“A coward turns away, but a brave man’s choice / Is danger.” — EURIPIDES, Iphigenia in Tauris (c. 414-12 B.C.)

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/dad-san-francisco-49ers-draft-pick-dre-greenlaw-for-save-daughter

“A coward turns away, but a brave man’s choice / Is danger.” — EURIPIDES, Iphigenia in Tauris (c. 414-12 B.C.)

I’ve chosen this quotation from the Greek tragedian Euripides as a way of quantifying the selfless actions of San Francisco 49ers draft pick Dre Greenlaw as reported in today’s news.  The majority of you, I’m sure, realize that Euripides wrote not of adrenaline junkies but of men who unpopularly face down wrongdoing despite the weight of narrowed eyes and furrowed brows.   That would describe the valorous altruism of Dre Greenlaw.

It was reported that his successful effort in saving a young woman from certain rape occurred while he was underage and attending a “kegger.”  I don’t care what age he was that night.  That was the moment that Dre Greenlaw became a man.  He did it by way of remaining stalwart in the face of enormous peer pressure and potential threats to his own personal safety.  In fact, he did it by risking his most precious dream.  What that young man faced that evening in the pursuit of doing the right thing probably felt like the flanking walls of the parted Red Sea sneering at him with every ounce of their intimidating vehemence.  Only he, like Moses, drew strength in knowing that he walked a righteous path and should therefore fear not.  Nonetheless, it still took courage to walk that path.  It took the courage of not being “cool” or “popular” or “one of the guys.”  He spoke when others remained mute.

For those of you out there who have sons, if they turn out like Mr. Greenlaw, then you’re doing pretty damn well – and so are they.