LIFE IS A BOXING RING, 3: WHEN DISASTER STRIKES REPEATEDLY

"Life on Earth is at the ever-increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster, such as sudden global nuclear war, a genetically engineered virus or other dangers we have not yet thought of." - Stephen Hawking 

Boxing

The story continues. The next year, after being named to start for Missouri Valley College in one of the first football games to be televised locally, George came down with mononucleosis. It was my brother Bob who helped reinforce George’s already strong philosophy of never giving up. The family was sitting in George’s room at the hospital, watching the game on TV, when Valley’s quarterback completed a 12-yard pass to the tight end. Then the announcer said, "And George Schlatter makes the first catch of the game." Shocked, we all looked at the bed to make sure George was still there. Then we realized what had happened. Bob, who had made the starting line-up, had worn George’s number so George could spend the afternoon hearing himself catching six passes and making countless tackles. Later he said, "If I can do that flat on my back with a temperature of 103 degrees, just think what I can do when I’m up!" As he overcame mono, he did it with the lesson Bob taught him that day…there is always a way!