It would not be a big stretch to say that Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer Gilbert Brown is a hero to millions of people. Of course, the tens of millions of Packers fans around the globe remember him for his feats on the field. Today, nearly two decades after his retirement, thousands of children call him “hero” for the difference that he makes in their lives.
On this week’s “Under the Helmet with the Gravedigger” segment of The Earl Ingram Show, Gilbert revealed who his hero is: Caden Dahl, one of the kids that also calls him a hero.
Gilbert Brown’s Hero Is Caden Dahl, an Inspiring 17-Year Old Future Lawyer
Nearly two weeks ago, I wrote the story of the incredible Caden Dahl, a 17-year old boy who was born without a right arm and a short left arm (with two fingers at the end). The Gilbert Brown Foundation has been involved with Caden and his family since he was an infant.
Watching Caden continue to overcome every obstacle life has thrown his way made Gilbert admire the young man. On The Earl Ingram Show, Gilbert detailed why Caden is his hero and the lessons Caden can teach all of us:
“It’s tough, Earl. We [complain] about everyday process and everyday doing something. You know what I’m saying? And this cat, he goes, he’s like one of my heroes, man. His determination, I put him above some of the top football players.
“His mental toughness is everything. He has a disability in life, and it can’t be fixed, and still does what he has to do. This cat, man, he’s learning how to drive with his disability. He’s playing football with his disability.
“He wants to be a normal cat, but he can’t. He has to have a surgery every few months because this rod in his back as to be extended as he grows.
“Tell me about someone that is [complaining] about this, that or the other with two arms and two legs! This kid, man, is my hero. I’m not his hero. He’s my hero.”
As I detailed in my story, Caden got a job for a law firm in his hometown because he plans on attending an Ivy League school to study law. The problem was that he had to walk to work because he could not afford a car.
Well, when Gilbert heard that, let’s just say he was having none of it! The Gilbert Brown Foundation, along with several other generous organizations, gifted Caden a car.
In addition to overcoming his own adversities, Caden works with the Gilbert Brown Foundation to give back to and help other children with disabilities. Gilbert details in his interview with Earl how Caden gives up his Fridays and Saturdays at times to help the Foundation teach disabled children how to ride bikes.
Gilbert Brown Reveals What the Best Thing About His Former Green Bay Packers Teammates Is
Not many people may realize this, but Gilbert Brown still lives in Detroit, Michigan. This man spends so many days of the year on the road, driving between Michigan and Wisconsin just to do events for kids.
And he is not the only former Packers player that does this, either, though he may do it more often than most. As Gilbert told Earl, all he has to do is pick up the phone and call a former teammate, and they’ll come running to do an event with him:
“At the end of the day, what’s so great about my teammates is that if I pick up the phone and ask them to come help, they come running.
“It’s at the point that, for us, some people might say, ‘Oh man, we got some work to do.’ But then again, we miss that comradery in the locker room. And this is why the guys are coming. Because we miss each other.
“And in order for us to see each other, we doing good for someone else. That’s what the Green Bay Packers are all about.”
On July 15, Gilbert and several of his former teammates will be taking on Chicago sports legends Mike Singletary and Andre Dawson in a charity softball game to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of America. For more information on which Packers greats will be in attendance, and for ticket information, click here.
Now, I don’t like to give readers all of Gilbert’s great quotes from his shows with Earl because I hope that you’re intrigued enough by them to give their show a full listen. And this week’s is one that you definitely should, because you can find out more about all the great things that The Gilbert Brown Foundation does for children all over the state of Wisconsin.
It is also worthy of a listen because Gilbert explains the absolute joy in Hall of Famer Jerry Kramer’s eyes whenever he sees former teammate Dave Robinson. It’s a story with an explanation that is hard to put into print.
For those unfamiliar, The Gilbert Brown Foundation works with over 150 children’s charities throughout the state of Wisconsin. The man just can’t say “no” to a child in need. If you are able and willing, please consider donating to his foundation here.
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