Fame

I had a very interesting experience this weekend. I attended a hall of fame induction ceremony for several local athletic legends. This year's inductees included Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers, who won the Heisman Trophy; Greg Olson, who had a 14-year MLB career and was selected the AL Rookie of the Year in 1989; and Joe Orduna, who helped take the Huskers to a national championship in the early 70s and played 3 years in the NFL.

As most of these inductions go, you shake hands with a bunch of locally-important people, eat a nice steak dinner (medium rare, of course), and then listen to the inductees talk about themselves. This is all to be expected since the whole point of the night is to celebrate the human accomplishments of these individuals. I was fully prepared to settle in for a night of small talk and polite clapping at the appropriate times. What I was totally unprepared for was to spend a night getting to know someone who has decided not to measure their life based upon athletic accolades from days gone by, but to measure their life by a different standard.

Joe Orduna, you see, is a graduate of the high school where I work. His high school football jersey is one of only four others that hang in a prominent place in our gym lobby. His name still graces some spots on our school's list of record-holders. He was also previously inducted into our own school's hall of fame several years ago, and thus his plaque hangs conspicuously with others upon Central High's hallowed halls. But, what Joe spent the most time talking with me about on Saturday night was his love for Jesus Christ. Joe shared his testimony with me and wanted to let me know about the great opportunities his athletic fame grants him to share the gospel.

Joe and I talked for quite a while both before the dinner and after. Joe went back to school after his NFL career and finished his degree. He now teaches high school biology in California. He told me about the wonderful Christian principal that he works for and the great group of believing, creation-oriented science teachers he works with. While most everyone else was hob-nobbing with Omaha's movers and shakers, Joe prayed with me off in a corner.

The ceremony began with a video homage to the inductees. Included were highlights from Joe's high school, college, and NFL career. Each inductee spoke. They all ceremoniously thanked their family, high school coaches, and others that helped them start their careers and then recounted their shining achievements. Joe also recounted some fond memories of his high school days and his time growing up in Omaha. He then shared a very clear testimony of how Jesus Christ saved his life and how this has meant more to him than any award or honor he could ever recieve. He also invited any that might want to talk to him or just might need someone to pray with them to find him at the end of the evening. While it was evident that not everyone was comfortable with what Joe said during his speech, it was also interesting to see those who approached him after the ceremony and wanted to share something with him that was on their heart. Joe simply asked if they would mind if he prayed for them. Joe has a knack of being very disarming. I was truly taken back by how simply he was able to share his testimony to those he had just met.

I am sure I will recount the time I met Johnny Rodgers, Gregg Olson, Gayle Sayers and others. Their fame has earned them a spot with my other fleeting memories of interesting things I have experienced.

I don't know if I will ever cross paths with Joe Orduna again. He has, by now, gone back to California where he will be teaching high school biology and serving in his church. I know I will remember Joe Orduna. He will be more than an interesting personality I once had the fortune to meet. He is someone whose testimony and faith will have a lasting impact upon my life.

The message Joe put on the football he signed for me sums it up best:
As God made me
So I am
As He wills
So will I be
A life dedicated
To Jesus Christ