Twin Lessons from Canton, Ohio

Canton, Ohio is the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. As such, it hosts the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

This year’s inductions took place on August 2nd and the Class of 2025 included defensive back Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen, tight end Antonio Gates, and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. Famed ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman served as the master of ceremonies.

Before Berman introduced the first inductee, he honored one of the Hall’s other members who was sitting in the audience. Longtime Buffalo Bills head coach Marv Levy, looking as spry and spiffy as ever, was there to honor the new inductees the day before his 100th birthday.

Levy has lived quite a life. The day after he graduated from South Shore High School in Chicago in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces. After completing his basic training, Levy was assigned to the Apalachicola Army Air Field in Franklin County, Florida, but the war ended before his unit could be deployed to the Pacific.

After the war, Levy attended the University of Wyoming and Coe College, playing football for both schools as well as basketball and track for Coe, before earning a Master of Arts degree in English history from Harvard. From there, Levy began a long and illustrious coaching career that included stints at Coe, the University of New Mexico, the University of California at Berkley, and William and Mary before advancing to the pro ranks with the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Redskins, Montreal Alouettes, Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Blitz, and Buffalo Bills.

It was with the Bills that Levy left an indelible mark, leading his team to a record four consecutive AFC championships, 1990-1993. Unfortunately for Marv and the Bills, they lost all four Super Bowls they played in, the first one being a one-point heartbreaker.

Asked about the importance of winning the Super Bowl, Levy famously replied, “This is not a must-win; World War II was a must-win." You talk about having the right perspective!

Another person on the platform that day in Canton spoke about the things that mattered the most and how football was not #1 in his life. Here are a few excerpts from Jared Allen’s induction speech…

Speaking directly to his wife, Amy, Allen said, “I’m reminded of what [Vikings chaplain] Tom Lamphere said when we were going through our premarital counseling. He said the two most important decisions you’ll make in life is one, whether you follow Jesus or not, and two is who you marry. There’s only two types of people. There’s boat anchors who drag you down, and there’s people who elevate you, and you are a true game elevator.”

Apparently, Allen puts Jesus first, his wife second, and – from what he said next – his children third. How incredibly biblical!

Addressing his two daughters, Allen had this to say…

“When I get called home to Heaven one day, if all they talk about is this gold jacket and my career, then I failed miserably as a father, a husband and a friend. You two are my legacy. You are both so talented, and I cannot wait to see what you decide to do to conquer this world. So always put Christ first, find your ‘why,’ dream big dreams and always pursue greatness in whatever you do.”

I don’t know about you, but I got goosebumps as I typed those words… and I trust you got a few yourself as you read them.

Thanks for the invaluable life lessons, Marv and Jared!