Suggs turns off act, reflects on mentor’s influence

[ellisonz]

By Les Carpenter, Yahoo! Sports 4 hours, 57 minutes ago

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – So there Terrell Suggs sat, with his show turned off; stoic for once and not baying about the “Ball So Hard University” or the dreadful things he’d do to Tom Brady or whatever spills from his mouth when the camera light goes on. He sat on an empty Gatorade cooler in a hallway of the Baltimore Ravens’ headquarters and dropped his gaze to the carpeted floor.

“I do owe him,” he said.

This was about the man who may have saved him; the one who came into his life with no expectations, no motive, no personal gain, nothing more than a belief a teenage Terrell Suggs could be something big in life. What John Wrenn, who coached Suggs his last two years of high school, offered was a lifeline, a chance to grab the world. And maybe recognizing this as the best opportunity to come along, Suggs seized it. Then he rode to a life no poor kid from Chandler, Ariz., could have ever dreamed.

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are the leaders of Baltimore’s defense, but there is no doubt as to this team’s best defensive player. The Ravens, who play the New England Patriots in Sunday’s AFC title game, would not be a win away from the Super Bowl without the linebacker who overwhelmed the NFL this year with 14 sacks and seven forced fumbles. Most around the team expect he will be named the NFL’s defensive player of the year. Yet where would they be if not for John Wrenn?

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AlOZiTAlIsWflp1ZPnMqftJDubYF?slug=lc-carpenter_terrell_suggs_ravens_coach_wrenn_011912

Very interesting look at Terrell Suggs...

[JonLP24]

1. I think Hamilton High recruits

They receive transfers all the time w/ Suggs as one of them and they've been the most dominate high school football team in AZ in the past 15 years.

[bluedigger]

2. I watched Suggs and Skip Bayless go at it the other morning.

I came away from it thinking, "Suggs would have been a good Patriot."

He's kind of like Barkley, without the depth, and more edge. Just speaks his mind. I can respect that.

[OKNancy]

3. Thanks... that was a good read.

ETA: Skip Bayless makes my skin crawl.

[ellisonz]

4. You're welcome!

Some people on this board have a very low view of sports as contributing to society. But when I read articles like this, I can't help but think where Terrell Suggs would be without sports? I think most of the major sports leagues do a good job of encouraging athletes to give back to the community, and I have no doubt that Terrell Suggs will do good things to help children who just like him, struggled to succeed.

Aloha.

[OKNancy]

5. absolutely

I have a feeling of being a kindred spirit to coaches. My field before I retired was in the arts. I hope that I inspired or helped these kids too. The arts aren't as profitable, but even if they don't go into it professionally I always thought it was good to be well-rounded and encouraging.

[ellisonz]

6. I played music...

...I think my instructors had a very positive effect on my development. Thank you for teaching!