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Murphy Martin Commentary
April 26, 2007
"Legends Live"
Fund-raising for worthwhile causes is a way of life in America. That
in and of itself is not too surprising. But when the well-known
person for which an event was named passes on, often the support
begins to dwindle and the monies raised shrinks to the point that
another well-known name is sought as anew motivating focus for that
particular charitable event.
There are exceptions and we were reminded this week of how indelible
some names are. Case in point--Tom Landry, for 29-years the Head
Coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Coach Landry's deep Christian Faith was
known far and wide. His priorities in life were God, Family, Country
and then Football...in that order! He did not just "talk the talk",
he more importantly "walked the walked" until his death in 2000.
Coach Landry was instrumental in establishing the Greater Dallas
Fellowship of Christian Athletes more than 35-years ago. For years
this FCA Chapter has been the largest in America. The bulk of the
monies needed to staff the needs of 325 middle school, high school
and colleges; plus 219 Certified active FCA Huddles representing
7700 students; and expenses that cover more than ten-thousand miles
a month travel costs for all these students that led to more than
750-students, coaches and adult leaders representing 50-schools that
attended the FCA Weekend of Champions!
The Tom Landry FCA Golf Tournament this week had more than 250
players including numerous former Dallas Cowboy players such as Troy
Aikman, Mel Renfro, Chuck Howley and Billy Joe Dupree, Robert
Newhouse, John Niland, Phil Pozderak, Kurt Peterson, Doug Donley,
Glen Titenser, Preston Pearson, and other NFL stars such as Donny
Anderson and Jim Ray Smith.
They all played as did Rayfield Wright, recently inducted into the
NFL Hall of Fame, who was the Honorary Chairman of this year's
event.
Despite several other tournaments in the area for worthwhile causes
and a Pro-Am for the Byron Nelson Classic, The Landry Tournament
continued to be one of the top producing one-day charitable events
having netted as much as $800,000 and seldom falling below $500,000
for the Greater Dallas FCA. This year, seven-years after the
legendary Landry died, his devout faith helps take Jesus Christ to
students who might never be exposed to him in any other way.
Landry's deep faith was not lost on Rayfield Wright who shared his
devout beliefs in Jesus by relating how his father left home when he
was three years old. He was raised by his mother and grand-mother
and was taught to begin each day with prayer, which he continues
today. Wright stressed his work in scouting that led him to become
an Eagle Scout in Griffen, Georgia. And, despite not playing much
high school football, he was drafted by the Cowboys in the seventh
round out of Fort Valley State and played in five Super Bowls,
winning two. He is in the Ring of Honor and the Hall of Fame. Since
being named to the latter last August he has been added to the
Georgia and Texas Sports Halls of Fame and has streets and highways
named for him.
How long will the Legacy of Tom Landry provide such a worthy link to
young people?
As long as the positive results are evident and 250 players turn out
to play The Landry name will prevail. The man in the hat that paced
the sidelines for 270-NFL victories as a coach is probably smiling
more as he looks down on the work still being done in his name than
he did while on earth.
Coach Landry always did believe "actions" spoke louder than "words".
Now we have lost another whose name has meant so much to an event.
Byron Nelson had the same deep faith as Coach Landry. The golf
tournament bearing his name netted millions for worthwhile help for
young people. Hopefully his name power will be as enduring as that
of Tom Landry!
I doubt we could have two better names to prove that Legends Live!
That's my time, thank you for yours!
Murphy Martin
Your thoughts and comments forwarded to my website will be
appreciated.
e-mail
murphy@murphymartin.com
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