Chiefs’ poem – “The Overcomer of Great Odds: A Tribute Poem for former Chiefs player, J. J. Birden”
11 repliesChiefs Kingdom –
Sometime last winter, I got to interact on Twitter with former Chiefs’ WR, J. J. Birden (who played in KC from 1990-91 to 1994-95, during the Joe Montana years. I have made it a personal promise that for any former Chiefs’ player who friends me on Twitter, I will write a tribute poem for him. Here is my long-overdue tribute to J. J. Birden. And the more I learned of him, the more inspired and encouraged I was. I’m sure you will be, too. – 3rdnlong.
“The Overcomer of Great Odds: A Tribute Poem for former Chiefs player, J. J. Birden”
In honor of a former great
Who wore the Arrowhead with pride,
A tribute let all Chiefs fans state
For J. J. Birden who odds defied.
A smaller man but large in heart,
J. J. had to stand his ground.
At five foot ten he stood his part,
His weight? 157 pounds!
But fleet of foot and sure of hand,
J. J. knew he had the skill
To play division 1 as planned.
Still, getting there was all uphill.
Too many said, “Just give up, man.”
Too many wouldn’t hear him out.
Too many just threw up their hands.
For they all just assumed with doubt.
How could a man this size go play?
But J. J. only persevered.
With ears tuned out to what they’d say,
He pushed until that hurdle cleared.
And perseverance paid off when
He got to meet a coach, Rich Brooks
Who at the U of Oregon
Heard J. J. out; gave him the looks.
Convinced that J. J. had the fire,
Brooks took him on and J. J. played.
Four years at Oregon transpired,
And J.J.’s skills were all displayed.
The odds were stacked against him high.
But never one to give such heed,
He got to work, his craft applied,
And showed great hands and fearsome speed.
He caught the eye of one Browns coach
Named Marty S, when drafters passed.
In 1990, Chiefs approached,
With Schottenheimer there at last.
For five great seasons with KC,
J. J. got to run and catch.
His number “88” would be,
And in Chiefs’ lore his name was etched.
When his Chiefs’ five-year stint was done,
J. J. then a Falcon was.
But his great skills to catch and run
Still should bring Chiefs fans to applause.
Played nine years in the NFL,
The smallest man to do that feat.
He overcame great odds as well,
And would not give up in defeat.
Now, J. J. Birden uses speech
To motivate all to their best.
For he who overcame, can teach
So many that they reach their crest.
In honor of a former great
Who wore the Arrowhead with pride,
This tribute all Chiefs fans should state
For J. J. Birden who odds defied.
About Author
Great stuff!
Thanks, Nas. Appreciate it.
Well done, 3rd. Gave me a smile.
Thanks, Nova. There’s a lot I couldn’t get to either, like how Birden was almost on the Olympic team for track and sprinting, but he had an injury and couldn’t try out for it. Getting to learn about the player and the man only made me appreciate what a gifted man he is.
And just so you guys all know.
J. J. Birden has seen this and liked it! (If I only knew how to embed pictures, I would do it and show you! Alas. I am not tech savvy).
nice!
Good one!. Didn’t realize JJ was that small
I asked him if there was anything he thought I should mention in the tribute, and he said that as far as he knew, he was the smallest man to ever play for as long as he did (9 years) in the NFL. 5’10, 157 lbs.
To be fair, I got J.J.’s height and weight from himself. He specifically told me that as far as he knew, he was the longest lasting NFL player to play at that specific height and weight.