Astonishing?
"It's hard to tell which is more astonishing -- that (Karl) Malone actually feels this way, or that (Demetrius) Bell was able to overcome the heartbreaking reality of being rejected by a parent."
Really? You have a hard time figuring out which is more astonishing? I'll help. The second isn't astonishing at all. It's called life. It's realizing that relying on a parent who could do such a thing would be folly.
Is Demetrius Bell the only guy in the NFL draft who has had little to no contact with their father? I'm going out on a sturdy limb and saying not a chance. Before anyone thinks that's got anything to do with any racial/socioeconomic issues, I'll say that I'm in the same boat as those guys, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Certainly there are situations where growing up without a father creates situations that must be overcome. However, not having a father around doesn't mean you've got a lot to overcome in and of itself.
I didn't have a father growing up. Still don't. I have a Dad, though, and she did a wonderful job of making me realize that it wasn't me who had anything to overcome.
Happy Mother's Day (a bit early), Mom.