Football

I think I was 5 maybe 6 when I remember holding my first football. I listened intently as my brother explained where my fingers needed to be on the laces, how my palm should be across the ball and how to try to make the spiral. I remember being in the huddle and can still see him drawing out the play on his palm as a visual for me…..

“Ok, this is where we are. This is me, this is you, you’re going to go out long, hang a right and keep your eye on the ball.”

He had the game plan and we had to execute. 

I vividly remember my first real tackle as I heard “Hold the ball, hold the ball, don’t let goooooo” as I ran as fast as I could straight for the “end zone” which was between one tree and a bush in our backyard and I honestly don’t think I’ll ever forget that feeling of the thud. That specific thud that rattles your back and rib cage almost knocking the wind out of you, as you take the hit and immediately make contact with the ground. Or the day I finally MADE my first real tackle, risking getting kicked in the face as I dove for their feet. Then the times we scored the touchdown, it would be so exciting, right up until I remembered I had one more fear to face, holding the ball in place for the extra point. How many times at the last second I would let my finger go because I couldn’t sit there holding it, trusting he wouldn’t completely kick my hand and send me to the hospital.

I grew up being a NY Giants fan by default because Dad would have the games on and like any good family member I embraced them, even when they stunk. Deep inside though, I kept falling for many different coaches and players, from many different teams and for many different reasons. Whether you love him or hate him doesn’t truly matter to me, because Mike Ditka’s quote “Tough times don’t last, tough people do” resonated to the core of my very being the first time I heard him say it. To me, just some random girl watching a football interview from her couch, now had a quote that I would keep referring back to during tough times in my life. How hearing “next play, next play, next play” over and over again made me realize that there’s no time to dwell on the last moment, the last bad thing that happened in the play or in life because there’s no time for that. It was and is about keeping their (or your) head in the game, manage the emotion and focus on what to do next because it’s NOW and there’s still time left on the clock. Or the time I heard Eli say “Don’t look too far ahead and don’t look back either” and how I instantly tried to implement that into my everyday life to help when my brain tries taking me too far into the future or when it gets stuck in the past. Words like drive, will, determination, trust, focus, believe, discipline, faith, game plan, execute, all those words and so many more describe these football players and their mind set. I’ve listened to so much talk on how the game is played, have watched so many interviews to hear how these athletes think, and have tried to figure out how coaches keep their team up when they’re down and so many times I just hear myself saying…..

“Life is just like one giant football game.” 

When you’re applying for a job, it’s like try outs. When you get passed over for it, it’s no different than being passed over in the draft and then you become an Aaron Rogers when you are given the chance and shine bright. Or when you lead a team and have to keep them focused and pumped for the next meeting or pitch or whatever it is because it’s one step closer to your quota and hopefully, bonus in your bank account. Those times when someone said you couldn’t do it or were to this or that, or that godawful feeling of maybe not being enough and you prove them wrong and show everyone they can suckit because ya’ did it!

What if football was truly a metaphor for life?

What if the ball represents our dreams and what it takes to achieve them?

It’s dedication, discipline, practice and perfect practice, it’s one play at a time, one yard at a time, one decision at a time as you implement the game plan constantly adjusting accordingly to the outcome of the last “play.” Or, you’ve done everything you possibly could and have no choice left but to give your final ditch effort, throw the “The Hail Mary” and hope for the best. In football there’s no time to get caught up in the last bad decision you just made, you just have to learn from it, adjust quickly and keep moving that ball down the field. 

Isn’t that just like life?

Or is it just me?! 

People will try and tell you what THEY think of you or your abilities and if you were in a locker room, teammates and coaches would be telling you not to listen to the chatter. Don’t listen to the news, don’t read the headlines don’t listen to anyone who’s not on your team so, we shouldn’t either. People will be trying to tackle you and you’ll be all over the place, spinning, dodging, tripping (juking) trying to hold the ball the entire time as you keep moving forward. We should do that with our dreams too. No matter what adversities come our way and as hard as we try to plan on them, most times they come up unexpectedly. The trick is trying not to panic as you “sit in the pocket” feeling a little uncomfortable and keep looking for your next move. If the last thing didn’t work, find another way. 

Troy Aikmen was awful his first season as a quarterback for The Cowboys. He lost his first 11 games as a pro. Read that again. His first 11 games he lost. The negative commentary he had to endure?! The human side of him had to be doubting himself, maybe even feeling like a complete failure, but the football player inside of him never gave up and his team didn’t give up on him either and they went on to win the very next season, directly to the Super Bowl.

Football teaches us to dig deep, have patience, be consistent and to have some kind of a game plan. 

So, hold the ball (your dream). Don’t let people tell you what you can and can’t do (like a honey badger who doesn’t give a sh&$). Trust yourself and your abilities, believe in yourself and forgodsakes don’t listen to the chatter in your head or externally and pick the right people for your team.

Football to me? It’s been in my life forever and I’ll say it all day long, “I love that sport.” I love the God given talent that we are so lucky to see and be motivated by.

I see so much more than “It’s just a game” and now, I hope you do too.

#SuperbowlSunday2020#thebestofthebest

Special Thanks To: My brother, Scott Devine, for always letting me be on his team in the backyard and in life.

Side Note: For a really good laugh google “honey badger don’t care” video.

Finally: Do I stay this positive everyday? What are you crazy? (And if so, welcome to the club.) I have a team of hand selected people that help me stay on track every single day and you know who you are!❤️👭#initogether #ittakesateam