monday Night Football, Baseball Tonight and the NBA playoffs have all taken up a considerable amount of my time.\nNo amount of time, however, can turn me into a cheering, screaming fanatic. I guess the real reason I can't enjoy professional sports is that I feel most athletes are overpaid. People explain to me all the time that athletes draw in enormous amounts of money, that sports help the economy, blah, blah, blah. No matter how many times I hear it, though, I still can't understand why someone tossing around a ball is paid more than someone who rescues people from burning buildings or teaches children how to read.\nBut this weekend, as I was watching the news, one story touched my heart. Pat Tillman, a former professional football player, was killed in action in Afghanistan. This man had given up dreams of fame and money to serve his country in the armed forces.\nAs I heard story after story about how humble Mr. Tillman was, my heart just broke more and more. I thought, this man is my new hero. He worked his way through college, showing talent both in academics and athletics. Making it to the pros was a great accomplishment, and he worked hard to show his dedication. Tillman's former teammate, David Barrett, summed up my feelings in an article on www.ESPN.com. "What other person do you know who would give up a life in the NFL to defend what he believes in with his own life?" he said. "That is a humble guy."\nA moment of silence was held in Tillman's honor at the beginning of the NFL Draft Saturday. Everyone seemed saddened that such a tragic event had come to such a great person. Then the draft started.\nIt was a zoo. Rumors were flying that Eli Manning wouldn't continue to play football if the San Diego Chargers drafted him. It was whispered they were going to draft him anyway. It reminded me of the gossip that surrounds who's taking who to a high school prom.\nAs I watched the circus continue, I saw Manning, a recent college graduate with huge opportunities ahead of him, whine about not wanting to play for the Chargers. This kid, who is about to make a dream a reality, was crying like a baby. Somehow, becoming a multi-millionaire before 30, not to mention a sports icon watched by millions, just wasn't good enough for him. \nThe more I watched, the more enraged I became. Has everyone lost sight of priorities? Does no one realize what is really important in life?\nIf you ask me, Manning and all the other players drafted Saturday should be grateful for what they have. So what if the team that drafts you isn't your top choice? You still have your life. The sacrifice you make by playing for a team you don't particularly like pales in comparison to sacrificing your life for your country.\nMaybe I'm getting a little too sentimental. But as the year winds down, I keep thinking about how lucky I am. I whine and complain about classes and papers, but the truth is I'm privileged just to be here. I'm surrounded by friends, I'm making wonderful memories and I'm safer because of people like Pat Tillman who are selfless enough to put everything on the line for a cause they believe in. So the next time you want to complain, think about what you have. I for one would rather have problems to complain about than no life at all.