Odell is elated, but its bittersweet

[SouthernStripes]

I am ecstatic about Odell's return as most of us are.

I dont expect it right away, but I really hope he returns to form and gives us that playmaker we have so desperately been needing on Defense.
I hope even more he keeps his nose clean and realizes the opportunity he has before him.
Not so much for our sake as Bengals fans, but for his more than anything.

We all know about his past and how he grew up.


The kid is still young and has alot to learn. I hope that he keeps moving in the right direction.
Some will say he had every chance in the world and why should I feel sorry for him.
Agreed to an extent. But we all make mistakes. This guy has always had the odds against him.
Some of which he did make himself.
I cant imagine growing up without my Mother and losing my Father like that.
Im not asking for sympathy for him and I dont think he would either.

So I will be praying for him. Those of you who have any faith about you, I ask that you do the same.

Hopefully a guy like Dhani Jones can take Odell in and mentor him, on and off the field.

This is from the front page.



In keeping pace with his star-crossed football career, Odell Thurmanhttp://assets.bengals.com/images/relatedicon.gif (http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=6734#)'s best moments have come at the worst times.

Thurman received his long-awaited reinstatement from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell Monday after a two-year exile for violating the league's substance abuse policy, but he was home in Monticello, Ga., by the bedside of his gravely ill grandmother.

Betty Thurman, 80, a breast cancer survivor of 20 years who has also undergone heart surgery, has been constantly on Thurman's mind, according to one of his representatives, while everyone else has been riveted on word from New York.

"She's not doing very well and it's really the last family he has left," said Safarrah Lawson Monday afternoon. "He's elated to be reinstated, but it's bittersweet."

Betty Thurman raised Odell from the time his mother Joyce was killed in a car accident when he was 10. His father, Otis, died of liver and kidney failure a couple of days before his first college game.




:tiger:

[wilson]

Right on SS. I hope nothing but the best for Odell and hope he returns to form. I know the team needs Odell, and I have a feeling he needs the team even more than they need him. Let's hope Odell sees the writing on the wall, especially with what just happened with Chris Henry, and comes back to have a long and successful career with the Bengals. That would be great wouldn't it?

[wildcats forever]

A nice sentiment SS - good post. Here's hoping Odell is given a fair chance to make the team and stays the course.

[RetroBengal]

With all that he has been through, I think we will see a more poised player with a new found hunger. The man has had it pretty rough and with him toughing it out and overcoming all that he has endured growing up just leaves me with a great feeling about his return. Everyone makes mistakes, it would be hard not finding an easy way out like most do, but he has kept his head high and driving forward. I can't wait to see him play again. Praying for you family Odell. Keep the faith.

[eoxyod]

That final article made me feel really bad for Odell
He was raised tough and has a tough road ahead of him

[SouthernStripes]

Right on SS. I hope nothing but the best for Odell and hope he returns to form. I know the team needs Odell, and I have a feeling he needs the team even more than they need him. Let's hope Odell sees the writing on the wall, especially with what just happened with Chris Henry, and comes back to have a long and successful career with the Bengals. That would be great wouldn't it?

A nice sentiment SS - good post. Here's hoping Odell is given a fair chance to make the team and stays the course.

With all that he has been through, I think we will see a more poised player with a new found hunger. The man has had it pretty rough and with him toughing it out and overcoming all that he has endured growing up just leaves me with a great feeling about his return. Everyone makes mistakes, it would be hard not finding an easy way out like most do, but he has kept his head high and driving forward. I can't wait to see him play again. Praying for you family Odell. Keep the faith.

Thanks guys.
Im glad we all can see the bigger picture here.
Maybe what happened to Henry is a blessing in disguise for Odell. Hopefully he learns from that.
With all that has been stacked against him, I can see him coming back determined to overcome it all and prove the naysayers wrong.
Wishful thinking, yes.
But like wilson said, He needs this team, even more than we need him.

Just to add to it.


"I think it really helped him to come back to the stadium and be around his teammates," Lawson said. "I do think he's going to make it. I think he's been clean for two years and that he's ready to get back to playing and getting on the field. He'll have the spring and training camp to knock the rust off."

Lawson said Thurman is in the 250-pound range, a good 10 pounds over where the Bengals want him, "but that will come off easily once the camps start."

Before coming back to PBS, Thurman split his time between Cincinnati and Monticello, home of his three children, and worked out as well as working a construction job.

