On Sunday, the deadliest tornado in the past 60 years hit Joplin, Mo. — the place Rod Smith went to school, the city where his son was born and his daughter graduated high school.
It’s a community that Smith said embraced him and helped him grow up from the 18-year-old “young punk” that he arrived as.
So it’s with sadness in his voice that he talks about some of the destruction the city has experienced.
“The high school graduation was Sunday, and the high school got destroyed the same day,” Smith said. “The school is gone. It’s just crazy to think how fast somebody’s life can really change.”
He has tried to get as many updates as he can over the past few days, and just before talking on a quick visit to Dove Valley, he received some good news.
“I just got an update about seven people that were found in the rubble of Home Depot, which was destroyed, but the people were alive,” he said. “They’ve got dogs on the ground, they’ve got a ton of people on the ground just looking through the rubble.
“The sad part is there’s another tornado expected to hit that area tonight,” he continued. “So it’s really a tough deal because they haven’t even started cleanup because they’re waiting on this other storm to finish up.”
Smith said he hasn’t looked at many photos or watched videos of the destruction, because he would rather remember Joplin during the good times.
“When stuff like that happens, the last thing you think to grab is a photo album, but that’s the only thing you should grab,” he said. “The rest of that stuff can be replaced, but the moments you froze in time you can’t get back. That’s why I haven’t looked at a lot of pictures of the city, because I remember what it looked like the last time I was there just a couple months ago. I want to keep that image in my head. As they rebuild it, it’ll just make it better and enhance my pictures instead of going back and saying, ‘This looks terrible.’ I just look forward to six or eight months from now when things are rocking and rolling and everything’s back to normal.”
And he has no doubt that the “blue-collar” people of the city will pick themselves up as soon as possible.
“The people who are there, we’re going to mourn, but at the same time we’re going to redo it,” Smith said. “We’re going to rebuild it and it’s going to be better the next time, it’s going to be stronger the next time and the people will come together and grow.”
Smith hopes to help by loading two semi trucks with supplies, and has even had an offer from Footprints in the Sky, a Denver-based non-profit, to load a plane with supplies to deliver.
He said the best way to help now is to visit Missouri Southern Foundation or call 417-625-9396. You can also visit the Red Cross and make a donation to Joplin.
Tags: Joplin Missouri, Rod Smith
Heart breaking.
That was another yesterday’s story on the DP. Better late than never, the organization’s motto, it all started with McD and now we can’t seem to shake it. But yes talked about Joplin here the other day and said many things about it. Tornado of unbelievable magnitude, these folks have nothing left. Very depressing times all around obviously.
Oklahoma just got hit by a tornado just about an hour or two ago. This aint over yet, sad to say.
very heart wrenching to see this kind of devastation,especially right on the heels of the tornadoes that killed many people in Alabama,Tennessee,Georgia,and Mississippi,I feel very saddened by these events,my heart is heavy.I feel for the people and the families of this tragic and horrific series of destruction.
BFE
Hi BFE, what you up to my Bronco friend? These are sad times brother and I know this hits home with you being in Tennessee. This is a time to pray, reach out, give and help to heal in this devastating time. My heart hurts for Rod and the community of Joplin Mo. Joplin is his second home. Whatever it takes. I`m in Colorado Springs but it hurts because this is happening in our beloved USA. When something devastating like this happens, I`m asking myself and to God, Why?
Just wanted to say hey to you bro.
Two things …
Does KOA-TV still exist? … when I lived there, they did all the Broncos games … I know KOA radio still handles them, because I can pick it up at dusk (sometimes) after games …
And – if you REALLY want to get depressed, pick up a new book titled “One Second After” … it’s about what happens after some terrorists detonate a nuclear devise at altitude over Kansas … the EMP from the blast zaps most things w/ electronics, meaning all computers … planes fall from the sky, post-80s cars stop dead in their tracks, and all power is cut off … it takes a while, but things really go to hell … at least we wouldn’t have to worry about problems-Broncos …
Its times like this i remember how unstable this planet is. It unfathomable for me to picture myself in the situation many in joplin were in; alive and dead. Peoples lives never the same, graduating and then going back the same day to see your school in pieces. Guess we can thank God the tornado didn’t hit during the graduation. Prayers go out to the people of Joplin. TRB out..
This reserved specially for the personal pleasure of TRB:
The NFL Network, in its insatiable quest for lists, has come up with The Top 100 Players of 2011.
We know Miami Dolphins and former Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall is ranked No. 61. The NFL Network just sent out a tease saying Brandon Lloyd, who replaced Marshall as the Broncos’ No. 1 receiver in 2010, is ranked somewhere between No. 51-60. Lloyd’s segment will air at 6 p.m. MDT Sunday.
This particular list was the result of an exclusive poll of current NFL players.
LMAO!!!!
It was clearly time to lighten these blogs up!
And Klis concludes:
The NFL Network revealed only one other, yet-to-be-identified Bronco player made its top 100 list. In fact, that other player will be ranked somewhere in the top 50. I’ll take a wild guess and say Champ Bailey is that top Bronco and top 50 player overall.
Who else? That’s an easy guess.
