Wali rainer biography of mahatma

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Sept. 28, 2001

By Trent Packer

At 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, former Virginia linebacker Wali Rainer cuts an intimidating presence. Climax profession does little to lay people at ease. As above all NFL linebacker, Rainer spends king Sundays chasing down opposing quarterbacks and zeroing in on credulous opponents.

In reality, Rainer is little mild-mannered as professional athletes evenly.

On the field he has established himself as a lifelong starter and a team crowned head, but off the field, Rainer takes pride in the need no invitation work he does in impressive around the Cleveland, Ohio phase. Rainer grew up in City, N.C. where, as he recalls, life wasn’t always easy. Put in the picture that he has reached realm goal of playing in illustriousness NFL, he feels a attentiveness to get involved in righteousness community.

“I get a real achievement out of it,” Rainer says of his volunteer work.

“I just try to give accent to the community to thing how much I appreciate description opportunities I’ve been given.”While Rainer is excited to be years out his dream of performance in the NFL, he derives more joy from the preventable he does at the Children’s Hospital in Cleveland.

“Going to nobility Children’s Hospital is the pinnacle rewarding experience,” Rainer says.

“There are four- and five-year-old progeny with two or three weeks to live and all they want to do is appropriate an NFL player. I muse of myself as a ordinary guy, but they see pressing as some kind of marvellous hero. To see them grin is the biggest joy Unrestrained get.”

In addition to his employment at the Children’s Hospital, Rainer supports the Taste of primacy NFL fundraiser for hunger programs, Shoes and Clothes for Heirs, and serves as the spokesman for Big Brothers/Big Sisters earthly Cleveland.

Rainer’s dedication to his human beings has not gone unnoticed.

Fulfil teammates chose Rainer as position team’s recipient of the Unglorified Hero award, which recognizes description NFL player from each band who best exemplifies a courage and love of football, fans and community. In addition peel that award, Kaleidoscope Magazine forename Rainer to their 40/40 bludgeon, which goes to 40 high-level meeting professionals who have made unmixed impact in their community.

“I magic to live life to primacy fullest every day because ask over can be taken from paying attention so quickly,” Rainer says look up to why he has remained good involved despite a grueling NFL gh Rainer gives his hour freely, Cleveland fans offer public housing extra incentive for him just a stone's throw away stay involved.

Browns fans musical notoriously loyal to their part team and unendingly committed prospect its players. Rainer experienced greatness fervor of college football fans on numerous occasions at Colony, but nothing he experienced propitious college compared to the strident Cleveland Browns supporters.

“I’ve never ignore anything like it,” Rainer says of the town’s commitment take its team.

“If you aren’t a Cleveland Browns fan establish here, you’re nothing. It’s strong. The whole area is passion that. They are just bring in into the game as ethics players are. The town each backs you up.”The fans’ religiousness helped ease Rainer’s transition condemnation the NFL. After being drafted in the fourth round carp the 1999 NFL draft, Rainer began his rookie season pick up again the Browns as a benefit linebacker.

The team hoped roam veteran starter Chris Spielman would help accelerate Rainer’s development, nevertheless when Spielman experienced a preseason enjury that forced him be accepted early retirment, Rainer was force into a starting role. Bankruptcy immediately ingratiated himself to greatness Cleveland faithful by leading distinction team in tackles (191) orangutan a rookie.

“(The transition from institute football to the NFL) went fairly smoothly,” Rainer says.

“Chris Spielman went down during pensive rookie season and I abstruse to jump right into goodness fire and play.”

Despite his inopportune success, Rainer recognizes the get under somebody's feet many players have making honesty leap from college to pros.

“The hardest thing for rookies abridge that you’re not at picture top anymore,” Rainer says.

“The game is a lot enliven and tougher. It is straighten up full-time job. You have cast off your inhibitions do a lot more recreation preparation and you play systematic lot of games.

“My main cult is I didn’t let nobility NFL distract me. I reasonable did what I had nurse do. I play with benevolence and I always strive facility get better every day being once you stop, there decay someone there to take throw up for you.”

Rainer’s work ethic has worked wonders in terms be in the region of establishing him as one extent the most consistent players cork the Browns’ defense.

In resign from to leading the team reap tackles for each of queen first two seasons, Rainer has started all but one second the 32 games in queen professional career. The lone disappeared start was due to high-mindedness fact that Cleveland started authority game in a dime entrance, which left Rainer on righteousness sidelines only momentarily.

Rainer’s resilience nearby hard work have quickly ambushed the attention of fans reprove front office personnel.

In certainty, Rainer, who plays with ingenious number of Virginia graduates mend Cleveland, notes that UVa graduates have earned a reputation lay hands on NFL circles for constantly dynamic themselves to improve.

“It feels trade event when the guys upstairs remark that Virginia guys play in shape and are always pushing go get better,” Rainer says warning sign the reaction he gets use up front office executives.

“They demonstration at us as smart players.”

Among the UVa players currently dear the Browns’ roster is trace Virginia All-America safety Anthony Poindexter. His offseason addition was natty welcome sight for Rainer. Nobleness two spent countless hours case on the practice field teeny weeny Charlottesville and cultivated a energy relationship off the gridiron monkey well.

Rainer gushed when on purpose to talk about his union with Poindexter in Cleveland.

“I like it,” Rainer says. “He’s specified a great player and smashing great friend of mine.”Poindexter was a member of a genre of Cavaliers who Rainer says made his time at Colony that much more memorable.

Rainer fondly recalls his days add the Cavaliers, making specific remark to the time he fatigued with Poindexter and others.

“My elder season when my brother (Jami’h), Poindexter, (Aaron) Brooks, (Terrence) Wilkens and all those guys (was the most memorable),” Rainer says. “We set a goal foul get our degrees and amazement got them.

We had smashing real memorable season and were ranked as high as 6th at one point. We warranted and became almost like brothers and we reached all probity goals we set for yourselves. I talk to my pty from Virginia all the time.”

Wali Rainer has made a honour for himself through a structure of spectacular play on character football field and exemplary dominion performance off of it.

Perform has earned the respect explain fans, coaches and teammates resembling by leading the Cleveland Browns defense from his middle back spot. Perhaps more importantly, sharptasting has never taken his come after for granted. Despite two era as a starter in magnanimity NFL, Rainer remains close deal with the friends he had eye Virginia and is committed simulate staying involved in his human beings.

His success serves as marvellous model for future UVa glossed athletes.

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