Rick Smith Giveth and He Taketh Back

[CloakNNNdagger]

Sometimes the smallest stories will catch my greatest attention. This is an example of one of them.

Colts, Texans linked by GMs' bond
Former college teammates continue spreading lessons of perseverance
Originally Published: December 14, 2012
By Adam Schefter | ESPN.com

here, back in 1991, Purdue senior strong safety Rick Smith and freshman tight end Ryan Grigson -- now the general managers of the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts, respectively -- befriended each other, practiced against one another and began to build a bond that lasted beyond their college days.

During Grigson's sophomore year at Purdue, in a game against Minnesota, he absorbed a blow to his abdomen that brought on acute pancreatitis, which led to kidney failure and pneumonia. Doctors considered it a life-threatening injury that left Grigson in the hospital for five weeks, two of which were spent in intensive care.

Smith -- who had gone on to become a graduate assistant coach at Purdue -- would visit Grigson and deliver pep talks, trying to lift the spirits of a young college student who was beyond down. One day, Smith also gave Grigson the signed Bible that his mother once had given to him.

It was a gift to help Grigson endure and one that, through the years, Smith forgot. Grigson, though, never did.

As the two men worked their way up the ranks in the NFL, Grigson told Smith he had a gift that he wanted to give him at the scouting combine in Indianapolis in 2006. When the two men failed to connect there due to busy schedules, Grigson shipped a package to Smith that contained the Bible. Grigson was sending it back for Smith to give to his oldest son, Robert.

[thunderkyss]

Small world..... cool story.

[Quick II Draw]

Obviously this team has a ways to go. But, I have complete 100% faith in Rick Smith. The talent on this team is SO MUCH BETTER than it was just 5-6 years ago. I just hope the team gets it together soon because no team drafts this many good players every other year for too long.