Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else

Chapter 34. Celebration

Later that night Martin accepted an invitation from some of the veterans to join them for a late dinner at a jazz club. Martin, of course, couldn't say no. Plus it was the last night of Training Camp, and it was reason enough to celebrate. He heard that it was a good sign that you would likely make the team when the veterans asked you to go out with them, although he had also heard stories from players that were invited out by veterans only to get cut the following day.

And while the players celebrated and Martin enjoyed a steady diet of steak, sparkling water, and jazz, he decided it was time to leave the party. He was tired after a long day and wanted to head back and get some sleep. He walked down the street in search of a taxi and eventually came to the stoops of a church, where he plopped down on the steps outside, closed his eyes, and said a prayer. He prayed for his mother. He thanked God for Coach Ken. And he prayed for good news tomorrow.

In the middle of his prayer a voice came from behind him and startled him. "Whatcha doing on my steps," the voice said as a homeless man approached.

"Praying," Martin said. "It's a church after all, right?"

"You got that right," the homeless man said. "You don't know God's all you need until God's all you got."

"You got that right," Martin said as he gave the man five dollars, walked down the steps to the street, and caught ...