It’s NFL playoff time and with the New Orleans Saints facing the Seattle Seahawks this Saturday, emotions are rising to a point of anticipatory frenzy. Words like “vanquish,” “devour,” and “annihilate” are commonly joined to “the Seahawks” by even the most placatory citizens of the Who Dat Nation. I confess to being in that number so my description of “Saint Mania” is certainly not meant to be self-exclusionary. With this atmosphere on my mind, I began researching sports related stories for this week’s Inspiration. Interestingly, the first two stories I came across were the antithesis of the “win, win, win” mantra that permeates football fan’s playoff psyche. Whether this was providential or coincidence, I felt compelled to share with you what I found to be the profound message of both. One is a true story and the other, just a story.
The first happened in 2008 at a college softball game which pitted Western Oregon against Central Washington. It featured a remarkable act of sportsmanship. The moment of grace came after Western Oregon senior Sara Tucholsky hit what looked like a potential game winning three-run homer – the first home run ever for the diminutive 21 year old. Being unfamiliar with such circumstances and immersed in the moment, Sara inadvertently missed first base. Realizing her mistake, she turned back toward the bag and, as she did, her right knee buckled. She went down in excruciating pain, but then began crawling back toward first base. The rules barred any of her teammates from assisting her because one touch by any of them would automatically make her unable to advance. The umpires ruled that if Sara could not make it around all of the bases, two runs would score but she would be credited with only a single.
Then Mallory Holtman, the powerful first baseman for the opposing team, said words that brought a chill to everybody who heard them: “Excuse me, would it be O.K. if we carried her around and she touched each bag?”
After the umpires huddled considering this unusual request, they ultimately decided that it would be legal, so Mallory and a fellow teammate, shortstop Liz Wallace, lifted Tucholsky, hands crossed under her, and carried her to second base, gently lowering her so she could touch the base. The three of them then continued this odd procession to third base and home to a cheering standing ovation.
Asked the following day why she would initiate such a gesture of sportsmanship, Mallory responded, “She hit the ball over the fence. She deserved it. Anybody would have done it. I just beat them to it.” She also added that she had been taught by her coach, her parents, and her faith that “winning isn’t everything.”
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My second story is a tale that features a young athletic boy hungry for success, for whom winning was everything and success was measured by such a result.
One day, the boy was preparing himself for a running competition in his small native village featuring himself and two other young boys to competing. A large crowd had congregated to witness the sporting spectacle and a wise old man, upon hearing of the little boy, had travelled far to bear witness also.
The race commenced, looking like a level heat at the finishing line, but sure enough the boy dug deep and called on his determination, strength and power .. he took the winning line and was first. The crowd was ecstatic and cheered and waved at the boy. The wise man remained still and calm, expressing no sentiment. The little boy, however. felt proud and important.
A second race was called, and two new young and fit challengers came forward to run against the little boy. The race was started and sure enough the little boy came through and finished first once again. The crowd was ecstatic again and cheered and waved at the boy. The wise man remained still and calm, again expressing no sentiment. The little boy, however, felt proud and important.
“Another race, another race!” pleaded the little boy. The wise old man stepped forward and presented the little boy with two new challengers, an elderly frail lady and a blind man. “What is this?”, quizzed the little boy. “This is no race” he exclaimed. “Race!”, said the wise man. The race was started and the boy was the only finisher, the other two challengers left standing at the starting line. The little boy was ecstatic, he raised his arms in delight. The crowd, however, was silent showing no sentiment toward the little boy.
“What has happened? Why not do the people join in my success?” he asked the wise old man. “Race again”, replied the wise man, “…this time, finish together, all three of you, finish together” continued the wise man. The little boy thought a little, stood in the middle of the blind man and the frail old lady, and then took the two challengers by the hand. The race began and the little boy walked slowly, ever so slowly, to the finishing line and crossed it. The crowd was ecstatic and cheered and waved at the boy. The wise man smiled, gently nodding his head. The little boy felt proud and important.
“Old man, I understand not! Who are the crowd cheering for? Which one of us three?,” asked the little boy. The wise old man looked into the little boy’s eyes, placing his hands on the boy’s shoulders, and replied softly, “Little boy, for this race you have won much more than in any race you have ever ran before, and for this race the crowd cheers not for any winner! They cheer for your selfless gesture and for your true sportsmanship.”
In sports, business or life…
True sportsmanship is…
Knowing that you need your opponent because without him or her, there is no game.
Acknowledging that your opponent holds the same deep-rooted aspirations and expectations as you.
Knowing that, win or lose, you will walk off the game field with pride.
Always taking the high road.
And always, always, always being a good sport.” ? Lori Myers, No Excuses, The Fit Mind-Fit Body Strategy Book
So this Saturday I’m going to be watching THE game with this quote from former Saint’s coach Mike Ditka permeating my mind – “I’m not going to make it the all – everything. Our (the Saints) goal is to get better, make the playoffs and win the Super Bowl, but I’m not gonna anguish over it like I have in the past.”
Easier said than done!
Have an AWE-full weekend and Geaux Saints!
William J. “Bill” Bacqué