LETTER: Boy was prescient with draft advice, Packers were ingrates

To Ozaukee Press:

 “Boy told Packers who to draft, and they did it.” A great headline for a neat article written by Ozaukee Press sports editor Mitch Maersch, who also took the photo of his subject, Charles Peterson, a sixth-grader at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Port Washington. Charles strongly suggested to the Packers, in their recent drafting of rookies, that they select a strong quarterback to replace Aaron Rodgers some years from now, who could learn from Rodgers (still one of the best in the NFL) and hopefully take his place one day.

That quarterback, selected by the Packers as their number one draft choice, was the quarterback for the Utah State team this past season, Jordan Love. What a classic name—the River Jordan in the Holy Land and the greatest of all virtues for a last name, Love! Now if only his NFL record will be even close to his classic names.

Obviously there was disappointment in young Charles Peterson that no one in the Packers front office would take the time (and courtesy) to send a note to thank him for his marvelous suggestion. It brings to my mind the insightful suggestion from a Jesuit professor of mass communications at Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles to his class many years ago (I was in that class): “Many times, in your career and in your life, you will be disappointed by people who should send you a note of thanks, but fail to do so. In my own life, I’ve always made use of the ninth beatitude.”

 At that moment, the whole class showed a very puzzled look: There are only eight beatitudes. Never ever even heard there is one more.

The Jesuit prof smiled, “Yes, there is; it’s my own—Blessed are they who expect nothing, for they will never be disappointed.” The whole class applauded loudly.  Then he added his final point, “But believe me, top-shelf people do respond. That’s exactly why they are top-shelf.” For his final point, the applaud was even louder.

 Father Guy Gurath
Fredonia