There are two Adams who are involved with the Plunge who mean the world both to Special Olympics Maryland, and to me.
The first is Adam Terry, Offensive Tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. He is a giant of a man at 6’8”, and an amazing asset to this year’s squad. He wears #78 and is part of the offensive line that is receiving rave reviews for securing the team’s playoff spot.
But it’s what this Adam does off the field that has endeared him to us. He has adopted Special Olympics Maryland as his charity of choice, literally jumping in with both feet in advocating for our athletes. His heart is as big as his frame, and for every ounce of toughness that comes out on the field, he has equal parts kindness for Special Olympics Maryland athletes.
In my career, I have been blessed with many opportunities to associate Special Olympics with professional athletes. We still point with pride to our relationship with #99 Michael McCrary. We were lucky to build a partnership and a friendship with a man of such caliber, but I can honestly say I thought it was a “once in a career” opportunity – I had my “Michael McCrary”! So imagine our surprise when we are blessed with another “Michael McCrary” in Adam Terry. Every bit as genuine and sincere in his passion for the athletes of Special Olympics Maryland, Adam is our second “once in a career” opportunity to continue making a difference.
We cherish our relationship with The Baltimore Ravens and we are forever grateful to two members of the Ravens PR team – Kevin Byrne and Marisol Renner – for introducing us to Adam. They instinctively knew he would be a great fit with Special Olympics Maryland, and they were absolutely right. (We also send a shout-out to Kevin’s awesome blog, “The Byrne Identity” – fun, insightful and a must-read!)
One of the things that we love about Adam is that he is willing to do whatever we ask him to. We really hadn’t known each other all that long and certainly didn’t know each other well when we first talked about the Super Plunge. He knew about the Plunge, but not about the 24-hour event that has become so popular over the last couple of years. And that conversation basically went like this: Me: “Adam – I know you have never even been to the Plunge and all of this is new to you, but it would be really great if you could be a part of the Super Plunge. You have to Plunge once every hour over a 24-hour period and help raise $10,000. Are you in?” Adam’s response was a smiling, “Hey, whatever you need man.” So Plunge he did, all 24 times. He smiled that big broad smile from beginning to end and even made it a family affair, bringing his then-fiance (now wife!) Marissa, his parents, his brother, and even a friend of his from New York – a young lady with an intellectual disability who was in his mother’s classroom and he developed a friendship with – to cheer him on and keep him company during the 24-hour event.
Someone like Adam Terry could easily “phone it in” when it came to supporting Special Olympics Maryland. But he know that by actually doing the Plunge, or by actually attending Summer Games, his impact is that much greater than if he simply wrote a check and wished us well. In fact, in the midst of one of the greatest Ravens seasons ever, he has taken time out to confirm his commitment to the Plunge, and talk shop with me.
Adam has lately been highly praised during NFL games for his passion, his drive and his burgeoning leadership of a young offensive line. And while Ravens fans everywhere are feeling lucky to have this mountain of a man on their team, there is another team – Special Olympics Maryland – that is feeling equally lucky to have his heart.
Adam Hays
The second Adam is another gentle giant – a man who is kind, considerate, humble to a fault, and anxious to learn something new each and every day. His name is Adam Hays, and among the many other things that define him is the fact that he is a Special Olympics Maryland athlete.
Adam walked into my life – with his size 14 feet! – about 10 years ago and I can say unequivocally that I am a better man for knowing him. As a life-long athlete I have great admiration and respect for the Adam Terrys of the world and the hard work that got them to where they are – but I have more profound admiration for what Adam Hays has accomplished than I do any other human being.
Where Adam Terry was blessed with strength and agility, Adam Hays struggles daily against his own body. In his 20+ years, he has endured more than 30 surgeries on his brain, suffered from seizures and debilitating pain, and has had to adapt to a body that is stronger on one side than it is on the other. Yet he is uncomplaining, choosing instead to be grateful for the things he can do, and the challenges he’d like to meet. (It doesn’t hurt his feeling his either that the only doctor he has ever has is none other than Dr. Ben Carson!)
