Pep Talk: "Find Your Niche And March!"

As the assembly of peaceful and prayerful humanity snaked through northeast Denver, my simple mind wandered to an earlier moment that spoke to the power of unity.

The cranium-crashing moment was from a few days before. The tenth "Buffs 4 Life" golf tournament. As a sportscaster, I covered University of Colorado athletics for almost 20 years. There are many cherished memories of hosting coaches' television shows, traveling on the team plane and developing relationships that will last until this aging jock croaks.

Especially from the Buffs' football program. It has certainly fallen on challenging times, but for a stretch, especially from 1988 through 2001, CU was a national power. The players, coaches and staff from that era have remained valued friends.  Events like a golf tournament bring us together and ooze with the truth of what's possible when personal egos and agendas are set aside and everybody rallies behind a common cause. In the case of Buffs 4 Life, that's caring for members of the Buffs' athletic family who have experienced adversity.

Devoted to a cause beyond ourselves. That thought pulsed through my veins as 225 people of all colors, addresses and beliefs strolled through northeast Denver for the first of five prayer walks encouraging a lessening of gun violence that plagues our city and nation.

Back in 1989, the Colorado Buffaloes' football team powerfully demonstrated the power of unity. Inspired by the tragic cancer-induced death of starting quarterback Sal Aunese, a talented, but young, squad of Buffs had a magical season. Under the direction of Hall of Fame coach Bill McCartney, CU won every regular season game, rose to number one in the polls before losing, in disappointing fashion, the national championship battle to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.

"One Heart Beat" was the team's motto. It produced fantastic results. As I ran ahead of the crowd walking through Park Hill in an effort to get a picture capturing the moment, the hopes of a simple dude from Missouri were that we can replicate a similar spirit in stopping the senseless gun violence.

It will not be easy. We have to give kids alternatives to gangs and their violent tendencies. It's one goal of Victory's A Stronger Cord wellness movement. We're trying to build dynamic sports programs in gang-infested parts of Denver. Kids need another team to play for. We need coaches. These kids need positive male and female role models. You?

Sports and fitness, in addition to being excellent stress reducers, are wonderful connectors and equalizers. Folks, this ain't rocket science, but it takes a united effort. Whether we're talking about becoming superior to our former selves in reducing gun violence, providing quality education, running a successful business or whatever, unity and a common sense of purpose are critical to prevail against what ails.

One heart beat. Yoked. Willing to charge from the foxhole together. Call it what you want. Look around this week to see where your time, talents and treasures can help.

Find your niche and march!