To an Athlete Dying Young A.E. Housman (Pronounced “hooseman”) (1859-1936)

The time you won your town the race We chaired you through the market-place; Man and boy stood cheering by, And home we brought you shoulder-high. To-day, the road all runners come, Shoulder-high we bring you home, And set you at your threshold down, Townsman of a stiller town. Smart lad, to slip betimes away From fields were glory does not stay And early though the laurel grows It withers quicker than the rose. Eyes the shady night has shut Cannot see the record cut, And silence sounds no worse than cheers After earth has stopped the ears: Now you will not swell the rout Of lads that wore their honours out, Runners whom renown outran And the name died before the man. So set, before its echoes fade, The fleet foot on the sill of shade, And hold to the low lintel up The still-defended challenge-cup. And round that early-laurelled head Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, And find unwithered on its curls The garland briefer than a girl's.

What you talkin’ bout Housman?? The time you won your town the race We chaired you through the market-place; Man and boy stood cheering by, And home we brought you shoulder-high. To-day, the road all runners come, Shoulder-high we bring you home, And set you at your threshold down, Townsman of a stiller town. Smart lad, to slip betimes away From fields were glory does not stay And early though the laurel grows It withers quicker than the rose. Eyes the shady night has shut Cannot see the record cut, And silence sounds no worse than cheers After earth has stopped the ears: Now you will not swell the rout Of lads that wore their honours out, Runners whom renown outran And the name died before the man. So set, before its echoes fade, The fleet foot on the sill of shade, And hold to the low lintel up The still-defended challenge-cup. And round that early-laurelled head Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead, And find unwithered on its curls The garland briefer than a girl's. The athlete that’s being discussed was a hometown hero because he won the competition (be it a race, game, match). The town was so proud that they carried him home on their shoulders, holding him high above the rest. He’s above the rest. He’s the best. He has made his mark in a this town as an incredible athlete He dies, but his death is being referred to as a good thing because even though his victory flourished so quickly and beautifully it’s glory withers and wilts quicker than a rose. Death is being referred to as blissful for this athlete. The record that was held so dear is eventually going to be beat or broken but he will never know because he died with the memory of being the greatest He will never have to feel the disappointment of his record being beaten. His name outlives him instead of he outliving his name ir his legend. He still owns the challenge or the cup. Even though his record may already be broken he is still the reigning champ The crown he wore for being the best is wilted and dead but to him it will forever be beautiful and invincible

So let’s put some faces on this poem: Jim Brown and Walter Payton Cleveland Browns RB from: (1957-1965) Walter Payton Chicago Bears RB from: (1975-1987)

Some of their stats… Jim Brown (1936 - ????) Cleveland Browns RB: 1957 – 1965 Pro Bowls: 9 Total rushing yards: 12,312** Total receiving yards: 2,499 Total all-purpose yards: 15,459 Inducted into hall of fame: 1971 ** THIS WAS THOUGHT TO BE AN INDISPUTABEL RECORD UNTIL… Walter “Sweetness” Payton (1954 - 1999) Chicago Bear’s Running Back: 1975 - 1987 Pro Bowls: 9 Total rushing yards: 16,726** Total receiving yards: 2,336 Total all-purpose yards: 21, 803 Inducted into hall of fame: 1993 **OCTOBER 7, 1984 HE SHATTERED BROWN’S RUSHING YARDS RECORD! BUT WE CAN’T FORGET…

Arizona Cardinals RB: 2003 - 2004 Emmitt… Emmitt Smith (1969 - ????) Dallas Cowboys RB: 1990 -2002 Arizona Cardinals RB: 2003 - 2004 Pro bowls: 8 Total rushing yards: 18,355** Total receiving yards: 3,224 Total All purpose yards: 21,564 Inducted into hall of fame: n/a **ON OCTOBER 27, 2002 (18 YEARS AND 20 DAYS LATER) EMMITT SURPASSED HIS CHILDHOOD HERO TO BECOME THE NFL’s ALL-TIME RUSH LEADER…

Here’s my point… Jim Brown, Walter Payton, and Emmitt Smith are three NFL legends with this in common: Running Backs Record setters Record breakers Heroes to many BUT… Here’s a difference that’s significant to A.E. Housman’s Poem: Jim Brown set the record, but was alive to see it broken by the late Walter Payton. Walter Payton died with his record under his belt. He was buried as a great man, but also as the ALL-TIME LEADING RUSHER because he was gone before he could see Emmitt Smith break it next.

Think about it… Who would you rather be?? Can you imagine how Brown felt to see his record shattered? Do you see Housman’s point??

  "I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field." - Walter Payton …and he is.