MIAMI — Look through the trees, Dolphins fans.
You have an opportunity to appreciate something special while you’re enduring another middling season.
As the team struggles, future Honor Roll member Derek Cameron Wake has been going through his own struggles. Wake, who has battled a knee injury that’s already sidelined him for two games, only has one sack through the first half of the season.
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Three Dog Night once sang that, “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do.” That must be what the defensive end is feeling as he enters Week 9.
The 2019 season might bring about a ton of changes with the Dolphins — possibly a new president, head coach and/or quarterback. The future of the 36-year-old Wake is also murky. He’s not under contract, and many feel his time has come and gone. It will take a gutsy GM to pull the trigger on a 37-year-old situational defense end.
If this is indeed the final year for one of the greatest defensive players to ever put on the aqua and orange, we must treat him with the respect that he has earned.
Here’s a man who has made a living relentlessly chasing down and tackling another human being play after play for 10 years. This drive is what made Wake realize he belonged in the NFL. In fact, when you hear Wake describe himself, you wish the rest of the players had the same beliefs, work ethic and dedication.
“Being hard-headed,” Wake began, “never say die, don’t take no for an answer. All those type of attributes have been instilled in me since I was very young.
“I think the fact that I made it to where I am — as far as being undrafted, being cut, so on and so forth — I wouldn’t be able to be even talking to you today if it wasn’t for that type of mentality.”
Dolphins Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, who played alongside such Miami mainstays as linebacker Zach Thomas, defensive tackle Tim Bowens and cornerbacks Sam Madison and Pat Surtain, marvels at Wake’s mental toughness in spite of the team’s lack of success in recent years.
“It’s remarkable,” Taylor said, “I had a great support. To this day I coach with Sam Madison and have to hear him every day, but it’s that constant voice that’s been there for me. Cam has never had that.
“It takes a tough mentality to have to bring that kind of work ethic, especially while losing.”
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During his combined NFL/CFL career, Wake has 132 sacks (93 in the NFL, 39 in the CFL). But you can hear rumblings about Wake just underneath the surface as another Dolphins season seems to be heading into the abyss. As the struggles continue and the whispers get louder, you hear questions like, “Is Cam Wake too old?” or “Has Father Time finally caught up with one of the most perfectly conditioned Dolphins of all time?”
Whether Miami ends up 10-6 or 6-10, Wake will continue to show the calm and professionalism he always has.
“Adversity doesn’t create character,” he said, “it reveals it. I feel like the way I’m built, the person I am, it doesn’t matter the situation. You’ve got to do whatever it takes to persevere, off the field as well.”
This isn’t the first time Wake has been questioned. Not by a long shot. By now, he should be used to it.
The Beltsville, Md., native went undrafted. Strike one.
He was cut by the New York Giants. Strike two.
He had to go to Vancouver to play in the CFL for the BC Lions. (Nothing against beautiful Vancouver and the CFL, but clearly his aspirations were to play in the NFL, so) strike three.
Then, in 2015, at the age of 33, Wake blew out his Achilles, putting his career in doubt. Strike four.
Since then, he’s proven everybody wrong, notching 11.5 sacks in 2016 at age 34 and another 10.5 sacks the following year at age 35.
Entering Sunday’s game against the rival New York Jets, Wake needs something from you that he’s never really gotten on the field from the rest of his team — support.
Even though fans are unhappy, coaches are grouchy, players are frustrated and front-office folks are uncomfortable, Wake continues to fight to finish the season in typical Wake fashion — relentless to the end.
Remember, this is the player who, when he injured his Achilles, continued to play and turned the corner on the tackle on one foot to keep chasing Tom Brady on one leg. That kind of heart and determination should never be forgotten. These are the players fans need to embrace.
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Every day Wake is in the NFL, he slides his feet back into his old CFL sandals to remind him how far he’s come.
“Whether it’s a workout, practice, game, I slide my CFL sandals on and take two seconds to reflect on where I am, where I came from, and just cherish every moment good and bad and treat every day as a blessing,” he said. “Because this is a special opportunity. It’s a gift to play and be able to do what I do in the city that I love. That gets me through any situation that comes.”
Wake only has one career playoff appearance. During the last 10 years, fans haven’t had a lot to feel good about with regard to this team.
But for the last decade, every Dolphins fan on the planet has been proud to have Wake on his team. Stats-wise, it’s tough to say how it’ll end for Wake this season. Regardless, this franchise and fans of it should celebrate this athlete with a champion’s heart.
Taylor has no doubt how fans should treat Wake in what could be his final season as a Dolphin.
“Wake deserves every bit of love and admiration they’ve given me, Zach or anyone else that’s been here for a long time,” he said. “Sometimes you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone. Just like the Heat organization is doing with Dwyane Wade’s final run with Miami, Cam deserves the same kind of support.”
(Top photo: Jasen Vinlove / USA TODAY Sports)