Photo from GoPack.com
I’m still catching my breath after Saturday night’s miracle. Wow! Thank God that I decided to make the trip to the game. In case you missed it, you can click here to see how close I was to not going and why I decided to go.
Before we get going too far into the week, I wanted to spend just a minute to specifically highlight Daniel Evans (and his family) one more time. I honestly don’t think that we can overkill the uniqueness of the cross-section where Saturday night’s miracle intersects with an amazing family.
There is probably little reason for most Wolfpackers out there to have much of an insight into the Evans’ family other than knowing about Johnny Evans’ place within the Wolfpack community. But, the ‘specialness’ of these folks goes much further than NC State.
I have never had the pleasure of meeting any members of the Evans family. Yet, I have rarely encountered people who are held in as much esteem and respected to the levels that they are by their peers and acquaintances. It is truly amazing.
If you ever have the chance to speak with anyone that personally knows the Evans family, you need to watch their faces and listen to how they speak of the Evans’ to experience the comfort and happiness that washes over them. I have rarely encountered people whom everybody likes and nobody hesitates to immediately smile and tell you how special the family is. In my humble opinion, this adds a different and very special layer to the reasons that Saturday night was so special.
Almost fifteen years ago I was dating a young woman whose family owned a business where Johnny Evans worked. I was obviously intrigued at the Wolfpack-angle when I learned of Evans’ employment by the family/company. But, it didn’t take long for me to forget about the State-stuff as I listened to everyone in my girlfriend’s family (father, mother, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc) talk about how special of a man Johnny Evans is and how there isn’t a more respected man at their company.
I’ve never forgotten ^that; and over the years this message has been reinforced dozens of times by others – whether it is the Bible studies that Mr. Evans’ teaches or people that knew him at NC State, you never get anything but an extended compliment.
Daniel Evans may be the easiest Wolfpacker in history for my friends and I to support because we relate to Daniel’s innate motivation and love of the Wolfpack. Daniel Evans grew-up dreaming of Carter-Finley and Reynolds Coliseum; he didn’t grow up dreaming of Bryant-Denny and the LA Coliseum. NC State is all he ever wanted. Had I been rated the #1 quarterback or #1 basketball prospect in America coming out of high school, I would have never dreamed of playing anywhere but NC State. Daniel Evans is the the exact same way. There would have been no other option.
I’m a Christian, but I am not as religious as I once was or as I should be today. Now that I have a young (7 month old) son, I hope to be more focused on the way that I live my life and find ways to provide my son the kind of guidance and leadership that Johnny has obviously provided Daniel.
Regardless of where I may be on my personal spiritual journey I am in no way blind to the uniqueness of Daniel Evans’ storybook miracle in Raleigh on Saturday night or in the prayer that many Wolfpack players shared at mid-field after the game. I am also not deaf to the praise that young Daniel gave to his Lord in his first opportunity for post game comments. It was a special night for everyone involved. It was wonderful to see that good things can happen to such good people.
