A photo caption on the front page of the April 23 Sports section incorrectly identified the subject as Vernon Davis. The person in the photo was D'Qwell Jackson. Vernon Davis, a tight end for the University of Maryland, is depicted here.
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In the Name of the Grandmother
On his grandmother's birthday two years ago, Vernon Davis did what only a college freshman would do. He had her name tattooed to the inside of his left arm.
(Toni L. Sandys - The Post)
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The interpretation: Peace is coming but it won't be easy.
"I think Vernon is a very spiritual person," Levin said.
Adaline never wanted to be rich, even though her grandson is about to become wealthier than they could have imagined. She never understood how people could horde money, stashing it away and not sharing it with those in need. If she had money she'd just be giving it away. She worries about people who are homeless or have just come out of jail with no place to go, no way to make a living. What happens to them?
And maybe this is her one last lesson for Vernon. She hopes he will set up a foundation to help people, much in the way she helped him when he was a child. She figures he probably will. Vernon was never one to leave people behind.
Already he's making commercials. It seems with his smile he is a natural for selling things. Under Armour, the apparel manufacturer, has hired him to be a spokesman for its new line of gear. So has EAS, a supplement company.
It seems all those lost days running the bleachers at Dunbar and catching passes thrown by his little brother have finally paid off. He stunned everybody at the NFL combine in February by running the 40-yard-dash in 4.3 seconds and dominated every weightlifting and running statistic for tight ends. Several coaches in the highly secretive world of draft preparation nonetheless have said off the record that it was the most impressive showing they had ever seen from any player ever at the combine.
And the teams, charmed by Vernon, have been moving him up their draft lists.
A couple of weeks ago, the phone rang at the house on Emerson Street. Adaline picked it up and heard Vernon crying on the other end.
Her heart dropped.
"What's wrong?" she shouted.
Through his tears, Vernon said the NFL had called. They were inviting him to New York for the draft -- an honor bestowed upon only the most elite prospects. It was the affirmation that everything he had done, all the extra work, had finally paid off.
"Why didn't you tell me when you first called, then I could have cried with you," Adaline said.
Then together they did.
The football player and the grandmother who lives forever on his arm.
