LA Rams: The future of Odell Beckham Jr is uncertain, to OBJ

Odell Beckham Jr.’s heroics

Since 2020, we’ve faced the ravages of a global epidemic of COVID-19. In response, we retreated to our quarantined lives, stopped interacting with each other directly, and adopted a virtual reality that kept us safe in our homes. Depending on your community and what the intensity of the coronavirus impact was on your state and local health care facilities, you may have spent more time watching the heroics of OBJ in the Rams offense at home.

When he signed with the team, some asked why. But the reasons became quite clear as he showed up with a can-do attitude and quickly acclimated himself to the Rams offense. But he burst back into his glory-days form in the NFL Playoffs. If he had remained healthy, he was on track to becoming the MVP of Super Bowl LVI.

Many of us cite the performance of OBJ in SB LVI as the best example of his heroism. I respectfully disagree. In my opinion, his greatest display of heroism is right now. He is trying to come back to the NFL, but for the moment, all of the doors are temporarily shut. He needs a contract to play in the NFL. Apparently, he needs to be healthy, or at least further along in his rehab, before an NFL team offers him a contract.

Suddenly, I know the man, because I have walked in those shoes of an uncertain future. For anyone who is now or has been unemployed, you know and understand that rawness of biting uncertainty. You just need an opportunity, but none comes easily. With each day, worries about other matters begin to creep in. I don’t have the answers for OBJ. But I recognize where he stands in his life.

“Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life a champion.” – Muhammad Ali as per Kidadl.com’s motivational quotes. That is an excellent quote. But the mantra that helped me get back on my feet was far simpler whenever I faced adversity.

Don’t ask “Why me?”. Instead, ask yourself “For what purpose?”.

Odell Beckham Jr. is a player I would be happy to have on my team. No, not just because he is an electrifying receiver who can change the outcome of a football game in just one or two plays. That helps, yes.

But right now I am rooting for the man inside the helmet. Not the football player. Not the things that he can do for the team. I’m simply a fan of Odell Beckham Jr., the person. Right now, he is going through a difficult time, and I want him to find the light at the end of this tunnel.

He was an LA Rams player, and I hope he will be again very soon. He is an NFL wide receiver. But he’s shown a bit more heroism than expected, and now I find myself rooting for OBJ as well as the LA Rams.