Some good solid news by Klis:
Broncos bosses John Elway-John Fox-Brian Xanders must have been pleased to learn Eddie Royal had joined the team’s players-only conditioning session Monday, 3 1/2 months after the receiver/returner underwent hip surgery.
When Royal’s hip surgery was first announced on Feb. 7, Broncos spokesman Patrick Smyth said the team hoped he would “be ready for OTAs in late-May.” It’s late-May and Royal is ready.
Legwold:
Dumervil figures to be a three-down player who lines up primarily at right defensive end in Fox’s 4-3. With rookie Von Miller expected to line up on the other side, at strongside linebacker, the Broncos could have an impact pass rusher on each edge of their defense.
Now all we have to do on D is find able bodies to plug up the middle, right back where we were last year, other than that on hopes alone we are much improved, haha.
ESPN reports about the league’s efforts to take all contact out of the football and adopt the rules of basketball:
INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL will punish teams next season if their players commit multiple flagrant hits that result in fines.
The punishment will be financial, although league vice president Adolpho Birch said Tuesday he didn’t rule out commissioner Roger Goodell applying further sanctions such as stripping clubs of draft choices.
Citing the “notion of club accountability,” Birch said details such as the amount of the fines against clubs, or how many player fines would trigger punishment, have not been determined.
“As a club’s total increases to a certain threshold, we will enforce some … payback to encourage clubs to stay below that threshold,” Birch said. “We’re looking at a system similar to one we instituted a couple years ago with off-field conduct.”
The NFL began a crackdown on illegal hits, particularly those to defenseless players, last October. It threatened suspensions, but no players had to sit out games. However, Ray Anderson, the league’s chief disciplinarian, has said suspensions will be considered for egregious hits this season.
Now, clubs as well as the players are being put on notice that illegal hits will result in substantial discipline.
To which Harrison has some words of wisdon of course:
“I’m absolutely sure now after this last rule change that the people making the rules at the NFL are idiots.”
Funny how many idiots seem to roam the NFL nowdays, LOL.
In the same meeting the owners were “comprehensively” briefed on the labor situation, NFL lead negotiator Jeff Pash said. Those briefings took up the entire afternoon.
But Pash reiterated that no contingency plans for a shortened season were discussed.
“Our contingency plan, first, last and ongoing,” he said, “is to negotiate an agreement with the players association. So any opening of training camps is based on a collectively bargained agreement.”
Colts owner Jim Irsay said something needs to be in place by July 4 to avoid jeopardizing the regular season. Irsay estimated a $1 billion loss in revenues if that doesn’t happen.
“If you miss those preseason games, or a game or two (of the regular schedule), or start late,” Irsay said, “you have lost significant money, in excess of $1 billion.”
Bottom line is I believe Pash, NO CBA NO TRAINING CAMP. Nothing short of a cba will satisfy the owners now.
Thanks Bay for the news,it went good with my morning coffee.BTW,your info on the Broncos is greatly appreciated my friend,keep up the good work,and keep on Broncing bro!
BFE
Hey strand sorry I didn’t get back to you bro,waiting on my new hard drive for my pc,I hate using my wifes laptop(my hands are too damn big).
But hey anyhow,and Rock on my brother!!!
BFE, I hear ya dude. Orange and Blue forever!!
Flag football anyone?!! Thats where we`re headed!!
We have to have footbal first before we can go to flag football. LOL!
I love watching big hits as much as the next guy, but Harrison has only been grazin’ on one side of the fense. I think he may be singing a different tune if the tables were turned. Basically he doesn’t care if someone lays an illegal hit on Hines Ward then… I know the rules are never going to be perfect but where does the line get drawn? Maybe they’re trying to implement some of these fules for player preservation so they don’t have to offer them so much in guaranteed money?? Just a thought…
Ya flag football, also the woman can play too. LOL. Everybody gets paid the big bucks so all can join in. LOL again.
A little bit of fun. These new rules are getting more rediculious every year. It takes away from the football I (WE) know. Kinda kookee isn`t it.
I would argue that we are letting women play already….there are some prima donnas already in the league. LOL!
Its all good bay, its clear the list is strongly influenced by last season with the exception of a few who are always known to be good no matter thier stats (like champ). Guys like Lloyd and Roddy White, 1 year of productivity are on the list. Heck i believe even Arian Foster is on the list and before last year he was not even known. Hillis is probably on there as well. Same for Cameron Wake in a sense, so the list doesn’t bother me. Greg Jennings was ranked like in the 80s. Most consider Marshall a top 5 WR. Either way, Im happy Brandon Lloyd is on the list, if it wasn’t for him, only bronco we would probably have is Champ on that list because chances are dumervil won’t make it because he was out all last year and this list is based strongly on last year. TRB out….
Now that Hines Ward has completed his gig and is the Star Dancer of the Year, maybe the league and the players can get serious … but I guess being the star that he is, that gig wouldn’t have impinged on his NFL responsibilities …
More devastation in Missouri … I have family in Springfield and Columbia, and so far the heaviest weather has avoided them … boy – nature seems to just roll the dice, and if you’re unlucky – $#&!!#&* …
I’m just happy that Ward didn’t get hurt so that he will be 100% for TC…oh wait that’s right…we’re in a lockout. LOL!!