Be Strong

I really am writing a follow-up post to the whole surgery-baby-drama post, but something happened yesterday that is just way, way cooler:

I met Mack Strong.

For about 30 seconds. But still. We had a conversation. And I didn’t suck.

Every month, the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce meets at Tapatio’s for the usual ‘who are you, what do you do, speaker presentation’ and it is the only time I ever get up from my desk for an actual lunch with actual people. I don’t always get to go – Chamber meetings are always the same day as Parks Commission meetings (which I also attend), as well as WRPA meetings (which I’d really LIKE to attend) and often I just have too many conflicts.

But when I do go, the presentations are always good. (As is the food.) As you would imagine, most of the presenters are local business owners or members of the community. Sometimes a City or State representative. I spoke here last month on the status of our events, the line-up, the opportunities, and the need for more sponsors. (It went pretty well, considering half the restaurant stays open and we’re forced to compete with the assery that is the lunchtime rush.)

Here Mack is introduces himself for non-sports followers like me. (Due to a event poster printing fiasco, I was late. Thus the suckery of my angle.) Did you know his neck is FUSED? You probably do. I get the impression I am the only person in Seattle who knows nothing about this man. Except that he lives in Newcastle. And that my office-mate worships him.

Now I also know he was undrafted (and what that means), played for the Seahawks for 15 years, LOVES Seattle and qualifies for disability. I’m not sure that he takes it, though. It was kind-of a joke. I guess you had to be there.

Here he’s talking about Team-Works Academy, a non-profit program that he and his wife, Zoe established to help underserved Native American tribes in Idaho and Washington. He told several touching stories of the kids they’ve helped and about his philosophy – one that’s based on mentorship and hard work in an age of instant gratification – that I can personally, whole-heartedly agree with.

During the Q&A, someone asked him the strangest thing he’d ever signed. He was VERY diplomatic about the answer. Mack cited all sorts of tame examples including a dog. But there was a glimmer in his eye. One that made my Banned Items spider-sense tingle. And I am positive there were far more embarrassing things.

After his speech, I felt a little awkward – but introduced myself anyway. He was incredibly nice. I asked him about volunteer opportunities with Team-Works and the possibility of joining our events for local exposure. Nothing was agreed, but Mack seemed interested. As a vehicle for connecting and engaging people, I think it’d be AWESOME to be able to help Team-Works through our events.

We’ll see.