The Power Of Persistence
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series IV, Cycle A
Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." And her daughter was healed instantly. (v. 28)
Like so many boys, Reggie Swinton grew up wanting to be a professional athlete. His dream was to play wide receiver in the National Football League. So he was excited when he completed his eligibility at Murry State and was invited to join the Jacksonville Jaguars in April 1998. As a non--drafted free agent, he had little chance to make the team, but at least it was a chance.
He participated in the Jacksonville training camp all summer, but was released by the Jaguars before the season began. Figuring his chances to play professionally might be better in Canada, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in February 1999. His stay in Toronto was short, as he was traded two weeks later to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers where he was cut five months later in August. He then caught on with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL in September, but was released a month later.
Undaunted by his drifting, he tried his luck with the NFL again and signed with the Seattle Seahawks in February 2000. He once again went through training camp, but was released by the Seahawks before the season began. About that time NBC and Vince McMahan, who was the "brains" behind the World Wrestling Federation, joined forces to create a new professional football league, the XFL. Swinton signed on with the Las Vegas Outlaws, but they cut him in training camp in April 2001.
After not being wanted by six teams in three different leagues, Swinton decided to give up, and go home to Little Rock, Arkansas. But with the encouragement of his dad, he decided to give it one more chance. He tried out for the Little Rock Twisters of the Arena Football 2 League. It was a semi--pro indoor league where players were paid so poorly that they held full-time jobs. He was initially cut by the Twisters, but then re--signed after the fourth game.
Swinton excelled with the Twisters and set several franchise records, catching 85 passes for 1,463 yards and 33 touchdowns in just thirteen games. However, it was a world away from the NFL. At the conclusion of the season, Swinton resolved to give up his dream and seek a career that could pay the bills. In August 2001, he enrolled in a car salesman school.
At the same time, the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL needed wide receivers for practice until their regular receivers became healthy. Swinton's offensive coordinator with the Twisters, Ron Calcagni, was visiting the Cowboys training camp and mentioned Swinton as a possibility. After a few phone calls, Swinton was in camp.
Swinton started making plays in practice. Before too long, he was making plays in the preseason games both as a kick returner and as a wide receiver. This time, when the final cut--down day arrived, Swinton had survived, making his first NFL team. He, of all people after all those times being cut, was the Cowboys kickoff returner in the season opener.
In his first NFL game, he took the opening kickoff from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and raced 77 yards, which set up a Dallas field goal. He had his ups and downs during the season. He returned a punt for a touchdown against the Broncos on Thanksgiving Day. However, Swinton also fumbled twice in Seattle. He later admitted he probably "tried too hard" against the Seahawks since they had cut him a year earlier.
But at the end of the season, Swinton's persistence had paid off. He had established himself as one of the top kick returners in the league. He finished third in the NFL with a 13.4 punt return average and earned All--Pro honors from College and Pro Football Newsweekly. Swinton set four Cowboys records, including combined return yards of 1,741 yards in a season.
The following August Swinton reflected on his journey to the NFL. He commented to DallasCowboys.com staff writer, Nick Eatman, "I just closed my eyes and prayed to God and thanked him for blessing me and putting me in this situation. He brought me a long, long way."
Persistence based on faith can bring wonderful blessings.
Like so many boys, Reggie Swinton grew up wanting to be a professional athlete. His dream was to play wide receiver in the National Football League. So he was excited when he completed his eligibility at Murry State and was invited to join the Jacksonville Jaguars in April 1998. As a non--drafted free agent, he had little chance to make the team, but at least it was a chance.
He participated in the Jacksonville training camp all summer, but was released by the Jaguars before the season began. Figuring his chances to play professionally might be better in Canada, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in February 1999. His stay in Toronto was short, as he was traded two weeks later to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers where he was cut five months later in August. He then caught on with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL in September, but was released a month later.
Undaunted by his drifting, he tried his luck with the NFL again and signed with the Seattle Seahawks in February 2000. He once again went through training camp, but was released by the Seahawks before the season began. About that time NBC and Vince McMahan, who was the "brains" behind the World Wrestling Federation, joined forces to create a new professional football league, the XFL. Swinton signed on with the Las Vegas Outlaws, but they cut him in training camp in April 2001.
After not being wanted by six teams in three different leagues, Swinton decided to give up, and go home to Little Rock, Arkansas. But with the encouragement of his dad, he decided to give it one more chance. He tried out for the Little Rock Twisters of the Arena Football 2 League. It was a semi--pro indoor league where players were paid so poorly that they held full-time jobs. He was initially cut by the Twisters, but then re--signed after the fourth game.
Swinton excelled with the Twisters and set several franchise records, catching 85 passes for 1,463 yards and 33 touchdowns in just thirteen games. However, it was a world away from the NFL. At the conclusion of the season, Swinton resolved to give up his dream and seek a career that could pay the bills. In August 2001, he enrolled in a car salesman school.
At the same time, the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL needed wide receivers for practice until their regular receivers became healthy. Swinton's offensive coordinator with the Twisters, Ron Calcagni, was visiting the Cowboys training camp and mentioned Swinton as a possibility. After a few phone calls, Swinton was in camp.
Swinton started making plays in practice. Before too long, he was making plays in the preseason games both as a kick returner and as a wide receiver. This time, when the final cut--down day arrived, Swinton had survived, making his first NFL team. He, of all people after all those times being cut, was the Cowboys kickoff returner in the season opener.
In his first NFL game, he took the opening kickoff from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and raced 77 yards, which set up a Dallas field goal. He had his ups and downs during the season. He returned a punt for a touchdown against the Broncos on Thanksgiving Day. However, Swinton also fumbled twice in Seattle. He later admitted he probably "tried too hard" against the Seahawks since they had cut him a year earlier.
But at the end of the season, Swinton's persistence had paid off. He had established himself as one of the top kick returners in the league. He finished third in the NFL with a 13.4 punt return average and earned All--Pro honors from College and Pro Football Newsweekly. Swinton set four Cowboys records, including combined return yards of 1,741 yards in a season.
The following August Swinton reflected on his journey to the NFL. He commented to DallasCowboys.com staff writer, Nick Eatman, "I just closed my eyes and prayed to God and thanked him for blessing me and putting me in this situation. He brought me a long, long way."
Persistence based on faith can bring wonderful blessings.
