Great embracing great

I saw something tonight that takes the word beautiful to a whole different level.  At halftime of the Green Bay/Chicago football game, the home team Packers were retiring Brett Favre's number 4.  The stadium was full.  As Brett was introduced the whole stadium erupted into applause that lasted for longer than a full minute.  Brett spoke a few words, his jersey was retired, and I was expecting nothing else.

The weather was cold.  A TV viewer could see the people's breath hanging in the air.  All were bundled in coats.  Rain was falling; umbrellas were out; people's faces were glistening from wet drops that had reached their cheeks.  It was a nice, short, but meaningful ceremony.

Then the camera panned around the center of the stadium where all of the names and numbers were of other people who had had their jerseys retired.  The lens came to rest on the number 15, Bart Starr. Simultaneously, from the entry tunnel to the field rolled in a cart carrying two people.  Bart Starr and his wife.  He was not in the best of health, but he came rolling out to the roar of the crowd.

That was beautiful.  Then the next level happened.  Bart thought so much of Brett that the cart came to midfield where Brett was standing, and on this rainy, cold night in ill health, Bart got out of his cart into the rain to hug #4 to give him due tribute.  The camera froze on the scene as did everyone else's eyes.  Two of the greatest quarterbacks in the NFL's storied history, from different eras embracing on the field in the midst of rain and blowing cold air.  It struck me that Brett should be honoring the great Bart Starr, but here was a legend in bad health and in bad weather showing honor to the youngster.

Touching.  Honor to whom honor is due.  I want to be so gracious.  Bart Starr was an unexpected model of the spirit of Thanksgiving.  I thank him for that.