Post by guy on Dec 24, 2004 10:50:07 GMT -5
Great athletes make legends, someone who did things that not many others did orcould do. A legend usually has created great memories for the many people who he or she touched in whether in person or through the media. We have all honored, looked up to and respected such people in our lives.
For me there have been a few but I want to talk about my good friend and mentor Dan "the man Mason.
Not everyone reading this will remember Dan he was a 6 time national armwrestling champion from 1976 to 1983. He didnt armwrestle long but had a huge impact on me and others in our area and the USA.
He wins over many which include Dan Stone, Roy Ridgely, Al Turner and MO Baker. At 22 years old he was given no chance to beat MO. But Danny had a heart bigger then the armwrestling table they pulled on.
He didnt listen to everyone who had fear in their eyes for him and beat MO. All this with the hand of a middle weight at best!!
I met him a year after the matches with MO and I owe my interest and success in armwrestling to him, but more important I got a friendship with him that has been both a great learning experience and thrill for me. Here is a guy that also held a state shot put record for 30 years too. He just had the will to win and was extra ordinary in that department.
Dan has been fighting Cancer for 18 years now and we take it for granted when he gets sick because he has beaten it everytime. 17 years ago he went into septic shock and only 2 % survive. Dont tell Danny about Odds. Since beating that he has had kung cancer a bone marrow transfer, a testicle removed, a Kidney removed.
Im extremely sad to say that Dan has brain cancer and its in his Lungs and soine and he cant breathe do to one lung colapsed. He wont win this battle but I wanted to share this story with you even if you couldnt get the full picture of his will to win and survive.
He is a great inspiration to many he a has touched including his son Dean who now plays for the University of North Carolina football team. Dean is another who has brought the absolute best out of himself with similar determination beyond the ordinary.
Dean said he worked so hard for his Dad ( not surprising since character and heart are contagious)
and he said what's the use now. He wont even see me play against Notredame next year. After pondering through his heavy heart for a while he said "Honor".
I will play and graduate in my Dad's Honor.
Great young man Dean is.
Next week oxygen tank and all we are going to the Bowl game NC versus BC and he will see his son run out on the field. This will be just another learning experience , thrill but also saddened moment in my life.
Life is short experience it. Im a better person for sure for being blessed to know Dan Mason and now all of you are too.
For me there have been a few but I want to talk about my good friend and mentor Dan "the man Mason.
Not everyone reading this will remember Dan he was a 6 time national armwrestling champion from 1976 to 1983. He didnt armwrestle long but had a huge impact on me and others in our area and the USA.
He wins over many which include Dan Stone, Roy Ridgely, Al Turner and MO Baker. At 22 years old he was given no chance to beat MO. But Danny had a heart bigger then the armwrestling table they pulled on.
He didnt listen to everyone who had fear in their eyes for him and beat MO. All this with the hand of a middle weight at best!!
I met him a year after the matches with MO and I owe my interest and success in armwrestling to him, but more important I got a friendship with him that has been both a great learning experience and thrill for me. Here is a guy that also held a state shot put record for 30 years too. He just had the will to win and was extra ordinary in that department.
Dan has been fighting Cancer for 18 years now and we take it for granted when he gets sick because he has beaten it everytime. 17 years ago he went into septic shock and only 2 % survive. Dont tell Danny about Odds. Since beating that he has had kung cancer a bone marrow transfer, a testicle removed, a Kidney removed.
Im extremely sad to say that Dan has brain cancer and its in his Lungs and soine and he cant breathe do to one lung colapsed. He wont win this battle but I wanted to share this story with you even if you couldnt get the full picture of his will to win and survive.
He is a great inspiration to many he a has touched including his son Dean who now plays for the University of North Carolina football team. Dean is another who has brought the absolute best out of himself with similar determination beyond the ordinary.
Dean said he worked so hard for his Dad ( not surprising since character and heart are contagious)
and he said what's the use now. He wont even see me play against Notredame next year. After pondering through his heavy heart for a while he said "Honor".
I will play and graduate in my Dad's Honor.
Great young man Dean is.
Next week oxygen tank and all we are going to the Bowl game NC versus BC and he will see his son run out on the field. This will be just another learning experience , thrill but also saddened moment in my life.
Life is short experience it. Im a better person for sure for being blessed to know Dan Mason and now all of you are too.
