Down time things to talk/think about.

[rbanerjee23]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Drew Brees Book Excerpt: 'Coming Back Stronger' - ABC News

As a kid, I got teased a lot because of a distinguishing birthmark on my right cheek. My mom and dad used to tell me that was where an angel had kissed me, but the kids at school didn't quite see it that way. They used to tease me and take jabs at me in the classroom and on the playground, saying things like "What happened to your face?" or "Wipe that stuff off your face." I couldn't help but get in a few scraps over it.

When I was little, the pediatrician gave my parents the option of having it removed because there was a chance it could become cancerous, but in spite of all the harassment I took at school, I decided to keep it. Instead of seeing it as a bad thing, I chose to see it as something that made me unique and special. It set me apart from everyone else. In a way, it became my trademark.

Looking back, I guess it might have been smarter to remove it, because why take a chance on it becoming cancerous? I even had it biopsied a few years ago, and I still see the dermatologist every once in a while to make sure it's okay, but now it's just a part of who I am. I wouldn't consider cutting off my arm. Neither would I cut off my birthmark. If I had ever been forced to remove it, I would have been devastated. My good friends who have known me a long time say they don't even see it anymore. If I had it removed, they would notice, but now they don't see it at all. They just see me.

(All that said though, I thought he did have it removed and now there was a scar there. Not sure)

First-stringer on the All-class team...couldn't have picked someone better to win his first Super Bowl.

[over the mountain]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Drew Brees Book Excerpt: 'Coming Back Stronger' - ABC News

As a kid, I got teased a lot because of a distinguishing birthmark on my right cheek. My mom and dad used to tell me that was where an angel had kissed me, but the kids at school didn't quite see it that way. They used to tease me and take jabs at me in the classroom and on the playground, saying things like "What happened to your face?" or "Wipe that stuff off your face." I couldn't help but get in a few scraps over it.

When I was little, the pediatrician gave my parents the option of having it removed because there was a chance it could become cancerous, but in spite of all the harassment I took at school, I decided to keep it. Instead of seeing it as a bad thing, I chose to see it as something that made me unique and special. It set me apart from everyone else. In a way, it became my trademark.

Looking back, I guess it might have been smarter to remove it, because why take a chance on it becoming cancerous? I even had it biopsied a few years ago, and I still see the dermatologist every once in a while to make sure it's okay, but now it's just a part of who I am. I wouldn't consider cutting off my arm. Neither would I cut off my birthmark. If I had ever been forced to remove it, I would have been devastated. My good friends who have known me a long time say they don't even see it anymore. If I had it removed, they would notice, but now they don't see it at all. They just see me.

(All that said though, I thought he did have it removed and now there was a scar there. Not sure)

not to sound conceded but i was a pretty damn good looking dude in high school and college, dating cheerleaders and what not. one day when i was 21 in college (dating a girl who could pass as christine aguilara's twin - my whole lax team was jealous) i started to get these red spots on my elbows. ended up being psoriasis, a rather unsightly but benevolent skin problem. while most people with it have it covering a large part of their body, mine is just my elbows and knees and occassionaly my face (which i do apply meds to and it is gone in a few days).

but when i got it i didnt look away from someone in a wheelchair or someone with one arm or someone with a messed up face like i did before. i felt i could embrace them, when i saw them i didnt see the wheelchair or messed up face, i saw a person in a whelchair. theres a slight but meaningful difference at least for me.

now, i dont even bother to take meds for it. like brees, its a part of who i am, its a constant but great reminder to me that noone is perfect, everyone has ailments or things wrong with them, to not dwell on my own bad skin b/c its just that bad skin, it doesnt mean a damn thing on who i am. if anything it made me a better person, a more understanding person.

while i am not religous i do consider it my cross, my reminder to stay humble and thankful and that everyone is a person first. when i give a homeless guy a dollar or cigarette and he wants to shake my hand, i shake it. my older brother hates that screaming germs and what not. idk maybe if i didnt have my own problems maybe i wouldnt shake a hand that has been extended to me.

sorry for the cheese, glad to see brees embraced it as a part of himself like i have with my own superficial reminder. i always thought he approached it the way he wrote about it. honestly, he is a role model for others, particularly lil kids with similar problems. if you dont have something on your face like him you probably didnt even think of how he represents himself with zero embarrasment but there are kids all over america with something on their face and im sure brees has inspired them to look up and not down.

cheese boy out.

ps - smootsmack - did the univ of maryland sign a contract with espn recently?

