At 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 250 pounds, it’s hard to believe that once upon a time, newly drafted Seattle Seahawk outside linebacker Derick Hall could fit in the palm of his mother’s hand.
But it’s a fact. Born prematurely and weighing just 2 pounds and 9 ounces, Hall’s mother Stacy Gooden-Crandle was encouraged to sign “Do Not Resuscitate” forms. The doctor relayed there was a 99% chance the boy would never make it through labor.
“The doctors wanted me to just let nature take its course,” Stacy said, looking back on that tenuous season. “We decided we wanted to fight for him. I had to give him a chance.”
Doctors said if he made it thru the birth, he wouldn’t have a heartbeat. They were right. Derick was born without a heartbeat – but because his mother hadn’t signed the papers, they resuscitated him.
“My mom is my queen,” Derick said. “She is everything to me, how hard she worked raising two kids by herself at first, working two or three jobs. She’s my Superhero. She’s my Wonder Woman. She’s the person who kept me living.”
A few weeks removed from being drafted in the second round after a stellar career at Auburn, Hall’s pro-life story is making headlines all over the world.
Earlier this week, ESPN’s Sportscenter featured a wonderful video of the linebacker’s story, specifically highlighting Stacy’s courage and bravery.
“Thank you so much for the pro-life story!” Kyle Hessler tweeted back at the sports media giant.
“Dennis” didn’t take kindly to Kyle’s comment. “Trying to inject your religious/political beliefs into this story is inappropriate,” he replied. “We can all be happy about this man’s story without making it about anyone but him.”
Only nobody’s story is just about them. Every person is born to a mother, and we owe our moms our undying gratitude. Dennis may not like the fact that many are seeing this story for what it is – but that doesn’t change the facts.
Life is not a political issue. Yes, it’s been politicized, but only by radical abortion zealots who are committed to preserving the legalization of abortion.
While Derick Hall wildly defied the projections of his mother’s doctors, his premature birth nevertheless led to cognitive delays. He was forced to go for both speech and physical therapy four hours a day, four days a week.
Guess who took him to those sessions and worked with him seven days a week? His mother, of course. That he overcame his disabilities and is now poised for an NFL career is a testament to God’s grace and favor – and a mother’s love and devotion.
The Derick Hall story should serve as a reminder to the world that every life is fragile and yet of immeasurable and inestimable value. It’s also a reminder that a mother’s courage and love knows no bounds.
Seattle Seahawk fan or not, we’ll be rooting for Derick Hall this coming season.
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