What’s in a Name?
What’s in a name? Well, I share a name with two men who inspire me to be better every day. I am Joseph Edward Bevere III and that is also my father’s and grandfather’s name. Thus, I feel the responsibility to live up to the name just as well as they have. Both men are athletic, and I have been told by them both “Joe Bevere is an athlete.” I am okay with that expectation because I am athletic and I love playing hockey. Both of these men are also very good with people. They communicate well and are funny, which I try to emulate because being sociable is a good quality. I have watched both of them interact with people and they can talk with anyone, no matter the situation. However, the most important trait I try to emulate from these men is being healthy. Both are in very good shape due to working out and not drinking or smoking and this pushes me to do the same. These two men have paved the way for the name Joe Bevere, and I try to follow in their footsteps.
Sports have played a big role in my grandfather’s, father’s, and my life. My grandfather was an All-American football player in college and is in his high school’s Hall of Fame. My father played hockey and baseball, and made the Junior Olympics for hockey. He chose to play college baseball but that was short lived due to a shoulder injury. Growing up sports came easily to me, but I still have to work at things. Knowing how good an athlete my grandfather and father were, it gives me the desire to try my best and also be a good athlete. It also has held me to such high standards because of how well these two men have done. I enjoy being held to high standards because it brings out the best in me and I know I have their support. They both give me tips and coach me in my sports and this leaves me with the responsibility to go out there and execute it. My grandfather tells me you must have “fire in the belly” in sports and in life in general; you have to want it. My father on the other hand expects me to perform at a high level and “just compete and have fun.”
My grandfather and father have a funny response to what people think of them, “they love me.” Both are two confident men with very good people skills and can always make you laugh. Neither of them lack confidence when it comes to anything, and this is a trait that has stuck with me and will stick with me for the rest of my life. Seeing their confidence, and the positive way they look at life has helped me develop these same traits. Both men are also big on telling the truth always and being a man of your word. Both men care about their names, their reputations and how people think of them. This leaves me with also wanting a good reputation and never wanting to tarnish the name.
My grandfather just turned 88 and he looks like he is 70. He never drank or smoked in his life and has taken pride in staying healthy. My father is the same way. At 49, he goes to the gym every day and is in great shape for a guy his age. My father stopped drinking heavily in his 20’s and now rarely drinks if ever. Joe Bevere has been known as a man in good shape and not a crazy partier. This image is one I live up to every day. My father tells me health is wealth and you need to take care of yourself. This mindset makes me want to work out to be in the best shape possible and also not overdo it when I do go out with the guys.
I wouldn’t change my name for anything. I love the two Joe Bevere’s that have come before me, and I love everything they stand for. From coaching me in sports, to how to act as a person, and how to live a healthy lifestyle, I would not be the man I am today without these two men. They have taught me countless life lessons and how to live in general. I am proud to have the name Joe Bevere, and I look forward every day to living up to the reputation that precedes the name.
