Two Champions
by Melva Cooper-Staff Writer
01/07/2004

November to February is an anticipative time for NASCAR fans. From the short tracks to the super speedways there is quietness on Sunday afternoons. The seats are empty. Owners of the high-rise condos surrounding the stands and racetracks are vacationing or on other projects. Everyone is eagerly awaiting the return of their beloved NASCAR, starting with the most favorite of all – the Daytona 500.

Football seems to permeate the sports world on the days between race seasons. Bowl games and playoffs inundate television screens with the vivid multicolor uniforms of the players from all across the nation.

Black and gold and green and gold are the favorite colors of two champions from Wisconsin. Namely Matt Kenseth our current Nascar Cup Champion, and Brett Favre the quarterback for the Superbowl Champions in 1997. For as long as football has been around, the Green Bay Packers have been known as winners. Their famous coach of yesteryear, Vince Lombardi, is still a household word today in the cheese state and much of the world. The trophy bearing Lombardi’s name and presented to the Super Bowl Champion is coveted by all football teams.

Matt Kenseth, who carries the black and gold DeWalt colors is, these days, as well known in the NASCAR world. His home state of Wisconsin proudly claims him as their own.

Those two guys were present Sunday for the wild card playoff game in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Earlier in the week, they had met and exchanged helmets. One was green and gold and the other black and gold. Both adorned the head of a winner in his chosen sport.

To NASCAR fans, football is just a fill-in from the season ending race in November until the thrill of Daytona begins a new year of racing in February.

It was nice to see the two winners from the same state share some amicable time together. Each is sought after by their respective fans and yet they have time to be friends with one another.

This week, as you go about attaining your goal in a chosen profession, or walk the halls of a high school or university, look around you and see if there is someone who needs a friend. You may be the owner of a business, president of your fraternity, or a computer programmer in this high tech world we live in. There will be, within your sight, a new friend waiting for you to reach out to him. Go ahead and show yourself friendly. Let him see Jesus in you. Allow the fruits of the spirit, manifested through you, minister to your new found friend.

Matt Kenseth and Brett Favre are both champions and friends. Do the same in your daily world. Be a champion in God’s sight by being a friend to someone who needs you

You can reach Melva Cooper at: mcooper@catchfence.com