As the 2015 came to an end, several question marks loomed for the Kansas City Chiefs offseason including, “Is Jamaal Charles going to be able to come back from a second ACL injury?” While fans have had the good fortune of referencing Charles comeback season from his last ACL in 2012, anytime a running back suffers an injury like that, you have to wonder if they’re done, or at the least going to be a percentage of what they had been upon their return.
Those who were predicting a major comeback in 2016 for Jamaal Charles had a big shot in the arm when he published his Fourth Quarter dialog outlining his offseason workouts as well as an account of the positive changes in his life. You can find his Fourth Quarter blog here.
“Football… is football.” You can quote me on that one. However, “life” is… a process of maturing. It’s not always the case when “Football and Life” intersect. Jamaal Charles has shown us… they do intersect and I’m thrilled to announce we’ll be seeing, Charles in charge of his life like never before. From his blog,
“I want to be able to play the game of football because God gave me this talent. But I’ve found it’s not all about awards and stuff like that. I can’t play football forever. When I leave this place, I want to be known for what type of person I was, to tell you the truth.”
While some may interpret that to mean the Jamaal Charles is looking beyond the game and isn’t into football as much anymore… they might be right but… they would also be wrong.
In my experience, when people have their lives in perspective… their lives work out better. Have you ever heard of, “I see through a glass darkly?” As Scott Peck said in his book, “The Road Less Traveled,”
“Life is difficult. This is a great truth. One of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we see this truth, we transcend it. Once we know that life is difficult — once we truly understand and accept it — then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters.”
It must be extremely difficult to accept that your hallowed and celebrated career in football is nearly over. Being inured a second time in the same way and coming to the realization it “may” all be coming to an end must be a shock to the psyche… and likely to the very core of “who you are” especially if you’re a star American football player.
Consider…
… to experience the overcoming that takes place in finding you have a learning disability at a young age, facing it and moving beyond it… rushing for over 4,000 yards and scoring 50 TD’s in your Junior and Senior years of high school combined… being named first team 5A All-State in Texas… playing tailback for the University of Texas… setting a new yards per carry average during your 8 year NFL career. You would probably think of yourself as a special, gifted, powerful and celebrated among other outstanding adjectives.
Having that all sink in for Jamaal Charles… then letting it all go… would be incredibly difficult… and courageous… as well as mature.
Comparing this year’s rehab to 2012 Charles says, “I got cleared around the same time of year the last time I tore my ACL—there may be a two-week difference in there, but I know I’m not that far off from the first time. This process has been way different because I’ve got a new attitude.” I have also found… when someone has their life-priorities in order… you usually get the best from them that can possibly be given. So, I am predicting that Jamaal Charles will have an excellent season in 2016. He may be slow to start out with but the Chiefs now have other horses in the barn to help pull the load.
Here’s Charles explaining where he’s at with his rehab,
“A lot of the most recent rehab stuff has been just opening it up and trying to run, trying to keep up my speed…. One thing that’s important to me is to maintain my speed, because that’s been part of my career and part of my legacy. I’m happy with where it is right now. I’m beating guys that haven’t been working back from a torn ACL.”
Another positive from the Fourth Quarter blog J.C. has provided this week is that he has a “vision” for what he wants to accomplish. Being able to visualize your success before you go to perform has been a hallmark of top athletes for time eternal. From his blog about rehabbing in Florida the past few weeks,
“We’re right on the beach here, so I get to look out at the ocean every day, and keep looking forward, keep thinking and dreaming about things. Some days I just meditate on that, and think about how my body will continue to heal. I have faith and I’m able to keep my faith. God’s going to make a way for me and he’s going to let me show his glory. I’m just waiting for that time to come.”
All signs are pointing up for Jamaal Charles to have a great year. Now, he has the maturity to handle it… if that doesn’t happen. Fans should realize he named his blog “Fourth Quarter” for a reason. I for one, am very happy for him… and glad he’s on the Kansas City Chiefs… and I’m praying that he has many more years yet to serve as a player.
What do you say Chiefs fans? Proud to have Jamaal Charles on the Kansas City Chiefs? Do you think he’ll have a great year… or be just so-so?