Charley Sanders: Just Passing Through the NFL
Hall of Fame tight end Charlie Sanders passed away on Thursday, July 2nd after being diagnosed with cancer eight months ago. He was 68 years young.
Charlie spent all 10 of his NFL seasons with the Lions. There was no such thing as free agency yet, so you basically had to play out your entire career with one team. He was selected to seven Pro Bowls, three All-Pro teams and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
After retiring, Sanders remained in the Lions organization, working as a color analyst in radio, a wide receivers coach and an assistant director of player personnel.
During Charlie’s Hall of Fame Induction speech he read the following a poem entitled Just Passing Through:
"Here today, gone tomorrow. If you don't accept it, it's a life of sorrow. Trying to use our God given talent, being brave like a knight, bold and gallant. Those who can make it feel lucky indeed. It's God's own way of letting you succeed. Our efforts we extend in hopes to win. Some play their hearts, others just pretend. So give your all and nothing less. Today we win, tomorrow we rest. You're not just my teammate, but my very best friend. Let's play together until the end. Today we hang together, just you and me. For tomorrow is a day we may never see."
In the closing words of his Hall of Fame induction speech he said, “You see, my brothers and I lost my mother when I was only two. Of all the things I've done in football, and there have been a lot, there's one thing that I really, really regretted. Many times I've seen athletes, college and professional, often look into a television and say, Hi, mom. I always thought that was special and always something I'd want to do but couldn't.”
The good lord has called him home. Now he can say “Hi Mom” in person.
