Who's Doing This? Sarge and The Hill
Categories: Sales Leadership
Bowling Green, Ohio is one of the flattest places on earth. However there is one area located on the campus of Bowling Green State University which, at times during football practice, looked like Mt. Everest to me. This area is known as “The Hill” to BGSU football players. I hated this hill and this hill hated me. It stands ominously on the outskirts of the BGSU practice field. The players are sent to run this hill for basic conditioning and also as punishment for screwing up. In other words, me and this “Hill”, we got history.
Recently, this hill has come to have special meaning to me. It’s become a symbol of being uncommon. So much so, that I wanted to share the story with you.
Raymond “Sarge” Redd is a very unique individual. Sarge and I played football together at BG a long, long time ago. We roomed together our first year at BG. I transferred in from Boise State and Ray came straight out of the military. He was 25 years old as a freshman. Our worlds could not have been any farther apart, but I believe God brought us together. Ray or “Sarge” was loved by all of his fellow teammates. He was a walking inspiration to us all. He took a leave from the military to make a college football team and gave himself a 3-4 month window to go back, if he was not successful. There was no room for failure in Ray’s mind. Not only did he make the team, he earned a full scholarship and wound up starting for several years.
As life goes, Ray and I lost touch over the years. We both went on to raise families and tried to have impact in our communities. Ray dedicated his life to serving his community. He taught and coached for several years in the Dayton, OH area and also worked with troubled youth. In one sense or another, Ray has spent his whole life serving others.
A few weeks ago, BGSU held a special event honoring the 1985 BGSU football team that was undefeated and ranked 20th in the nation at the end of the regular season. Unfortunately, my travel schedule conflicted with the event and I was not able to attend. One of my coaches sent out an email sharing stories from the day. All the stories brought a huge smile to my face except for one…
Coach told us that Ray had been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. He never smoked!!! None of us could believe it, especially the people that attended the event. You see, Ray was not supposed to be alive for this event. His doctors told him that he would not be around and, if he was, he would not be able to walk. He had to rehab just to learn how to walk again. The tumor had actually broken his spine. In true “Sarge” fashion, he refused to tell anybody at the event. In fact, he did not even tell his own family until the doctors persuaded him to do so. He casually told Coach on his way out of town about his situation. When asked, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”, he responded, “I did not want to take anything away from this great weekend.”
The biggest miracle of that weekend was not the 1985 team, it was Ray. Ray "took the hill” before he left! As I said, “The Hill” was my absolute nemesis in college. (Did I also tell you that I hate “The Hill?”)
After a glorious reunion with teammates who had no idea he was sick, Sarge went and stared down “The Hill.” Sarge took it like the Airborne Soldier that he is. This same man who was told that he shouldn’t be alive, that he shouldn’t be able to walk, and that he shouldn’t even go to the reunion took “The Hill”…TWICE. Just to make sure he gave it his best, he back pedaled down the second time!
As you watch this video, I want you to always remember my friend, Raymond “Sarge” Redd. Ask yourself, “Who’s Doing This?!” Know that you have witnessed, someone who is truly UNCOMMON.
If you would like to know more about Ray’s story…and connect with those who are supporting Ray through his journey, a gofundme account has been set up. All of the donations go directly to Ray.
