My grandparents were from Sicily and traveled through Ellis
Island in search of a new American life. They built that life on
hard work, sheer strength and unwavering determination. They
moved to western Pennsylvania working in coalmines and steel
mills in order to put bread on the table- nourishing a special
kind of pride. I take special pride in beating the odds, and in
proving cynics wrong. In San Francisco, when I played
professional football, I had to reach deep within myself to draw
upon strength that had been passed down to me from generations
past. Some people credit me with a decade of football triumph-
however, I was not alone: My triumphs were of my family's. They
were the ones who sacrificed. They were humble. They were the
true champions.