And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Excerpts from Romans 8
As many of you might have heard or read in the news, we have had a turn of events in our lives recently. Steve has re-injured his back and as of Saturday, is no longer on the Panther's active roster.
One week ago, Steve was feeling great and played second-string center in the Panther's first pre-season scrimmage at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Two days later (Monday, August 9), he started feeling pain in his lower back after practice. The pain only worsened as the week progressed, but he continued to practice and try his best to compete. On Wednesday evening, he was informed by his coaches that he would be running third-string center in their first game against the Baltimore Ravens the next night. By the time the game arrived, Steve was in excruciating pain, despite every effort that he and the training staff took to relieve the pain. Steve played in three offensive series in the fourth quarter of the game (and every field goal attempt after the first quarter). After the game, Steve felt no relief but somehow managed to survive after a long bus ride and plane trip home. The next day (Friday), he went to treatment in the morning, and saw the team doctor for the second time. They insisted that they did not believe that he had injured his disc again, and refused to give him an MRI. Yesterday morning, Steve's pain still persisted, and the trainers held him out from practice. After practice, Marty Hurney (the Panther's GM) called Steve up to his office to inform him that they were going to waive him on account of his injury as they needed to bring in a healthy linebacker for their battered linebacker corps.
We, along with his agents, have decided to wait and see how Steve's back progresses, rather than file an injury settlement. Steve will remain on IR until he is healthy again. If his back is injured badly, it is likely that he will be on IR for the 2010 NFL season. If he is not inured badly and gets healthy soon, he will most likely be released by the Panthers and will be available to be picked up by another team. The Panthers are obligated to get Steve back to football playing condition. The latest news is that the team will be sending Steve to Dallas, TX to be examined by one of the top neurosurgeons in the country. We are awaiting his diagnosis to see what the next step will be.
Those are the facts. Make of them what you will, but we wanted you to know the whole story. While this has not been easy, we have hope. Many of you know the faith that we profess, and we profess it more strongly now than ever. Steve has given everything he has to this profession. From leaving the hospital the day Hannah arrived to report to off-season workouts, to studying his playbook for hours on end, to building his body to as big and as strong as it could possibly be, Steve has given 110% to making the Panthers 53-man roster (as he also did in Indianapolis). We have no regrets. We know and trust that God has a plan. He brought us to Charlotte for a reason, and we are incredibly thankful to Him for all that we have. For Hannah, for my job, for our home, for the food on our table, and for you. The NFL is a brutal business - just like this world. We know that our inheritance lies in heaven, and when our days are done, we have One Judge. No matter what God allows to happen in our lives, it is our mission to be faithful servants. We will go where Christ leads us and we will do what Christ calls us to do. He has never left our side, and we will not leave His.
Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and concern. We are taking this one day at a time, and praising Him who gives us abundant life!
We love you and will update you once the next chapter begins. We are excited and we hope you are too.
Love always,
Steve, Lindsey, Hannah, Dallas (Tweedle-dee), and Daytona (Tweedle-dumb :-))
