|BlackJesus| Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 I know people have made cracks about McCarron's tattoos, and that he has the perception of being "cocky" etc ... but I think this touching story might provide another side of his personality ... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxSvrcUx5xg[/media] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|BlackJesus| Posted May 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 The quarterback and his girl By Mark Schlabach ESPN.com January 4, 2013 MIAMI -- Around 7:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 3, 2012, DeAndra Chapman wrote the following message on a CaringBridge page, a website that was providing family and friends with updates on the condition of her ailing 3-year-old daughter: It is with an overwhelmingly heavy heart that I type this status. Today, after a seizure, Starla left us. And after two minutes of chest compressions she was revived. We later found that another ECHO showed even more decreased heart function than before. She is now on life support and we need a miracle!!!!!! I'm so hurt, and please don't ask any questions as I will not share any more information. I love my beautiful daughter with EVERY fiber of my being, GOD knows this, EVERYONE knows this. Please pray!!!! Pray for a MIRACLE!!!! Starla Chapman was clinging to life as she battled acute myeloid leukemia, a rare form of cancer that starts in bone marrow and blood and progresses rapidly. Chemotherapy to fight the disease damaged Starla's heart so severely that it was functioning at only 6 percent capacity. After she flatlined on Jan. 3, 2012, and then was revived by the chest compressions, doctors at the University of South Alabama Children's and Women's Hospital in Mobile, Ala., put her in a medically induced coma to try to keep her alive. "That night, they definitely told us to prepare for the worst," DeAndra said. "Her father was with her in the pediatric unit when she flatlined. He was holding Starla as she was getting ready to take her meds. He said she just locked up and her tongue fell out of her mouth. There was no heartbeat or blood pressure. I saw my husband shaking and crying. I knew something bad was happening." Doctors gave DeAndra and Korey Chapman the worst possible prognosis: Without chemotherapy, Starla would die from the cancer that was ravaging her little body. But the chemotherapy would probably kill her, because her heart was so badly damaged. "The doctors told us numerous times to call our families, pastors and friends to come see her because today was going to be the day," DeAndra said. "They told us if they wanted to see her, they needed to come to the hospital because she probably wasn't going to make it." Doctors told Starla's parents she needed a heart transplant, but couldn't get one because of the cancer. Doctors wanted to life flight her to a hospital in Atlanta or Birmingham, Ala., but they feared she wouldn't survive being transported. "I told them, 'What you're saying is we're going to have to stay here and we're going to lose her here,'" DeAndra said. "The doctors told me we'd already lost her once." Nearly 150 miles away, Starla's newest friend was preparing to play the biggest football game of his life. Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron, a native of Mobile, met the little girl more than a week earlier, when he and his family delivered presents to the hospital's pediatric patients on Christmas Eve 2011. McCarron was a patient at the hospital after he was nearly killed in a jet ski accident as a young boy. When McCarron handed Starla a present that night, she was wearing an Alabama cheerleading uniform. She handed him back a present of her own: a bright yellow bracelet that was inscribed with the words, "Just trust." On the night Starla was diagnosed with leukemia in September 2011, and the day before she would begin grueling chemotherapy treatments, the little girl told her noticeably concerned parents, "Just trust." McCarron promised Starla he would wear the bracelet when the Crimson Tide played LSU in the 2012 BCS National Championship in New Orleans. When McCarron learned the news about Starla's grave condition, he instructed his mother, Dee Dee Bonner, to visit her at the hospital. She prayed with the girl's family before leaving for New Orleans. "It's hard for me to see kids in that situation," Bonner said. "It reminds us of where we were [when AJ was injured]. People get so wrapped up in football. This national championship game is life and death for some people. It puts it in perspective to see people fighting for their kids' lives." On Jan. 9, 2012, McCarron led the Crimson Tide to a 21-0 victory over No. 1 LSU in New Orleans, winning the school's second BCS national title in three years. He was named the game's offensive MVP after completing 23 of 34 passes for 234 yards. McCarron will try to win a second national championship when No. 2 Alabama plays No. 1 Notre Dame in Monday night's Discover BCS National Championship at Sun Life Stadium. A year ago, TV cameras captured the bright yellow bracelet on McCarron's right wrist whenever he dropped back to pass against LSU. "I think it's the most amazing thing," DeAndra said. "It's easy for people to make vows and then break them. But he sat in that hospital room and said he was going to wear the bracelet in the game. You could see the bracelet clear as day on TV. The young man kept his promise to our daughter." A few days after the Crimson Tide beat LSU, McCarron returned to Mobile to visit Starla in the hospital. Her condition was slowly improving -- her heart capacity had returned to about 21 percent when she left intensive care -- but she was still in a coma. When DeAndra told Starla that McCarron was in her room to see her, the little girl started kicking her legs, her mother says. "They just have a special connection that can't be explained," Bonner said. "If you meet her, you can't help but fall in love with her. There's just something that draws you to her." Miraculously, doctors told Starla's parents she was in full remission on April 11, 