“That’s why you play the game.” This phrase has been spoken many times in the sporting world after a huge underdog leaves the arena of competition with an almost unimaginable victory. For example, in the early 1900’s, Man o’ War had never lost a horse race in its career until it was defeated by a 100-1 long-shot named, appropriately, Upset.
• In 2007, 27-point underdog Appalachian State traveled to Ann Arbor to take on college football’s powerhouse, the Michigan Wolverines. App. State was a 27- point underdog. Appalachian State won the game by a 34-32 score.
• Super Bowl III was won by Joe Namath’s New York Jets 16-7 over the Baltimore Colts. The Colts were overwhelming favorites. Namath announced his team would win and they did.
• The New England Patriots took a perfect record into the 2007 Super Bowl against the Giants. The Patriots were favored by 12. The Giants spoiled their perfect season with a 17-14 win.
• And who can forget perhaps the greatest upset of all when the United States defeated the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics? The Soviets were a team loaded with experience and players known to be the best in the world. The US was a bunch of random players from college hockey. This is usually listed as the greatest upset ever in sports.
How does this happen? What is it that would motivate an athlete to achieve what many obviously considered impossible? How can we use some of these lessons to overcome many of the obstacles that fate throws at us in our everyday lives? Perhaps, the answers can be found in a new book titled, The Sky Is NOT the Limit, Discovering the True North for Your Life’s Path.
First off, I have not yet read the book. It was just published. However, I am very familiar with both authors. Dr. Jarrod Spencer is a Lafayette graduate who is president and founder of Mind of the Athlete, “a sports psychology company committed to the emotional health of athletes”. Jarrod sends me an interesting e-mail every week with tips on improving performance in sports and in life. The book is co-authored by Phil Richards, who is a renowned businessman, a successful author, and a member of Easton High School’s Hall of Fame. He is also my son-in-law’s uncle. I did read his Secrets to Sustainable Success. He just finished Practice on Purpose. These are men I highly respect.
When these men write, the underlying theme is ‘There are a few rules to govern all you do’:
1) Give your best effort
2) Don’t be afraid to fail
3) Capture your passion for something and it can motivate you to great results.
You can order the hardcover work on Amazon for $29.95. It just might motivate you to “play the game” no matter the odds, no matter the result, no matter the game!
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)
1. I know many caught World Cup fever. But 120 minutes of play in the championship final before the first and ONLY goal was scored left me WITH a fever. I already feel better today and I have four years until I risk another soccer malady.
2. “Defense wins championships”. Another sports adage. The Phillies have not committed an error in their last 59 innings. They enter the All-Star break 10 games out of first place and a winning percentage of .442, their lowest since 1997. Defense will not win a championship for the Phils.
3. Don’t you hate when one of your favorite team’s ex-players comes back and just plays great? And you can’t help but think about the “what if he still played for your team?” Former Phillie Jayson Werth has been all-world in July – 40 at bats; .375 average; 14 runs scored; 6 home runs; 19 RBI’s; 8 walks! What if…?
4. Did you notice that LeBron James signed with Cleveland? If you didn’t, what planet were you visiting the past month? So put yourself in the seat of a Cleveland fan. Your baseball team is playing pretty well, the Browns drafted Johnny Manziel, and the Cavaliers now have LeBron. The last championship in Cleveland occurred in 1964 when the Browns won the NFL championship. There’s another one coming, baby!!
5. The Parkland boys’ basketball team won the prestigious Stellar basketball tournament this past weekend, going 6-0. It was the fifth title, but the first since 2009. They won it with talent and depth. Parkland will be heavily favored to win the inaugural season of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. By the way, the Parkland girls finished second to Boyertown.
