Speaking of Sports Column Archive

Speaking
of
Sports

by
Bernie
Fratto

A Ray of Sunshine

7/21/04
Years ago in Yankee Stadium, Rickey Henderson once loafed after a fly ball as it dropped in front of him for a base hit. “You’re a jaker” the Bronx faithful yelled. In New York, a “Jake” is someone who doesn’t play hard.

In Novi, a Jake is someone that goes all out on every play… Say hello again to Novi’s Jake Ray, as he enters his 3rd year at Albion College.

You remember Jake as a tough, talented, multi-faceted football player, and he was a major factor in the Wildcat’s success in 2000 and 2001.

He returned kicks and played special teams, he was All-Conference and All-Area on the defensive side of the ball, and in his final regular season game, he rushed for over 230 yards against the cross-town rival Northville Mustangs. To my knowledge, this is a school record.

Jake Ray was an unsung hero. But to even casual observers, Ray was the heart and soul of the team. And, don’t let his smiling face and friendly demeanor fool you. This kid is tougher than a 3-dollar steak. Rumor has it he went swimming in Lochness, and the monster got out.

Then, off the field, he’ll shake your hand warmly, look you in the eye and resume his Clark Kent gentlemanly demeanor.

I know I should have taken the time to learn the name of the Head Football Coach at Albion College, but the fact that I didn’t doesn’t change the point I’m trying to make here. This is an open memo to the Coach. Get this kid on the field, please.

I openly root for Jake Ray. Sure, he is a great athlete, and a terrific football player, but he’s a guy I think we can all identify with. A guy who is willing to work hard and do the heavy lifting, and a guy that shouldn’t have to do twice as much to get the same respect. Even the most casual observer can’t miss his presence between the sidelines.

We root for Jake Ray because, to me, he represents all that is good and pure about sports. We all want to believe if you do the right thing and not the easy thing, your rewards will be assured.

Jake Ray deserves to be on the field this year as a key contributing member of the Albion Brittains. Not because he’s a nice guy, and he had a great high school career.

The truth is, Jake Ray wins football games.

Get this kid on the field, and you’ll never get him off.

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Bernie Fratto is a freelance writer, radio personality, and motivational speaker. His passion for sports comes in part from his experience as a former Cincinnati Red farm- hand. "Behind every sports story lies the hearts and minds of real human beings" said Fratto. "These athletic endeavors often serve as a metaphor for the game we call life."

Bernie is also the voice of Novi Wildcat Hockey and host of Wildcat Face-off, a local radio program dedicated to youth sports in Novi.