USCs Missing Man Formation (poached from another site)
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 4:26 am
The Trojan’s Missing Man Formation
The USC Trojans, college football’s highest rated team had just scored their first touchdown of the 2007 season. Now, the special team’s point after TD unit was aligned on the field. They were all in position awaiting the center snap for the PAT attempt – all except one. There was no kicker on the field. The other ten players remained motionless, like silent sentinels they remained in their stance while the play clock ticked down to zero seconds and the whistle blew.
The referees convened and placed the ball five yards further back and the two teams realigned themselves once again. This time the Trojans had a kicker in place, who proceeded to kick the football through the uprights of the goalpost that was adorned with the number nineteen. It was a fitting tribute to a fallen Trojan hero who should have been making that kick, but wasn’t.
It was a very moving moment, in many ways similar to the pervasive spirit that had attended the Virginia Tech ceremonies earlier in the day which saluted thirty two mostly young stars that were fallen to earth before their time. When a young person dies, it’s a gut wrenching experience. When an older person passes away, it’s not easier for those loved ones left behind, but at least they can take solace in the knowledge that their beloved had lived a full life and had an opportunity to fulfil their fondest dreams hopefully.
I don’t know if you have had the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. and see the various monuments. They are all very moving, inspirational, and thought provoking. One such monument, is The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. Therein repose the unidentifiable remains of a soldier who gave his life in defense of our liberties. I find it difficult to not reach out my hand to try to touch the tomb, as if by so doing I might sense more about whom this person was, what they thought, cared about and hoped to achieve.
I guess that most of my life I have been fascinated by heroic deeds and the heroes that accomplish them. I’m not referring to the celebrity worship that pervades our culture today. I’m not interested in the wasteful, libertine exploits of callous and selfish celebrities who are frequently in the news. No, I’m referring to the real life heroes like the valiant fire fighters and cops who entered the burning World Trade Center towers to try to rescue trapped workers; or the Jewish VT professor who blocked the door of his classroom so that his students could escape the bullets of the crazed gunman that he did not; or the three Utah miners who set aside the obvious dangers to their own lives to try to rescue their six entombed comrades. They are heroes all.
Not all heroes have to risk life and limb to be a true hero. Anyone who has profoundly influenced others for good in their community, been a positive role model or inspiration to others, has in my estimation performed a heroic service. Most of the time, these real life heroes are little known outside of their families or small circle of close friends. Nevertheless, on those occasions when they come to our public attention, I find myself wishing I could know them better than merely reading what is reported in the press.
I think number nineteen was that kind of person. Who was he? Mario Danelo was by all accounts a wonderfully warm and caring person with an engaging smile and a perpetually upbeat personality that gave liberally of his positive persona to anyone who may have needed it.
We will never know what brought him to that perilous precipice overlooking the Pacific Ocean that dark night. However, what is more important is what we do know. It seems that the testimonies of those who knew him to any degree, verify this character trait of Mario, that if he could help you, he would. His greatest gift was not kicking field goals for the Trojans on the gridiron, but just being himself on the daily playing field of life. That alone - genuine love for your fellow man - was the rarest of gifts.
How many can truly say that about themselves? How many of us can say that by being true to ourselves, by our very natures we bring sincere joy into the everyday lives of those around us? Mario could say that, but he didn’t need to – everyone who knew him, said it for him. And perhaps those who spoke most profoundly of him, were his ten former teammates who stood in silent tribute, in the missing man formation, near the goalpost adorned for all the world to see with a cardinal red and gold number nineteen.
He was and shall forever be, an essential part of the Trojan family. Until we meet again Mario, in a heavenly place, God Bless.
Joseph of Ancient Egypt
