I'm a North Dakota kid. It's home for me, and one of the best partitions of land in the world. Those who come from the space between Minnesota and Montana are tough. We're strong. We're as flawed as people from each and every other part of the world but we're a certain kind of special. We have long memories for those who become exceptional and those who disparage us.
Last night one of our native sons became the second overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. Carson Wentz, the kid from Bismarck, ND. The kid who played at little NDSU. Was drafted second over all. The second of 256 players to be selected by the 32 NFL teams over the 3 days span of the draft.
He's made history. Whatever happens from here is important for him and for all of us Nodaks. He represents the state in a way that no one ever may again. But he's already made history.
Sure Josh Duhamel has had success as an actor in Hollywood, coming from Minot but he didn't lead the state's main university's football team to it's fourth and fifth national championships.
We know the people who come from our towns and make it big.
There were few, if any, native borns who didn't have their eyes fixed on a tv last night to watch the event happen.
It's a proud moment for his family, for the city of Bismarck and for each and very born North Dakotan. It may never happen again, nor can we expect it to but we celebrate the accomplishment and know that Philly may have just become the second most popular NFL football team in the state.
He's a Bison. He's an Eagle. But before that he was a North Dakotan and after his career is over he will still be a North Dakotan.
We're proud of you Carson. Now get out there and shut up all the detractors who don't give us the respect we deserve!
No comments:
Post a Comment