VOA标准英语2010年-US Football Star Gar?on Shines Light B

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Pierre Gar?on (85) celebrates after the Colts' 30-17 win over the New York Jets in the AFC Championship NFL football game in Indianapolis, 24 Jan 2010

The Super Bowl is American football's biggest game of the year.  One big star in Sunday's game is likely to be Indianapolis Colts' receiver Pierre Gar?on, whose parents came to the United States from Haiti.  Since the January 12 earthquake in Haiti, Gar?on has used his newfound stardom to raise attention to Haiti's needs since the disaster. 

The lead up to Sunday's Super Bowl is a frenzy¹ of media attention on the top two teams, the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints.  Star players endure hours of interviews, talking about their football background and their preparation for the big game.

Colts receiver Pierre Gar?on is enjoying his moment in the spotlight².  But he also wants to remind people about Haiti, and its struggle to rebuild following a devastating³ earthquake.

"Haiti has given me extra motivation, but every time I play I try to do my best," said Gar?on.

Gar?on was born in the United States and grew up playing football not far from the Miami stadium hosting this year's Super Bowl.  He retains a strong link to the homeland of his parents, and carries the nation's flag after crucial football victories.  When news broke about the January 12 quake, he was shocked.

"Just, an earthquake in Haiti is not something you hear about every day.  It was hard for me to believe," he added.

Gar?on was relieved to learn his relatives were unharmed.  Since then, he has been drawing attention to the needs of tens of thousands of Haitians who lost their homes and relatives in the disaster.  One of his goals is to raise $150,000 to help a missionary⁴ group in northwest Haiti.

"They have been helping⁵ people for 10 to 15 years now and we teamed up.  We are trying to bring more help to Haiti really," he explained.

Gar?on is among a small group of NFL players of Haitian descent.  The quake has brought them together even across football rivalries⁶.  Gar?on will face off Sunday against the New Orleans Saints and Jonathan Vilma, who also has family in Haiti.

"I was fortunate to hear that my family was OK, that night the earthquake hit," said Vilma.  "So that was a relief.  I was able to put it to the side a bit, focus on football.  I can do that until the season is over with."

For Gar?on, it has been a challenge to put aside his concerns about Haiti, and focus on football and the most important game of his career,  but he has a simple message to Haitians.

"We are coming, we are coming to help.  Stay strong, hold on.  We will be there soon," added Gar?on.

Win or lose on Sunday, Gar?on says he plans to return to Haiti in April and offer help to the battered⁷ country.

 

1 frenzy   

n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动

参考例句：

• He was able to work the young students up into a frenzy.他能激起青年学生的狂热。
• They were singing in a frenzy of joy.他们欣喜若狂地高声歌唱。

2 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

3 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

4 missionary   

adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士

参考例句：

• She taught in a missionary school for a couple of years.她在一所教会学校教了两年书。
• I hope every member understands the value of missionary work. 我希望教友都了解传教工作的价值。

5 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

6 rivalries   

n.敌对，竞争，对抗( rivalry的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The new government was torn by rivalries. 新政府由于各派对立而四分五裂。 来自辞典例句
• Rivalries could bring about pain and hatred or give rise to fighting. 竞争会带来痛苦、仇恨，或者引起争斗。 来自互联网

7 battered   

adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损

参考例句：

• He drove up in a battered old car.他开着一辆又老又破的旧车。
• The world was brutally battered but it survived.这个世界遭受了惨重的创伤,但它还是生存下来了。