Shelley: The story of Samson
I’m going to tell you all the story of a man named Samson.
Samson was known for his incredible strength and the bountiful locks of hair on his head.
While the parallels are striking, I’m actually not talking about the Samson of Biblical fame. No, I’m talking about Samson of Headland, Ala. fame.
During my days of high school football, I had a good buddy by the name of Justin. Justin and I, along with our running crew, Ryan, John, Brad, Timmy, Jojo, etc., were pretty much inseparable throughout high school.
Some of us played football, while some did not, but that’s off topic.
Our line coach at Headland, Coach Bradford, noticed Justin’s dominant power and his even more dominant hair sprawling from under his helmet and gave him the nickname Samson.
And like many nicknames given during high school, that one stuck. As a matter of fact, I would say the majority of people who know Samson don’t know that he is actually Justin.
Samson was, and still is, as good a friend as they come. He’s one of those guys that you want to have on your side in a fight, but can make you split your sides with laughter at the same time.
As it is with most high school buddies, there are a thousand and one stories out there about the mighty Samson. One of which involves a game day, my neighbors back home and a goat, but I won’t go in to that now.
After high school, I kept in close touch with Samson. He frequently visited my roommate, Ryan, and I while we were at Auburn. I was in his wedding, and he was in all the weddings I was in involving our other friends. We still talk when we can and visit when we can also.
I tell you this brief history about my buddy because of the Independence Day holiday this weekend.
You see, a couple of years ago, Samson enlisted in the army and is now serving our country overseas in Iraq.
It’s incredibly hard not to think of Samson when I see the red, white and blue waving right now.
Samson is doing something that I can admit I’m not man enough to do myself, and that is defend our country in a foreign land.
I’m sure most of you reading this know someone serving in the military. Whether they are serving overseas or not, it’s in the back of everyone’s mind with the 4th of July coming up.
My sister’s husband, Chaz, is serving in Afghanistan right now. No one is immune to the reality that some U.S. soldiers are fighting for us to enjoy a ball game and a hot dog.
I keep thinking that because of Samson, I can sit here and write about football in Randolph County.
This fall I can go watch a game on Friday night, free from the fear of some nut job in a foreign country threatening our way of life because of Samson.
The Samson in the Bible was known for being strong because of his hair.
The Samson I know has long since cut his abundant locks in exchange for the standard army buzz cut.
But if anything, he’s only grown stronger.
If he gets a chance to read this, I just want him to know how proud I am to be his friend.
Just know that I’m thinking about you over there and praying for your safe return, buddy.
Happy 4th of July, Samson.
