For the Love of the Game

Interestingly I really am not a football fan (yes, it is an unfortunate time of year for me) but one of my favorite movies is "Rudy". When flipping through the channels Sunday night I found myself stopping on it right at the beginning of the initial training camp scene. It is early in the morning, the dew is sparkling on the grass, the breath of the players hangs in the air, the excitement is palpable. Anticipation for a hard workout, tense season, and new relationships on and off the field is evident.

I am instantly drawn in, for probably the 34th time. I love this movie. I love, just like everyone else loves the heart that runs through every aspect and character of this movie. It is generational - beginning with Ned Beatty's character, the Dad, then his undersized youngest son, then his teammates who are willing to surrender their jersey's to see that heart beat on the field. Rudy works throughout the entire movie just to play in one game so his father can see him. He will do anything and everything to make this happen. He is humble and loveable.

Now for a complete juxtaposition I bring your attention to the next sports related media I saw less than 10 hours later. Serena Williams' appearance at the US Open Semifinals where she loses it on a line judge who makes a questionable call. There is no majesty, no team, no love. Passion yes, but not what we're looking for. I bring these two 'scenes' up for a couple of reasons. First of all to highlight the difference between being a lone competitor without the tangible team to be accountable to. Rudy works so hard not to let anyone down whereas Serena in that moment only feels accountable to herself, and only in hindsight did she remembered the children she asked to look up to her, her parents and her sponsors (her team).

My second reason is to illustrate an example of before and after. Rudy is the example of someone for who going home unknown is a real possibility. Rudy is still enamored with his sport and Serena is above that, she knows that she will professionally recover. Rudy gives us the feeling however that he will never forget the strife that he went through to get on the field whereas Serena has the sense of entitlement and feels that this struggle gives her the right to treat someone like garbage, and she as a result represents herself like an ass.

My point is lets always work hard, on and off the field to remember our team, conduct ourselves as we would always want to be seen and remember the humbleness and attitude that lead us to success, maintaining it to lead us to further success.