2012. Starla's heart eventually returned to normal, too, after she no longer needed the toxins to kill cancer cells. Another checkup on Thursday revealed that she's still cancer-free. On Dec. 13, Starla became a big sister when her brother, KJ, was born. "I make no apologies for saying it -- our child is a miracle," DeAndra said. "When somebody's heart is that damaged, they're not usually able to be revived. If they are, they have to have a heart transplant. She's a miracle." In March, Starla's parents asked McCarron if he would become Starla's godfather. He and teammate Kenny Bell helped raise money for her health care by signing autographs for several hours at a Mobile shopping mall last spring. McCarron even surprised Starla by attending her "Celebration of Life" party after she was released from the hospital. On Sept. 8, the Chapmans were in attendance when McCarron led the Crimson Tide to a 35-0 victory over Western Kentucky at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Starla wore his No. 10 jersey with "AJ's Girl" on the back. "We saw the compassion he had for our daughter," DeAndra said. "He went out of his way to have fundraisers and solicit prayers for us. It was how you would expect a godfather to be." McCarron is still wearing Starla's bracelet today. When McCarron underwent shoulder surgery after the 2011 season, he instructed doctors not to cut the bracelet from his wrist. McCarron will be wearing the bracelet again on Monday night. And a little girl will be watching him from her home in Mobile. "I always loved giving back," McCarron said. "I think my mom has done a tremendous job of raising me in that aspect of life. She's always taught me to kind of give back to people a little less fortunate. I've been blessed enough to be in a position to kind of touch people's lives, inspire them in certain ways, and [Starla] was a blessing to me. "I never take it off. I'm always thinking about her. She's a special girl." http://espn.go.com/espn/print?id=8812751&type=story Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColorChanginClique Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 This is a very good read and video. I know it's draft time and we're all excited but stories like this are always great reminders to put things in perspective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scharm Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Boomer didn't have the tats but he's said more than once he thought he dropped in the draft because of his attitude. Alot of the offesnive guys loved Boomer but there are stories that defense guys didn't really care for him as much in the early days. Same with the dick bag up in Pittsburgh wearing 7. There was always rumblings that his teamates didn't like him. I'm sure there are plenty of tatted up dickbacks that have flopped as well in the NFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Personally I want my QB to have swagger, maybe some of it can rub off on Andy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBandJoeyV Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Personally I want my QB to have swagger, maybe some of it can rub off on Andy. That was actually my biggest issue with Carson. Andy def has more of it than Carson, but not as much as other guys. I'm starting to think that Marvin is a big reason for that though. Maybe hue can offset Marvin's even keeled demeanor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alleycat Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Personally I want my QB to have swagger, maybe some of it can rub off on Andy. And to be honest, I think THAT's the reason we took him, and the coaches have said as much: "he'll be good for our room." Translation: Andy could be a more vocal leader, push himself better, etc., etc., Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 That was actually my biggest issue with Carson. Andy def has more of it than Carson, but not as much as other guys. I'm starting to think that Marvin is a big reason for that though. Maybe hue can offset Marvin's even keeled demeanor. When has Andy ever come out and said anything like "I hate the Steelers"? I could not disagree more with you on this. Andy is too much Opie Taylor in my view. I want him to go for a guys throat. And to be honest, I think THAT's the reason we took him, and the coaches have said as much: "he'll be good for our room." Translation: Andy could be a more vocal leader, push himself better, etc., etc., And if that's all AJ does to make Andy improve in being a vocal leader, then I love this pick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBandJoeyV Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 When has Andy ever come out and said anything like "I hate the Steelers"? I could not disagree more with you on this. Andy is too much Opie Taylor in my view. I want him to go for a guys throat. And if that's all AJ does to make Andy improve in being a vocal leader, then I love this pick. I was referring more to on the field emotion, not necessarily things he says in interviews. Hell when Carson used to throw a td he would just walk off the field. Don't remember ever even giving a fist pump. Dalton definitely shows a little more emotion on the field than Palmer did, not even close. Still agree with you that his overall leadership and vocal ness could and should be more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 "We're looking for our quarterback and our middle linebacker to take hold of our football team, and I think that's important for us. I think both guys are such good people, that you've got to be a little bit of a (jerk). You do.” -- Marvin Lewis This is where as much as people like to talk about Dalton's improvements from year to year, that I'm not sure I've see this improve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scharm Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Dalton is definately more emotional on the field vs. Palmer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arkansas Bengal Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 I'm tired of watching Opie throw an INT and then go to the sideline and put on his baseball hat with a stupid look on his face. I know he cares, but how the hell does that inspire the rest of the team? