Baltimore has struggled behind a makeshift offe

In October, espnWs weekly essay series will focus on heroes.Even as a high school athlete, my father, Hannibal Ware, was known for his long shooting range. He and his youngest brother, James, were a fearless duo on the court. In Lexington, Kentucky, the two lanky teenagers were known as the Ware boys.In 1968, my father played collegiate hoops at the University of the Virgin Islands. When I was a kid in grade school, he loved telling me stories about those days as a young hoops star. An opponent once yelled out, Dont let the Yankee shoot! according to my father.My father could tell a story better than anyone I have ever met. And to this day, I can still see his lean brown form standing in my grandmothers living room reenacting his winning jump shot.I remember watching him stand behind the 3-point line on our neighborhood basketball court. He made so many baskets in a row, it felt like magic. He loved perfecting his basketball skills.He never made it to the pros, but he imparted his basketball knowledge to my sister, Saneda, and me. Be aggressive when going inside, he told me. Dont play with fear.In high school, I wore a jersey emblazoned with his number -- 14. Maybe, I thought, it would bring me luck. Or maybe I was just proud to wear the same number as a superstar. I was a pretty good player. Like him, I had a consistent jump shot of my own and was one of the star players on the Bryan Station Middle Schools Bearcats. I am very proud that both my father and I were part of teams that won championships for Bryan Station.Even though I chose not to continue my basketball career after middle school, I still feel proud knowing that I shared such an important interest with him. Basketball will always remind me of the special moments that connected us.But in my second year of college, I received a terrible shock. My father was diagnosed with throat cancer. What started off as a tiny bump on his neck gradually grew into a large tumor.My father was stubborn and unwilling to go for a checkup. My grandmother, sister and I watched as he slowly deteriorated. He began to forget little things. He was aware of his decline. I could see the fear on my fathers face at times. It was difficult watching my?hero meet his kryptonite. He spoke as if he would beat cancer, but deep down I believe he knew his fate.During the last stages of his illness, I dropped out of school. The stress of witnessing my fathers illness left me in a dark place. I remember lying to my uncle about still being enrolled at the University of Kentucky. I was too ashamed to say that I had failed.I watched my Dad -- my first love -- wither away in a nursing home. I saw the light fading from his large almond eyes and I knew that he was leaving me. He would stare off into space, listening to R&B. In his last days he seemed to find some peace listening to slow music. I can still see him breathing, gasping for air.My life will forever be changed by these events. I will always have the special moments we shared to bring me joy. His love for his children and basketball taught me compassion and commitment. Eventually, I found the strength to go back to school and graduate with a masters degree in social work.So Daddy, thank you for the wonderful moments we shared. Thank you for your kind heart and your dedication to others. Thank you for being my first love and my first encounter with a real-life superhero.Ebonie Ware is a writer based in Kentucky. She started the blog Ware Im Coming From.?Follow her on Instagram?for?inspirational nuggets.? Mookie Wilson Jersey . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. Jeurys Familia Mets Jersey . Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup. http://www.metssale.com/mets-pedro-martinez-jersey/ . Burris threw two TD passes, including a key 15-yard fourth-quarter strike to Bakari Grant that effectively countered a Toronto comeback bid and led Hamilton to a 33-19 victory. Carlos Gomez Mets Jersey . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. David Wright Mets Jersey . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. The Baltimore Ravens expect to see Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger back in the lineup when they meet for first place in the AFC North on Sunday (1 p.m., ET).In fact, Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs plans to welcome Roethlisberger back to the field.Dont fall for that. I saw this movie before, Suggs said about the possibility of Roethlisberger being ruled inactive. Hes going to act like, Im not playing. I dont know. I did individual today and threw a little bit. I still dont know. Then, hes going to walk ... on out there. Im going to be like, How you doin, Benjamin.On Friday, Roethlisberger was officially listed as questionable for Pittsburghs divisional showdown with Baltimore, but thats about as much information as Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was willing to provide.We had a good day today. He had a good day today, Tomlin said. Well see how his body responds to the work. We dont have to make the decision today so we wont. Well continue to push forward toward game day.Roethlisberger returned to practice this week after undergoing surgery to repair a torn left meniscus on Oct. 17. Whether he plays or not, the Ravens are determined to seize the opportunity in front of them.Were seven games in, were one game out of first in the division, and were playing the team thats first in the division, which is our archrival, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. What more could you ask for than that?Pittsburgh is 1-6 against Baltimore without Roethlisberger, and 9-8 when he plays. Tomlin said Roethlisberger could still be active for the game even if he doesnt start.I thought it was generally positive, Tomlin said about Roethlisbergers performance at practice this week. We hadnt spent a lot of time analyzing it. Its just been giving him the work and him taking the work and hes done a really good job with it.If Roethlisberger is not fully ready, backup Landry Jones will make his second consecutive start. Jones went 29 of 47 for 281 yards with a touchdown and interception against the New England Patriots in Week 7.The offense doesnt change that much if Landry Jones is in there, Harbaugh said. Obviously, theyre different players. Ben is Ben, and we respect him tremendously. Well operate under that assumption.Roethlisberger is still experiencing some pain because of the surgery. Nonetheless, he said dealing with any type of injury is common at this point of the season.dddddddddddd Roethlisberger will likely be a game-time decision as far as being named the starter.I had surgery two weeks ago, Roethlisberger said. Listen, anybody in this locker room that isnt feeling pain hasnt been on the football field yet. Everyone is feeling pain right now.Roethlisberger is having a solid season and has thrown for 1,685 yards, He is tied for fifth in the NFL with 16 touchdowns passes and has just six interceptions. Roethlisberger has been sacked 11 times, and will likely face relentless pressure by the Ravens if he is able to play.Both the Steelers (4-3) and Ravens (3-4) are coming off bye weeks. That extra time off was especially valuable to Baltimore, which hopes to have most of its key players back in the lineup.While Harbaugh declined to get into specifics about injuries, left tackle Ronnie Stanley (foot), and former Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda (shoulder) are expected to return. Baltimore has struggled behind a makeshift offensive line without those two key players out of the lineup.The Ravens are also hopeful a healthy team will help snap the current four-game losing streak -- the longest slide in Harbaughs nine years as the head coach.The Steelers could get a huge boost to their playoff aspirations with a victory. Pittsburgh could also get several injured players back, including defensive end Cameron Heyward (hamstring), running back DeAngelo Williams (knee) and right tackle Marcus Gilbert (ankle).Both Baltimore and Pittsburgh have been helped by a struggling AFC North this season. The teams in that division have combined for just 10 wins -- the lowest mark in the NFL.Nonetheless, the Steelers and Ravens are in the best position to take advantage of the situation. The winner of Sundays game will be in the drivers seat.Even though Baltimore and Pittsburgh have struggles, it remains one of the best rivalries in the NFL.Its going to be exciting ball, Tomlin said. Control of the AFC North is at stake. We respect their place. We are doing it at their place. Its a hostile environment. They are well coached and have good players. ' ' '