Never Give Up - Lessons from the World of Sport

So I admit I'm a sports fanatic for the entertainment, the adrenalin, etc…but today I was reminded in several instances of another reason to value sports – the way that it can remind us never to give up. A game, or a match can turn on a moment, a play, a point…as can life. We just have to hang in there, be ready to capitalize on the turning moment and never give in to defeat.

First, prime examples – if anyone saw the Seahawks defeat the Giants or the Raiders (a day after the death of their arguably crazy but storied owner Al Davis) hang on to beat the Texas, you will appreciate the value of not giving up and playing to the end. Both teams, potentially on the verge of defeat were saved by end zone interceptions that sealed their victories.

Second is one of my favorite stories of NFL resilience this year. For anyone who has followed the Carolina Panthers since their inception (as many know I have) you will know that until this year, John Kasay, the kicker and all time Panther’s scoring leader was the only remaining member of the original Panthers from their founding in 1995. Kasay was released this off-season, with the team citing his “aging” leg as the reason. This man is the definition of a class act. If you have time, I would encourage you to read the open letter he wrote to the Charlotte Observer upon his release – thanking the team and the city for some of the best years of his and his family’s life (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/08/09/2516320/a-classy-farewell-from-a-classy.html). This gracious man was cut, but then picked up by the Saints when their kicker was injured early this season. Today he returned Charlotte – and the Saints won by his field goal. 

But most significant was what I witnessed. I ran the Army 10-miler this morning, and headed into a stretch down by the Potomac River I heard cheering up ahead. When I got there I saw a wounded soldier with a prosthetic leg making his way along the side of the pack. Needless to say any aching legs I was feeling really didn’t matter much at that point. What a lesson – both in not giving up, but also in being grateful for all that we are able to do. Enough said.