Torrey Smith: Courage and Sports

I know what it is like to lose a loved one very suddenly.  My father passed unexpectedly from a heart attack two years ago.  One night, he was there.  The next morning, he was gone.  I really wasn't able to do anything constructive for a few days.  I was just numb.  This is why I was so amazingly impressed with what Ravens wide receivers Torrey Smith did last night on Sunday Night Football against the New England Patriots.

Smith's younger brother, Tevin Jones, died after a motorcycle accident at 2 am Sunday morning.  Smith, who was unsure up until game time if he would play, not only took the field but had one of the best games of his career- 6 receptions, 127 yards, 2 TDs.  It was one of the most awe-inspiring performances I have ever seen not just in football, but in sports in general.  Many people remember Brett Favre playing the Monday Night Football game the day after his father passed away following a heart attack.  Favre went out and passed for 399 yards and 4 touchdowns.  It may be the most heralded performance of Favre's career.  That is the type of game Torrey Smith had.

There really isn't any kind of overstatement or hyperbole that can be applied to what Torrey Smith had to do.  Sports writers/commentators/bloggers often overuse the word courage in regards to the games they cover.  In this case, it is applicable.  Smith's performance was courageous.  Obviously, he wasn't the only reason why the Ravens were able to win.  Ray Rice and Joe Flacco had huge games.  The Ravens defense came up with big stops when it mattered most.  Some Patriots fans may say the replacement officials had a huge hand in it as well, but the bad calls went both ways.  Yet in a game with so many huge storylines and stars coming in, Torrey Smith's courage in the face of amazing grief was the biggest story after.

Torrey will go through some hard times in the next few weeks.  Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy.  To be honest, I don't think it is something you ever get over.  Their absence is something that can never be filled.  It is just something you have to get used to, and Torrey will be able to do that.  Torrey will go on playing football, and being a huge weapon for the Ravens offense.  He not only has the support of his family, but of his team, Ravens fans, and sports fans everywhere.

I try not to mix religion with sports (or really with anything).  But I couldn't help thinking last night, as Justin Tucker's kick sailed just over (and inside) the imaginary upright, that Tevin had a little hand in keeping that kick good.  His older brother's inspiring and courageous performance certainly would have put a smile on his face.