Dorial Green-Beckham

I first heard the name Dorial Green-Beckham on January 7th 2012. My husband was eager to find the U.S. Army All-American Bowl on television and watch Dorial play. In 1988 my husband played on the baseball team that won the state tournament for Hillcrest High School, the same school Dorial currently attends. The U.S. Army All- American Bowl is an all-star game played by the nation's greatest high school football athletes. In 2012 Dorial was named the U.S. Army player of the year. Only the strongest athletes are chosen to play in the game and they must embody the strong characteristics of an Army soldier. These players must demonstrate strength through Duty, Respect, Loyalty, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. The bowl has been played for over a decade and over 100 NFL players can say they are alumni of this prestigious bowl game.

In his career at Hillcrest, Green-Beckham set a national record with 6,447 receiving yards. He also broke his own state season record with 2,233 yards on 119 catches with 24 touchdowns and set state records in single-game receiving yards (354) and career TD catches (72).¹

Dorial took the field and in the first few plays I watched, he made an amazing touchdown catch. His fluidity and grace reminded me of Michael Jordan's ability to make a basket without looking at the net. Although a defender was right next to him Dorial pushed him out of the way and caught a 79 yard touchdown pass with one hand.

Although several players at the game made their declarations to the universities they would attend in the fall Dorial decided to give his decision further thought. Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas were his top 5 choices. Finally on February 1, 2012 he made his declaration at a press conference held at Hillcrest High School.

Although most of Dorial's university choices were relatively close to home the distance of his future university was important to him. His younger brother Darnell, a sophomore, was diagnosed with leukemia last February. Growing up the boys bounced back and forth between Springfield and St. Louis, MO. Finding a place to call home in 2010, the Green brothers were adopted by John and Tracy. This past Monday Dorial thought he had made up his mind but was urged by his parents to sleep on it.

"We kept it tight," Green-Beckham said. "When it was time to make a decision, we made it as a family."²

Clearly it is important for him to be near his family; the University of Missouri is a mere 3 hour drive from home. However, I'm sure the reception he received at a recent visit to the Mizzou campus aided his decision. The crowd cheered as he walked through the arena and students held up signs showing their pleasure that DGB was on campus.

Football season is over and I've never been a follower of the University of Missouri's football program but that has all changed thanks to DGB. Athletes who play their sport as if it's a second nature they were born to take part in are a rare find. This season I'm looking forward to watching Dorial Green-Beckham play for the University of Missouri.