I don’t know this for a fact, but one can only assume that along the way, Adam Terry had a coach or a mentor who supported his dream of playing in the NFL. Without that person, or those persons, he probably wouldn’t be where he is today. I have no qualms saying that the Special Olympics Maryland family has done the same for Adam Hays, allowing him to believe in the possibilities that exist and allowing him to grow as a man in a safe, protective and nurturing environment. I have joyfully watched his transformation and feel lucky to be a part of an organization that allows a man as good as Adam Hays to blossom and spread his own wings.
Adam is my friend, and a frequent visitor to my home. I enjoy his company and have developed a big brother/little brother relationship with him. That includes all the ribbing and teasing you would expect from a good guy friend. Having this kind of friendship is a privilege, and as a result of it I have been able to talk openly with Adam about what it’s like to live with a disability, and to be called “retarded”. In fact, Adam was involved in one of the greatest media moments SOMD has ever had – a moment when Mickey Cucchiella turned to him while we were live on the Mickey & Amelia show on 98 Rock and asked him, “Adam, how does it make you feel when someone calls you a ‘retard’?” What followed was the greatest few minutes of radio I have ever been involved in. I don’t think any of us has ever been the same since.
This year, both Adams are Super Plungers (unless of course AT is on his way to Tampa). This is noteworthy because while Adam Terry jumped on board immediately, Adam Hays has slowly come to the realization that he is capable of conquering this super-sized event. In a way, he has challenged a personal perception of his own weaknesses and I am thrilled to say that he has come to the conclusion that his disability needn’t stop him from participating in this just like Adam Terry does.
Toughness can mean many things, and in those shades of meaning it applies equally to both Adam Terry and Adam Hays. For Adam Terry, tough is facing off against some of the toughest defensive linemen in the league and coming out victorious. For Adam Hays, it’s waking up every morning with a smile on his face and a positive attitude, despite the hurdles he has to overcome.
The first is Adam Terry, Offensive Tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. He is a giant of a man at 6’8”, and an amazing asset to this year’s squad. He wears #78 and is part of the offensive line that is receiving rave reviews for securing the team’s playoff spot.
But it’s what this Adam does off the field that has endeared him to us. He has adopted Special Olympics Maryland as his charity of choice, literally jumping in with both feet in advocating for our athletes. His heart is as big as his frame, and for every ounce of toughness that comes out on the field, he has equal parts kindness for Special Olympics Maryland athletes.
In my career, I have been blessed with many opportunities to associate Special Olympics with professional athletes. We still point with pride to our relationship with #99 Michael McCrary. We were lucky to build a partnership and a friendship with a man of such caliber, but I can honestly say I thought it was a “once in a career” opportunity – I had my “Michael McCrary”! So imagine our surprise when we are blessed with another “Michael McCrary” in Adam Terry. Every bit as genuine and sincere in his passion for the athletes of Special Olympics Maryland, Adam is our second “once in a career” opportunity to continue making a difference.
We cherish our relationship with The Baltimore Ravens and we are forever grateful to two members of the Ravens PR team – Kevin Byrne and Marisol Renner – for introducing us to Adam. They instinctively knew he would be a great fit with Special Olympics Maryland, and they were absolutely right. (We also send a shout-out to Kevin’s awesome blog, “The Byrne Identity” – fun, insightful and a must-read!)
One of the things that we love about Adam is that he is willing to do whatever we ask him to. We really hadn’t known each other all that long and certainly didn’t know each other well when we first talked about the Super Plunge. He knew about the Plunge, but not about the 24-hour event that has become so popular over the last couple of years. And that conversation basically went like this: Me: “Adam – I know you have never even been to the Plunge and all of this is new to you, but it would be really great if you could be a part of the Super Plunge. You have to Plunge once every hour over a 24-hour period and help raise $10,000. Are you in?” Adam’s response was a smiling, “Hey, whatever you need man.” So Plunge he did, all 24 times. He smiled that big broad smile from beginning to end and even made it a family affair, bringing his then-fiance (now wife!) Marissa, his parents, his brother, and even a friend of his from New York – a young lady with an intellectual disability who was in his mother’s classroom and he developed a friendship with – to cheer him on and keep him company during the 24-hour event.
