“That which we are, we are. One equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate. But strong in will. To strive, to seek, to find, And not to yield” Ulysses
The Sports Gods spoke. And when they speak it doesn’t matter about statistical probabilities….it doesn’t matter about footballs resting on the side of your head, or bouncing off your knees into your arms while you lie on the ground. It doesn’t matter if you are undrafted. The Gods have determined your fate. It doesn’t matter if there are three defenders fighting you for the ball. The Gods will make their legs prevent the ball from hitting the ground while you track it, giving you a chance to snatch it, even bobble it. The Gods will elevate its fall until you can cradle it, putting your hands sweetly and gently between it and the grass.
The Sports Gods are often there to create the moments of victory or defeat… they were there again in Super Bowl XI, setting the stage….then it was up to the Patriots to answer the test of the Gods. Would they accept their fate, yield to events as they unfolded?
- Rodney. Assante. Seymour. Welker. Malcolm. Gronk. Amendola. Hightower. Flowers. Edelman. White. And of course the ultimate warrior Tom Brady.
All have been there in those moments. Their fate ostensibly determined by the Sports Gods. But it was up to them to rewrite their history….to change their fate.
It took the Patriots 10 years to restore their good name. Spygate. Gone. Deflategate. Gone. They now again represent something positive to people across the country… a team that won’t quit. Yes. Coaches across the country at all levels can again use the Pats as a model for their players in sports….and life. DO NOT QUIT! No matter what the score. Keep playing hard. Keep grinding. Play hard to the final whistle. As the game goes on you will be made weak by fatigue. You will suffer the hands of fate and fumbles and interceptions. But you can never lose your will to strive……to seek victory until the very end.
You will never yield…..