Where are they now - Paul Rotenberry

Here we are worrying about what 18 year old kids are going to decide and which school they will attend. Just to bring us all back into the land of reality, read this story - link here.

One of our own, battling the difficulties of Alzheimer's. My grandmother has the same disease and it is just heart-breaking. I have co-workers with relatives with Alzheimer's. Everyday having to re-introduce yourself because your spouse does not know exactly who you are. I tell you, it seems more painful for the close family than the afflicted person.

"He may not be my husband now, but he is my baby," she said. "And I care for him like a baby."

She ties his shoes. Shaves him. Points out the beauty of sunrises while he stares blankly at the horizon.

"I'm not sure if he knows who I am, but he knows that I am someone from his past," said Rotenberry while watching Paul gaze out of a window. "There is a special bond between us."

This was written about Paul's football days at GT:

On the wall of his room is a giant copy of 1979 newspaper article taken from the former Roanoke Times & World-News that chronicles his glory years at Georgia Tech. He was inducted into the school's hall of fame in 1962.

"He was everything you'd want in a back," the legendary Bobby Dodd, Rotenberry's former football coach at Georgia Tech, told the paper then. "He could run, block, tackle, catch punts and passes, and play defense. He was the best blocker we ever had here."

But Paul Rotenberry can't recall what Dodd said. He doesn't remember that as a freshman he helped the Yellow Jackets whip West Virginia 42-19 in the Sugar Bowl. He was part of four straight bowl victories. In his sophomore year, he made a touchdown against Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl, helping Georgia Tech win 14-7. He played in the Sugar Bowl again in his junior year and finally in the Gator Bowl.

So I hope for us AND for 18 year old recruits considering which school they attend, that we all remember that sports is but a "passing" fancy. Games will come and go, and you may be one of the lucky few who leaves a legacy and is remembered by others through the ages. But most likely you will not, other than those closest to you. So keep your family strong, keep your faith strong and keep things in perspective. Have some fun along the way and when it is all gone, be satisfied that you gave it your best..... because we are not guaranteed tomorrow and we are not even guaranteed to remember yesterday. If only we could ask Paul Rotenberry.