The Super Bowl reminds us that sports mirror life

                Super Bowl XLIX is now in the record books. By the way, it is probably time to stop using Roman Numerals now that the number is beyond anyone but Caesar’s ability to decipher the meaning. How about we just call the next one “Super Bowl 2016?”

The game was actually exciting, unlike last year’s lopsided outcome. However, the commercials were disappointing. We have come to view them as part of the entertainment and they left a bit to be desired.

Regardless, the drama of the game far outweighed any consideration of the advertising. In particular, the last two minutes were riveting. The ending revealed the lessons we so often associate with sports. Competitive games mirror life’s experiences.

It was the classic example of Yogi Berra’s famous quote: “It ain’t over til it’s over!” The Patriots appeared to have made a great comeback and were on the cusp of victory. A few minutes of defense and they would have walked away with another ring. Then, the Sea Hawks made an incredible reception. With the team on the one yard line and the “Beast,” Marshawn Lynch in the backfield, Seattle was all but assured the win. Then at the last second, in a scene reminiscent of the 2013 “Iron Bowl” miracle play by Auburn against Alabama, the tide turned once again (no pun intended).

Perseverance and effort matter! No matter the situation, you never-ever give up. On the pass that brought Seattle to the brink of victory, the defensive back Malcom Butler had made a fantastic play to deflect a potentially game-winning pass…almost. It was tipped off his hand, bounced off Jermaine Kearse’s leg (twice) and ended up in the receiver’s hands.

Had Kearse simply accepted the fact that the play was over, Seattle never would have been poised to win. Instead he continued to bobble the ball until he secured it, all the while smashing down on his back and floundering around like a turtle on its shell. He never quit and was rewarded for his exertion.

It also demonstrated that there is justice in the world. Often it is long in coming and torturous in its path, but eventually things come around. In this case, the return was swift and decisive.

One play Butler walks away devastated after having done everything he could to break-up the play. That time his efforts had not paid off. Life isn’t always fair; fate conspired against him. Yet, two plays later, interception and vindication. Devastation to elation. Things had come full circle.

Malcom Butler’s story points to another very individual and personal lesson. It does not matter where you came from or your background; what matters is what you do in life.

His interception on the goal line made him the hero of the game. For that, he is a most unlikely candidate. Undrafted in the NFL, he started at a junior college and graduated from a relatively obscure Division II school. He deserves the accolades, not because of where he came from, rather for what he did.  When circumstances put him in the pivotal situation, he rose to the occasion.

Many of us would wish to be in that place and time, yet most would fall short. He did not and for his actions, he will be remembered. A Cinderella story if ever there was one, based on merit not happenstance of birth or status in life.

Above all else, this reminds us that life is not just a participatory sport. I often feel that our society has lost that drive. We love dramatic comebacks and adore winners, but we also seem afraid for anyone’s feelings to get hurt. We don’t want to damage our kids’ fragile egos.

We do a great disservice to our children to have them believe that if they just show up, everything will turn out OK for them. Life is not that way and adulthood is not the time for that reality to first be introduced.

God has given each of us a set of gifts: qualities and skills. It is our task in life to put them to the best use we can, whatever they may be. When we do, we never know how much we can change the outcome. And that is the greatest lesson of all.

It was the classic example of Yogi Berra’s famous quote: “It ain’t over til it’s over!” The Patriots appeared to have made a great comeback and were on the cusp of victory. A few minutes of defense and they would have walked away with another ring. Then, the Sea Hawks made an incredible reception. With the team on the one yard line and the “Beast,” Marshawn Lynch in the backfield, Seattle was all but assured the win. Then at the last second, in a scene reminiscent of the 2013 “Iron Bowl” miracle play by Auburn against Alabama, the tide turned once again (no pun intended).

Perseverance and effort matter! No matter the situation, you never-ever give up. On the pass that brought Seattle to the brink of victory, the defensive back Malcom Butler had made a fantastic play to deflect a potentially game-winning pass…almost. It was tipped off his hand, bounced off Jermaine Kearse’s leg (twice) and ended up in the receiver’s hands.

Had Kearse simply accepted the fact that the play was over, Seattle never would have been poised to win. Instead he continued to bobble the ball until he secured it, all the while smashing down on his back and floundering around like a turtle on its shell. He never quit and was rewarded for his exertion.

It also demonstrated that there is justice in the world. Often it is long in coming and torturous in its path, but eventually things come around. In this case, the return was swift and decisive.

One play Butler walks away devastated after having done everything he could to break-up the play. That time his efforts had not paid off. Life isn’t always fair; fate conspired against him. Yet, two plays later, interception and vindication. Devastation to elation. Things had come full circle.

Malcom Butler’s story points to another very individual and personal lesson. It does not matter where you came from or your background; what matters is what you do in life.

His interception on the goal line made him the hero of the game. For that, he is a most unlikely candidate. Undrafted in the NFL, he started at a junior college and graduated from a relatively obscure Division II school. He deserves the accolades, not because of where he came from, rather for what he did.  When circumstances put him in the pivotal situation, he rose to the occasion.

Many of us would wish to be in that place and time, yet most would fall short. He did not and for his actions, he will be remembered. A Cinderella story if ever there was one, based on merit not happenstance of birth or status in life.

Above all else, this reminds us that life is not just a participatory sport. I often feel that our society has lost that drive. We love dramatic comebacks and adore winners, but we also seem afraid for anyone’s feelings to get hurt. We don’t want to damage our kids’ fragile egos.

We do a great disservice to our children to have them believe that if they just show up, everything will turn out OK for them. Life is not that way and adulthood is not the time for that reality to first be introduced.

God has given each of us a set of gifts: qualities and skills. It is our task in life to put them to the best use we can, whatever they may be. When we do, we never know how much we can change the outcome. And that is the greatest lesson of all.