The Comeback

The LSU Tigers won two games this weekend to go to the College World Series. In both games, they had to come from behind to win. This made me think of several other come from behind victories and the emotions that went with them. 

On December 7, 1980, the Saints led the San Francisco 49ers 35-7 at halftime only to lose in overtime 38-35. They were 0-13 going into the game, and while the first half of football looked to be a sliver of hope for the team, this game dashed our dreams. Following this game, the fans began wearing bags on their heads when they went to the game and referred to the team as "The Aints". The Saints would win their only game of the year the following week and lose the week after to finish with a league low 1-15 record. It would take seven more seasons before the Saints would finish with a winning record. While the Saints continually lost, the San Francisco comeback stuck in my heart. It was a devastating loss. 

On February 5, 2017, The Atlanta Falcons has taken a 28-3 league about midway through the third quarter. They would not score again, and the New England Patriots would win the Super Bowl 34-28. As a Saints' fan, we are bitter rivals with the Falcons. While not a fan of the Patriots, this comeback was a moment of jubilation. 

Games like this fascinate me. How a team responds to being ahead or behind on the scoreboard says a lot about a team.  

Some teams see that they have a big lead and play as if they have already won. They take their eye off the prize and start basking in their own glory. Other teams never quit fighting and believe that they can still win. They will fight until the end. 

Life can be that way. Sometimes things are going so well, that we forget what our goals we have. We live as if the small victories are just as important as our main objective. They may be important but only as a means to an end. Do not lose focus of your goals or your purpose. 

Maybe life has been nothing but hardships. That does not mean you should stop playing. It means keep your focus. Do the basic things that create opportunities and seize the possibilities that present themselves to you. Do not give up on your game plan, but adjust it when appropriate. 

Thinking too much or too little of ourselves can change the outcome of a situation. Fight the good fight. Finish the race. Keep the Faith.