TORONTO -- Throughout his football career Swayze Waters never thought much about the significance of a jersey number.
New York Giants Jerseys . He was issued No. 94 as a freshman at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, then various other numbers by the five pro teams he auditioned for, including the No. 30 he has worn since 2012 as a punter/kicker with the Toronto Argonauts. His latest number will mean much more. Waters will don No. 34 this season in honour of his best friend, Tait Hendrix. Hendrix, 27, died recently in a motorcycle accident. Waters, also 27, took three days away from Torontos training camp to be family and friends as they paid their final respects to Hendrix. Upon returning to the Argos, Waters decided to wear Hendrixs No. 34 and dedicate the season to his memory. "For me, Ive never had a reason to put significance in a number until now," Waters said following Mondays practice. "That was Taits number . . . hes the guy I grew up playing any kind of sport you could think of with. "Its just my way of honouring him, the life he lived, all the things he taught me and the times we had." At the request of the Hendrix family, Waters spoke at the funeral. Waters also wrote about Hendrix on his website (
www.swayzewaters.com). "First off, I just communicated to everyone there I was suffering with them," Waters said. "Then I talked about some of the good memories I had, not specifically stories of me and Tait personally but just the kind of guy he was, his smile, his laugh, his character. "He was just one of those guys you couldnt be around and not have a good time and not smile. He had this work ethic and mindset to get better every day . . . so I left everyone with that challenge: No matter what you do, get better at everything you do every day, keep alive that little piece of Tait thats in all of us. Thats how we can honour him as we go forward without him. It will never be the same, its going to be way different but as we move forward be the best we can every day." Trouble was, No. 34 in Toronto belonged to rookie defensive back Eric Black. However, its the number the Argos issued Black and it held no significance to him so when approached by Waters, Black willingly gave it up. Waters said hell forever be indebted to the Argos and his teammates for their support. "It was anything but a vacation," Waters said. "But Im very thankful to the Argonauts for allowing me that opportunity to go home and be a part of that and just be with the family. "I know in this business not a lot of teams wouldve done that but its family around here and I really appreciate what everyone did for me." Waters said the three days he spent at home were invaluable to him. "It was huge," he said. "I think that was the biggest thing I could do, just be there. "There was a lot of laughing and a lot of crying. I got home and hugged my wife. We cried it out then went over to his house. Not a lot of words needed to be said. For me, that was a big part of it. Weve got to go on and things are going to be different but this is just one thing I wanted to do to honour my best friend." Waters said Hendrixs death is a sobering reminder of just how precious life is. "When you go through something like this it just puts everything in perspective," he said. "Youre reminded how short life is and that football is just a game." Its a perspective the Argos third-year kicker plans to lean on heavily this season. "Dont get me wrong I love football, its my job and Im always going to work as hard as I can to be the best I can to help my team," Waters said. "But football is not life. "Theres already enough pressure in professional sports. Youre playing in front of one million people on TV and 30,000 to 40,000 people in the stands. Youve got your job, your house payments, all that kind of stuff on the line. Theres no need to add any more pressure and this is one of those things that reminds me this is just a game. "Im going to go out there and do the best I can and the rest will take care of itself. Im just going to mainly take the kind of guy Tait was, work hard and get better at everything every day, into the season. Every day I put No. 34 on will remind me of that."
Saquon Barkley Giants Jersey . He was attracted by the punishing defence, the strong running game and a coaching staff he trusted. The 49ers announced Thursday that Manningham had signed a two-year deal to join the team he helped knock out in the NFC championship game two months ago in their latest offensive upgrade at wide receiver.
Saquon Barkley Jersey . -- Once again, Carlos Santana was a huge hit in Kansas City.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- After getting permission from his 7-year-old daughter, New York Giants offensive lineman David Diehl has retired after an 11-year career that included two Super Bowl championships. The fifth-round draft pick became a cornerstone of tough offensive lines. Diehl missed only 12 games in his career, starting at every position on the line but centre. Addison Diehl accompanied him to the training centre Friday and told team president John Mara that she had "allowed" her dad to retire. "Its not very easy for my daughter to talk about me retiring and not playing football," Diehl said. "The Giants are just as much family to her as they are to me. Shes been going to the games and at 7 years old, she understands everything. She understands the game and the players and how important it is to play in the NFL. "For her, my stepping away from something she loves as much as I do is not an easy thing." Diehl was selected to the 2009 Pro Bowl. Diehl was the only Giants player whose arrival predated coach Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning. With his retirement, the longest-tenured Giants are guard Chris Snee and Manning. "When I think of David Diehl what comes to mind is his indomitable spirit," Coughlin said. "He got the most out of his God-given ability and thats the best way that you can judge any individuall.
Kyle Lauletta Giants Jersey. " Diehl started the first 120 regular-season games and seven post-season games in his career, the longest such streak by a Giant since the introduction of the 16-game schedule in 1978. The streak ended on Nov. 14, 2010 against Dallas because of hip and hamstring injuries. He ends his career with 164 regular-season games played, tying Phil Simms for 12th on the franchises all-time list. "I love football," he said. "I love being in the game, I love watching film, I love doing all of that and Im going to miss that aspect of it. But I know Im ready to start the new and next chapter of my life. Im ready to not only be a bigger part of my daughters life, but Im ready to spread my knowledge and help other people with the game and continue to do stuff throughout our community and charity work and be involved with the New York Giants in any way possible." In the regular season, Diehl started 65 games at left tackle, 42 at left guard, 26 at right tackle and 27 at right guard. In the post-season, Diehl has 10 starts at left tackle and one at left guard. "He took the talent that he had and he used it to the extreme, to the utmost of his ability," Coughlin said. "What more can you ask of the guy? And he gave great effort. He always gave great effort, there was no doubt about that. You knew exactly what you were getting."
China NFL Gear Youth NFL Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale NFL White Jerseys Cheap NFL Hoodies Stitched Jerseys China Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NFL Womens Jerseys ' ' '