Captain Bar Mitzvah: He Plays Above the Rim~

Keith Bulluck is a pro football player.  His achievements would be amazing regardless of his background, but I was touched when I read this story and believe it has a strong message. [Bulluck is a linebacker for the Tennessee Titans who, until yesterday's home upset at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, had dreamed of playing in this year's Super Bowl. ]

I read in the NY TIMES that: [Bulluck]"was abandoned by his father at birth and by his mother at age 12, Bulluck spent the first part of his childhood bouncing to and from the homes of relatives. At times, he lived with his grandmother, his mother or an aunt. He slept on fold-out sofas or on floors.

“It wasn’t a situation conducive for a young child,” Bulluck said. “But that was just my life, so I didn’t know any better.”

Bulluck, who is 6 feet 3 inches and 235 pounds, plays pickup basketball games above the rim, says story in NY TIMES.

“There are a lot of gifted athletes on the team,” Thornton said. “But Keith is one of those guys who is just rare.”

"Ability is one thing; Availability is another" 

You will be interested to find out why he was nicknamed "CAPTAIN BAR MITZVAH" when he was 13 years old. [Hint: it had nothing to do with his knowledge of hebrew.] This Titan's story is worth reading.