Power

Just as I was ready to start my NBA entree, I read about this and it just slows down my sports world.


Tom Walter is the head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons baseball team. This past year he recruited Kevin Jordan to play for his team. Jordan, who was drafted in the 19th round by the Yankees before deciding to play for Wake Forest, was a ESPN top 50 player. The interaction between the two was no more than with any other player he had recruited. In fact his father said that the reason that his son chose Wake was a case of "divine intervention". More on this later.

Jordan thought that he was battling a bad case of the flu, losing 20 pounds in the process. When he was checked out by the doctor, it was discovered that he had a type of autoimmune swelling disorder caused by abnormal antibodies. When those abnormalities show up in the kidneys, they can cause blood and protein to leak into the urine and could result in kidney failure. This led to eventual daily dialysis treatments. He would eventually need a transplant.

None of his family members was a match for the transplant. Just when this story was headed for a sad ending, that "intervention" thing happened. Up steps to the plate Coach Walter, who was a PERFECT match for Jordan. Without a doubt in his mind, he gave the gift of life to a kid who he really didn't know well (aside from the usual recruitment process). The operation was a success and both guys are doing well. Both should be well enough to resume their careers in a couple of months. In a ESPN interview, Walter said that he and Jordan, "...will be brothers for the rest of our lives." Wow. What hit me even harder was that Coach Walter is white and Jordan is black. Let me say it again...wow.

Now, let me not front and act like I'm a regular church going sport guy. But I do claim to be a God fearing man who believes in both the power of prayer and God Himself. For me, it was not a coincidence that any of this happened. It just reminds me of the phrase that God does work in mysterious ways.