Someone like Adam Terry could easily “phone it in” when it came to supporting Special Olympics Maryland. But he know that by actually doing the Plunge, or by actually attending Summer Games, his impact is that much greater than if he simply wrote a check and wished us well. In fact, in the midst of one of the greatest Ravens seasons ever, he has taken time out to confirm his commitment to the Plunge, and talk shop with me.
Adam has lately been highly praised during NFL games for his passion, his drive and his burgeoning leadership of a young offensive line. And while Ravens fans everywhere are feeling lucky to have this mountain of a man on their team, there is another team – Special Olympics Maryland – that is feeling equally lucky to have his heart.
Adam Hays
The second Adam is another gentle giant – a man who is kind, considerate, humble to a fault, and anxious to learn something new each and every day. His name is Adam Hays, and among the many other things that define him is the fact that he is a Special Olympics Maryland athlete.
Adam walked into my life – with his size 14 feet! – about 10 years ago and I can say unequivocally that I am a better man for knowing him. As a life-long athlete I have great admiration and respect for the Adam Terrys of the world and the hard work that got them to where they are – but I have more profound admiration for what Adam Hays has accomplished than I do any other human being.
Where Adam Terry was blessed with strength and agility, Adam Hays struggles daily against his own body. In his 20+ years, he has endured more than 30 surgeries on his brain, suffered from seizures and debilitating pain, and has had to adapt to a body that is stronger on one side than it is on the other. Yet he is uncomplaining, choosing instead to be grateful for the things he can do, and the challenges he’d like to meet. (It doesn’t hurt his feeling his either that the only doctor he has ever has is none other than Dr. Ben Carson!)
I don’t know this for a fact, but one can only assume that along the way, Adam Terry had a coach or a mentor who supported his dream of playing in the NFL. Without that person, or those persons, he probably wouldn’t be where he is today. I have no qualms saying that the Special Olympics Maryland family has done the same for Adam Hays, allowing him to believe in the possibilities that exist and allowing him to grow as a man in a safe, protective and nurturing environment. I have joyfully watched his transformation and feel lucky to be a part of an organization that allows a man as good as Adam Hays to blossom and spread his own wings.
Adam is my friend, and a frequent visitor to my home. I enjoy his company and have developed a big brother/little brother relationship with him. That includes all the ribbing and teasing you would expect from a good guy friend. Having this kind of friendship is a privilege, and as a result of it I have been able to talk openly with Adam about what it’s like to live with a disability, and to be called “retarded”. In fact, Adam was involved in one of the greatest media moments SOMD has ever had – a moment when Mickey Cucchiella turned to him while we were live on the Mickey & Amelia show on 98 Rock and asked him, “Adam, how does it make you feel when someone calls you a ‘retard’?” What followed was the greatest few minutes of radio I have ever been involved in. I don’t think any of us has ever been the same since.
This year, both Adams are Super Plungers (unless of course AT is on his way to Tampa). This is noteworthy because while Adam Terry jumped on board immediately, Adam Hays has slowly come to the realization that he is capable of conquering this super-sized event. In a way, he has challenged a personal perception of his own weaknesses and I am thrilled to say that he has come to the conclusion that his disability needn’t stop him from participating in this just like Adam Terry does.
Toughness can mean many things, and in those shades of meaning it applies equally to both Adam Terry and Adam Hays. For Adam Terry, tough is facing off against some of the toughest defensive linemen in the league and coming out victorious. For Adam Hays, it’s waking up every morning with a smile on his face and a positive attitude, despite the hurdles he has to overcome.
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