A Lamp Unto My Cleats

The Nation was falling apart.

In the late 1960s, the nation of Nigeria fell into turmoil.  The secessionist Republic of Biafra declared its independence from Nigeria and brough the nation into a Civil War.  A young man named Fred Nnadi joined to army to fight for his country.  After the war, Fred, sought a better life than the one he though he could live in his home country.  In 1978, he immigrated to the United States and settled in Virginia, where he would be joined by his wife, Christy, two years later.  Upon arriving in the states, the Nnadi family had very little.  They survived their first year on only $2,000.  Through hard work, perseverance, and dedication, they were able to forge a wonderful future.  Together, they raised seven wonderful children.  Their youngest is Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Lineman, Derrick Nnadi.

Fred continues to use what he learned from his experiences to teach his son.  Derrick told Matt McMullen, “I talk to him every day.  He tries to put me in the right mindset by saying, ‘You’re here, now what? You have to prove yourself every day that you’re on that field.’ He’s been saying that to me since I was in middle school – you want to be the best of the best of the best of the best of the best – you have to say it five times.”  He added on the Unpackin’ Podcast: “One thing I know about my father for sure is he can tell stories.  I mean stories where you need to cancel your day…  There’s always a meaning for every story.  There’s always something that sticks to me every time he gives me some little speech…”

Here are a few of the life lessons Derrick learned from his father:

•      On Education: “Don’t settle for average.  Try to be above average.  Like, for instance, when I was in elementary school, every time I would get a C, or anything like that, my dad would look me dead in the eyes and say, ‘son, it’s not okay to have a C.  A see means ‘see ya!’’  And it hurt my soul every time he would tell me that!” 
•      On Perseverance: “Even if things are bad, just keep working.  Because, at the end of the day, if you keep doing what you have to do, and things you’ve got to do, things should turn out in the end.”

Fred Nnadi isn’t the only one whose advice Derrick leans on.  At one point, during his college years, he found himself in an abusive relationship.  His desire to be loved kept him from moving on.  In his moment of need, he found himself being guided by the words of a wise mentor once more.  Being a Christian who grew up going to church, Derrick has several Christian songs on his playlist. One day, he was listening to music when the song “Imagine,” by Kirk Franklin, began to play.  In the song are the following lyrics: “This song is dedicated to people like me: those that struggle with insecurities, acceptance and even self-esteem.  You didn’t never felt good enough, you never felt pretty enough.  But imagine God whispering in your ear, letting you know that everything that has happened is now gone.  It’s all gone.  Every sin.  Every mistake.  Every failure.  It’s all gone…”  Those words helped him know that he couldn’t do it anymore and that it was time for him to move on.

I’m reminded here of Solomon’s words from Proverbs 12:15: The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. 

Derrick Nnadi is an example of a wise man who seeks to learn from the advice of others, whether its from his father, his coaches, his pastor, or even from the songs he hears on Christian radio.

Not only does Derrick listen to wise council, he also gives it!  Here’s the advice has for younger athletes – though it’s advice that really applies to us all: “Be coachable.  Because no ones knows everything.  The more you learn, the more you can adapt to any other type of changes.” 

Wise words from a wise man!