What does “All-American” really mean? Jordan Shipley personifies the classic ideals of our nation. That he disagrees only proves it.
What does “All-American” really mean anyway? It’s an easy enough term to throw around, but there’s a heavy connotation attached. It’s not something to scoff at, nor is it something you can just assign yourself — no one who does can actually live up to it.
If you look at the concept of being “All-American,” Jordan Shipley certainly fits the mold. He’s a former high school football star. His father coached the team in his small Texas town. He went on to play in the NFL, marry a beautiful songwriter, and pursue his dream career of working in the great outdoors. It’s the stuff of a Hollywood screenplay.
Yet unlike the one-dimensional stereotypes you find on the silver screen, Jordan got to where he is through a combination of hard work, teeth-gritting determination, a refusal to accept mediocrity in himself or those around him, and the willingness to be part of a team working toward a greater goal.
You can bet Jordan doesn’t wake up in the morning intending to shoulder the mantle of being “All-American,” but it’s a testament to his character, and the character of his parents, that he personifies something so sacred.