[SmootSmack]

Hot damn! Every now and then something happens here that pleasantly reminds me of some of the unique perks of my job...I'm walking to the cafeteria to grab some lunch...see some dudes playing catch with a football...walk over to see what's going...next thing I know I'm tossing the football around as well...with freakin' Drew Brees! What do me and Marques Colston have in common? We've both caught passes from Drew Brees. Damn, that was awesome.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Hot damn! Every now and then something happens here that pleasantly reminds me of some of the unique perks of my job...I'm walking to the cafeteria to grab some lunch...see some dudes playing catch with a football...walk over to see what's going...next thing I know I'm tossing the football around as well...with freakin' Drew Brees! What do me and Marques Colston have in common? We've both caught passes from Drew Brees. Damn, that was awesome.

Not a bad use of a Thursday morning.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Hot damn! Every now and then something happens here that pleasantly reminds me of some of the unique perks of my job...I'm walking to the cafeteria to grab some lunch...see some dudes playing catch with a football...walk over to see what's going...next thing I know I'm tossing the football around as well...with freakin' Drew Brees! What do me and Marques Colston have in common? We've both caught passes from Drew Brees. Damn, that was awesome.

So jealous right now

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

So jealous right now

It was fun...but I actually felt a lot of pressure. I was thinking "don't screw up in front of Drew Brees...don't screw up in front of Drew Brees" And he doesn't just play catch. It's almost like he tries to recreate a game situation, moves around a bit, checks off an imaginary receiver and then fires a bullet at you.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

It was fun...but I actually felt a lot of pressure. I was thinking "don't screw up in front of Drew Brees...don't screw up in front of Drew Brees" And he doesn't just play catch. It's almost like he tries to recreate a game situation, moves around a bit, checks off an imaginary receiver and then fires a bullet at you.

so awesome

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

It was fun...but I actually felt a lot of pressure. I was thinking "don't screw up in front of Drew Brees...don't screw up in front of Drew Brees" And he doesn't just play catch. It's almost like he tries to recreate a game situation, moves around a bit, checks off an imaginary receiver and then fires a bullet at you.

Good thing you're not Carlos Rogers.. Nothing worse than playing a game of 'drop' with Drew Brees... Seriously man, that's cool.. Membership has its privileges.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Hot damn! Every now and then something happens here that pleasantly reminds me of some of the unique perks of my job...I'm walking to the cafeteria to grab some lunch...see some dudes playing catch with a football...walk over to see what's going...next thing I know I'm tossing the football around as well...with freakin' Drew Brees! What do me and Marques Colston have in common? We've both caught passes from Drew Brees. Damn, that was awesome.

I hate you now more than ever.

j/k. I do, however, envy you down to the pit of my being right now.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Hot damn! Every now and then something happens here that pleasantly reminds me of some of the unique perks of my job...I'm walking to the cafeteria to grab some lunch...see some dudes playing catch with a football...walk over to see what's going...next thing I know I'm tossing the football around as well...with freakin' Drew Brees! What do me and Marques Colston have in common? We've both caught passes from Drew Brees. Damn, that was awesome.

So very cool. Good for you! I hear Lance Moore now fears for his job.

[warpaint]

I thought waking up to a hot breakfast was a good morning. Congrats

[SmootSmack]

Maryland alone, no. I think you're thinking of the ACC deal

[CultBrennan59]

good read from nfl.com
NFL.com news: Effective pass rush from OLBs pivotal to 3-4 defense's success

[NYCskinfan82]

Summer Scramble 2010: NFC East Players to Watch -- NFL FanHouse

Just another thing to talk about.

[CultBrennan59]

NFL.com Blogs » Blog Archive Ex-BYU RB Unga works out for 20 teams «

So does anyone know if we have interest in this guy?