From dodging bullets to dodging tackles by Heather Carroll   What makes great a running back?   “It’s combination of a lot of things,” says Edmonton Eskimo John Avery. “A great running back has to have Walter Payton’s tenacity, Jim Brown’s toughness, Emmitt Smith’s patience, Terrell Davis’ mental aggressiveness and Barry Sanders’ creativity.”   Avery is someone who knows a thing or two about greatness. However, the CFL’s all-star rushing leader failed to mention speed and agility — his two greatest attributes on the field.   If anyone can get fans up off their seat it’s Avery. Eskimos offensive co-ordinator Danny Macioca described him as “Mr. Excitement” in an Edmonton Journal story. “The guy is unbelievably fast, a very gifted athlete,” added linebacker Terry Ray.   Although he’s a small 5’9” and 190 lb., this season sports pundits dubbed Avery the “Titan” of the CFL and “the CFL’s most exciting player.” But most of all, he is an overcomer and a survivor.   This year, for example, Avery beat out experienced CFL running backs Darren Davis and Ronald Williams — both of whom were ultimately released — to become the Eskimo’s main man in the backfield.   Avery has also had to overcome more than his share of injuries, including a broken ankle in high school.   “That was my first setback in the game,” says Avery. “Then I dislocated my elbow in my senior year of college.   Avery says he doesn’t “look at them as negative setbacks anymore.”   “The mentally tough and mentally strong are able to put it behind them and move on,” says Avery.   Avery continued to give football all he had, and it paid off.   In 1998 he was the first round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins, appearing in all 17 regular season games and rushing for 503 yards his first season with the team. The next season he played two games with the Dolphins before being traded to Denver, where he finished out the year. The following training camp he was released by the Broncos.   In 2001 NBC and the World Wrestling Federation partnered to own and run the XFL, a new off-season pro football league. Avery signed with the XFL’s Chicago Enforcers and looked forward to a bright future in the league.   “There are a lot of really great athletes out there, but because they don’t get a break anywhere else they’re left out in the cold,” says Avery. “The XFL was another way to keep the players in the States. It was a great idea.”   Although Avery ended up leading the league in rushing, “smash-mouth football” — as the XFL dubbed itself — was a bust with fans and the league disbanded after its first season. Disappointed and sporting a hamstring injury, Avery took a year off before signing with the Esks this season.   While he, like his team, has seen both ups and downs over the season, Avery has helped enable his team to take a serious run at the Grey Cup.   “Football is easy when you’ve grown up where I did,” says the 27-year-old, who was raised in low-income housing projects in Richmond, VA.   “We’d play football in the parking lots with the cars driving through,” he recalls. “If you’re not aware of where you are in the lot, you could run into a parked car while running for a deep ball. It may sound dangerous but that’s how life was.”   Avery, who was raised by his single mom, says he sharpened his athletic skills on the street before transferring them to the field.   “In the projects there’s a lot of fights and running, you hear gunshots and you just have to react. Those skills are polished on the football field where everything is a reaction,” says Avery.   In reference to his size, Avery states, “You don’t worry about competing against guys who are bigger than you. You’ve competed against a whole society and world that says you’re not supposed to succeed because of where you’re from.   “Football is a game of survival. Growing up in the low-income housing projects you’re in a situation where you have to survive.  In the projects, whether you were playing or out past dark, there are dangers that could take your life.   “While I was there I watched one of my teammates get shot in the head,” explains Avery. “It messed me up for a while and made me want more than ever to get away from the lifestyle.”   Avery ended up turning to his Christian faith, instilled by his mother, convinced that only God could turn his life around.   “The more I prayed, the more good things happened to me. The more I leaned on God for support, the more the doors kept opening,” smiles Avery. “I really prayed for His protection and guidance.”   Life in Edmonton is far cry from life in the projects and Avery doesn’t take it for granted.   “God is so good. I’m able to take care of my Mom,” he says.   “She worked two jobs to care for my brothers and sisters. She sacrificed so much for me and I want to give it all back to her.”   Though he’s come a long way in life Avery remains humble.   “You’re one play away from an injury and everything could be taken away,” he says, adding, “I’m a Christian and I don’t feel that anyone is above Jesus.”   “When I’m out there it’s almost like Chariots of Fire ...I feel His pleasure.” [LLN-Online] [Adopt-a-Block] [Newsbriefs][Event Calendar] [Lifestyles] [Juke Box] [Cover to Cover] [Movieguide][Casting the Net] [Viewpoints] [General Info] [Rates & Sizes][Marketplace/Classifieds] [Volunteer Ops] [Writing Guidelines] [Contact Us] [Subscribe][Archives][Good News] [Church Directory][About Us][Links]