Good-bye Class of '83
WEST SIDE'S BUMP FOR THE MONTH
September 2000
A couple of weeks ago down in Florida there was a great retirement
party for Dan Marino, all-time great quarterback of the Miami
Dolphins.
If you follow football you are probably aware that Dan was the last of
what is known as the 'class of '83' to leave the game. The greatest
draft ever for quarterbacks in the history of the NFL was 1983. John
Elway, Jim Kelly, Marino and three others were all taken in the first
round that year. Suddenly, football had more stars at quarterback than
ever before and fans would cheer for the next 10-16 years for these
electrifying athletes who had incredible arms.
At the party the fans got to see every member of that '83 class as
they gathered together as Marino said goodbye to the game. Something
else was being said as well. All the touchdowns, wins, MVP awards and
championships that this class accomplished was declared history. As
quickly as they became stars they now have become past stars.
We are reminded in life that many of the things we look to for
comfort, excitement and durability soon run down. Heroes & mentors of
our younger days grow old and cannot perform as they once did. Friends
& loved ones who supported us in difficult times get sick and fail at
different times. Even our own power, which once seemed invincible, is
greatly limited as time goes on. We need to put our hope and trust in
something that doesn't fade with time and someOne who will never falter
or fail.
The writer said, "Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today &
forever." (Hebrews 13:8) As we go from day to day and year to year
and all we see is change and decay, the One who does not change will
always be there to lean on and draw strength from.
I'm going to miss the class of '83. It was this class that got
me really into football. Like everything else less than Divine, their
time had to come and go. Fortunately, such is not nor ever will be
the case with Jesus. --Drew Chapados.
Back to bump page.
Back to home page.