Six Degrees of Separation brings Miami Miracle back to Trenton area
Six Degrees of Separation represents a theory that all living things and everything else in the world are six or fewer steps away.
So, essentially, a friend of a friend, of a friend, of a friend, of a friend, of a friend will deliver a connection between two people. This idea placed many local football fans and students in the middle of the Miami Dolphins miracle victory over New England Sunday as Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill passed to Kenny Stills at midfield.
Stills tossed a lateral to DeVante Parker, who lateraled to running back Kenyan Drake. Drake eluded several Patriots defenders as he raced into the end zone for a 34-33 victory. Fish fans had their “The Miami Miracle”.
You’re wondering how does a Miami Dolphins touchdown connect to local residents? DeVante Parker. No relation although finding the wide receiver on the family tree would serve as a welcome discovery.
Parker is the son of Raneca Parker and former Louisville running back Anthony Shelman. He attended Ballard High School in Louisville, Ky., where he was a three-sport star in football, track and basketball. His dad graduated from Lawrence High School in Mercer County in 1990.
Shelman had a stint at running back with the Seattle Seahawks in 1995 after leading the University of Louisville with 1,084 yards in 1994. In addition to the National Football League, he played in the Arena Football League and the Canadian Football League.
Shelman then became a cheerleader for his son as he guaranteed his offspring would eventually play in the NFL following a stellar career at Louisville. Shelman frequently predicted his son would play on Sundays.
Parker competes in his third year as a Dolphins wide receiver. He found himself in the middle of an amazing last-second victory over the reviled and celebrated New England Patriots.
One last insight about the Miami victory.
Drake, who sprinted past Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski to score, tossed the ball into the stands. Questionable? You bet. An immediate personal reaction noted “That’s not smart.”
And now? Of course, Drake wants the ball returned.
“Oh yeah, for sure,” Drake told The MMQB’s Albert Breer. “We’ve got one last home game. If they don’t have tickets already, I’ll give them tickets to the game, whatever they need. I’d love to have the ball back. I don’t regret throwing it, but now that I’m level-headed, I’m sitting down thinking about it, having the ball back would definitely mean a lot to me, and the team as well.”
Two tickets? Man, Drake, you better come up with Dolphins gear and cash.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.