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Dalton should shave his head and grow a biker beard. Then make a play for Katherine Webb. Plant his flag in Alabama if you know what I mean. Nip this shit in the bud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scharm Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Andy wearing a rubber wedding ring is just as much tool bag as the wondeful body art displayed by AJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueridge Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 And to be honest, I think THAT's the reason we took him, and the coaches have said as much: "he'll be good for our room." Translation: Andy could be a more vocal leader, push himself better, etc., etc., I'm tired of watching Opie throw an INT and then go to the sideline and put on his baseball hat with a stupid look on his face. I know he cares, but how the hell does that inspire the rest of the team? These two quoted posts are idiotic responses to this thread and that touching video about McCarron and that little girl. The point is that McCarron is actually a pretty good guy, and not the douche' his detractors are trying to portray him as. But some actual douches used the opportunity to attack Andy Dalton. And I mean douche'. These fools take every opportunity to use Dalton as a punching bag. They never tire of this. Any attenuation in their single-celled brain is enough to warrant a new attack. You do not even have to really like Dalton to find this stuff tiresome. Its never clever and nothing useful in the way of information is ever imparted. Go-Bengals is a good place to visit to share opinions. Its not as good a place when one-note half-wits say the same thing over and over and over. Keep that up and this will become as bad as the message board at bengals.com. IMHO, of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|BlackJesus| Posted May 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 This is a very good read and video. I know it's draft time and we're all excited but stories like this are always great reminders to put things in perspective. I agree. My intention wasn't to foment an attack on Dalton, but to show another side of AJ that doesn't jive with the popular narrative. I also don't think you have to root for one or the other, I want both AJ and Andy to play the best football of their lives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrandom42 Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 I was referring more to on the field emotion, not necessarily things he says in interviews. Hell when Carson used to throw a td he would just walk off the field. Don't remember ever even giving a fist pump. Dalton definitely shows a little more emotion on the field than Palmer did, not even close. Still agree with you that his overall leadership and vocal ness could and should be more. Why does a leader have to be vocal? How does that show leadership? When does being a 'vocal leader' cross over into being a "loud mouthed asshole? Personally I never responded to so-called "vocal leaders", I'd let the noise float in one ear and out the other, as I did the best job that I knew how to do. If someone yelling and screaming at me is supposed to motivate me to do my best, something is seriously wrong with me and the coaching staff. At some point, I'm going to lose patience and smash that "vocal leader" in the mouth and yell back at him, "SHUT UP AND PLAY FOOTBALL" Done it before. Not all of us respond positively to vocal leadership! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 AJ and Kathrine Web asked her to be their flower girl for their wedding http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/16/aj-mccarron-katherine-webb-flower-girl_n_5339918.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Boomer didn't have the tats but he's said more than once he thought he dropped in the draft because of his attitude. Boomer fell in the draft because his porn star moustache made teams question his maturity. And I'm guessing it didn't help matters at all knowing how Boomers circle of friends and family allowed him to leave the house looking like that without saying anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 AJ and Kathrine Web asked her to be their flower girl for their wedding http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/16/aj-mccarron-katherine-webb-flower-girl_n_5339918.html Well, I hope you're happy now. Reading this thread has given me diabetes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted May 19, 2014 Report Share Posted May 19, 2014 Well, I hope you're happy now. Reading this thread has given me diabetes. :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|Numbers| Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 I believe Ernie Davis died of the same leukemia. Thanks for sharing the story BJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happyrid Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Andy wearing a rubber wedding ring is just as much tool bag as the wondeful body art displayed by AJ. Hate to, but sort of agree with this. You're playing football. Just take your wedding ring off for a few hours and don't be so pussy whipped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldcat Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Hate to, but sort of agree with this. You're playing football. Just take your wedding ring off for a few hours and don't be so pussy whipped. Meh. Wearing an O Ring on a finger to please the wife isn't that big a deal. Beats moving to Oakland, anyhow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted May 20, 2014 Report Share Posted May 20, 2014 Hate to, but sort of agree with this. You're playing football. Just take your wedding ring off for a few hours and don't be so pussy whipped. it helps his tiny hands grip the ball. :ninja: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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