"Odell has met the NFL's conditions for reinstatement and has been added to our offseason roster," said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis in a press release. "It is now up to Odell to continue to meet all NFL guidelines, and to maintain a standard of personal responsibility that will allow him the chance to compete for a spot on our team."

But Thurman, who turns 25 two weeks before training camp opens, hasn't played in a game since 2005 when he emerged as a leading Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate. He had a team-high 148 tackles and four forced fumbles to go with five interceptions that led all NFL rookies.

And it doesn't sound like Lewis is going to put him anywhere near the top of the depth chart any time soon. He has consistently said the club can't count on Thurman, so look for him to start the journey back near the bottom.


:tiger:

[HearUsRoar]

Beautifully said SS, as usual. Odell will be in my thoughs and prayers.

[dust]

Thanks guys.
Im glad we all can see the bigger picture here.
Maybe what happened to Henry is a blessing in disguise for Odell. Hopefully he learns from that.
With all that has been stacked against him, I can see him coming back determined to overcome it all and prove the naysayers wrong.
Wishful thinking, yes.
But like wilson said, He needs this team, even more than we need him.

Just to add to it.


:tiger:

great posts SS, there is so much more than football at stake here when talking about odell. i hope he comes builds on his rookie season, and if he becomes a big star in the league like most believe he can, this could be one of the best comeback stories of all time. good luck odell! we are all behind you!

[Bengals73]

Check out my new Sig Dedicated to the old/new bad *** linebacker

[eoxyod]

Check out my new Sig Dedicated to the old/new bad *** linebacker

That was my old one...

Take it
It is still in my new sig:thumbsup:

[Bengals73]

That was my old one...

Take it
It is still in my new sig:thumbsup:

Show it.. I created it on my own .. I liked the black and white/color deal - Maybe i got the idea from you and didn't remember i did.. haha

[warsteiner138]

When it comes down to it really; it is solely on Odell Thurman.

Substance abusers can only change when they themselves do it.

I think Odell will do it.

[SouthernStripes]

When it comes down to it really; it is solely on Odell Thurman.

Substance abusers can only change when they themselves do it.

I think Odell will do it.


Lets hope so. :thumbsup:


I will be praying for him and his grandmother.


I know we all will be thinking of nicknames for Odell.

Being Georgia born myself , I personally like this one. B)

http://st24.startlogic.com/~thedawgp/covers/0204.jpg

[cinc4ever1]

Lets hope so. :thumbsup:


I will be praying for him and his grandmother.


I know we all will be thinking of nicknames for Odell.

Being Georgia born myself , I personally like this one. B)

http://st24.startlogic.com/~thedawgp/covers/0204.jpg


Love the pic and the name.

I do feel bad for the guy,and pray he can stay clean but hearing about what he has been through and what he is going through now is sad to hear.Maybe some of the things going on with him will make him wake up.

[Brick]

This gives Odell more incentive to stay clean and be a productive member of the community on and off the field. I'm sure his grandmother's wish is to see her grandson be successful and sincere, and i hope this pushes him to get over his past and move towards the future.

I truly sympathize with him. Both of my parents died in a car accident when i was 12 and my grandmother raised me. She passed away last year (i'm 21 now) and it was rough on me. I had substance abuse problems during my teenage years and finally matured enough, and she helped me get through those times. She helped me become the person I am today, and i'm thankful for that. Now being in college, i feel the death of my grandmother has inspired me to better myself.

With that said, I pray for Odell and his grandmother. I hope he betters himself, and i think it will.

[jamiethelanky]

I wish all the best for O'dell's grandmother. It's really hard for it to come at a time where he should be celebrating...

[DennyG2]

I wish him and his family the best of wishes in these difficult times:(

[Slappy from New Haven]

Thanks guys.
Im glad we all can see the bigger picture here.
Maybe what happened to Henry is a blessing in disguise for Odell. Hopefully he learns from that.
With all that has been stacked against him, I can see him coming back determined to overcome it all and prove the naysayers wrong.
Wishful thinking, yes.
But like wilson said, He needs this team, even more than we need him.

Just to add to it.


:tiger:

The bigger picture is this in my mind.

It has taken him two years to fully come to grips with dealing with a life long addiction. His long road in life carrying that burden has just reached the first crossroads.

He faces an early test. His primary caregiver as a youth is going to pass and the sorrow and pain will be great. It will be a true test of how far he has come to stay sober through a trying time.

With no specific slant toward football...Odell I am truly sorry with your situation an share your loss. We hope you find the consolation you need in family faith and healing...not the things that have held you down.

Peace, Odell