Recommended Reads: Just in time for football season, ‘Coming Back Stronger’ a tale of determination

Coming Back Stronger, by Drew Brees

In the final game of 2005 San Diego Charger Quarterback, Drew Brees seriously injured his throwing shoulder.  Very likely it would be a career-ending injury. His personal journey back, and beyond, to the Super Bowl victory in 2010 includes a team, and a city. His book is not just his story, and it’s not just a football story. Although, football fans eagerly anticipating the start of the preseason will appreciate the football details.

You have to take action, that’s the only way you’ll see change. That is a primary message in this book. To accomplish something you’ve never accomplished before, you have to do something you’ve never done before. And never look too far ahead or you will end up tripping over something right in front of you. Keep your focus one game at a time.

After his injury, the Chargers were unenthusiastic about keeping Brees on their team, wanting to move forward with Phil Rivers. Brees declared himself a free agent and looked to new horizons. That led him to a whole new life with New Orleans — a team with no Super Bowl titles, and a dismal history of nine playoff appearances in 45 years  It was a city that had been 80 percent underwater from the devastation of hurricane Katrina in 2005  Is that the brink of oblivion, or the verge of an unimaginable opportunity? Well, Drew Brees was thinking positive going into it.

He learned how to maintain personal drive as a child growing up in Texas. In his book, Brees shares stories of his family life, including a delightful one with his also-athletic mother when he was playing high school football. He told her “I want to quit.”  He had come home after a two-a-day practice sophomore year. He was the back-up on JV. The quarterback in front of him was younger brother to the varsity quarterback, and heir apparent to be the starter. Teenage Drew felt, what’s the point of going on? His mom said, you just never know when your opportunity will come, stick to it. Opportunity did come.

There are a lot of people that feel like they’re working hard; they’re doing the right things. And yet they don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. They don’t feel like they’re ever going to get the opportunity. But if you do things the right way long enough, good things will happen.

Reading about the painful and tedious physical therapy and recovery from his shoulder injury is an amazing story of sticking to it despite not knowing at all what the light at the end of the tunnel will be. Brees emphasizes keeping yourself moving forward through adversity, but advises don’t be afraid of taking a few steps back. A step back is not necessarily a setback. Sometimes a few steps back can give you momentum to jump over a chasm in your life. What’s important is that you finish strong.

While in New Orleans, Brees has not only led his own personal recovery, he’s led the Saints team by example, and he has contributed back heavily to the community. The mission of the Brees Dream Foundation is improving the quality of life for cancer patients, and providing care, education and opportunities for children and families in need. They have contributed more than $17 million to charitable causes and academic institutions in the New Orleans, San Diego and West Lafayette/Purdue communities.

Last season the Saints were eliminated in week 16 before the post season. Go Seahawks! But after reading this book we have to assume that Brees is filled with determination to come back stronger. Let the games begin!

Brees says, “I think anybody who’s achieved some level of success has had their fair share of adversity along the way. And in the end, it’s that adversity that has created the opportunity for them to be successful. It has molded them, strengthened them and really given them the opportunity to achieve something that maybe they thought was never possible before.”  In addition to his motivation and toughness, the importance of Brees’ faith in his life is evident through the book. Really everything in this book is about hopefully providing somebody with the knowledge that can help them with the struggles in their life.

Thereby hangs a tale . . . .

– By Wendy Kendall

Wendy Kendall is a writer, project manager and volunteer at the Edmonds Library. She’s enjoyed living in Edmonds for over 20 years. Follow her via her blog here or on Twitter @wendywrites1.