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.   

 

The Big Game

If you enjoy watching sports, there is always the big game that you do not want to miss. It does not matter if it is the World Series, the NCAA National Championship game, or the World Cup. For me, I love watching the Super Bowl. 

I love having friends over, each bringing food, and having a big party. The parties have ranged in attendance from 20 people to as many as 40. Many people that come do not even care about football. They come to be around the people and the fun.

This year, two of the teams that I hate were in the Super Bowl. I cannot stand the Patriots, and the Falcons are bitter rivals of my home team. However, I love the sport, so I watch the game regardless of the participants.

I remember watching many lopsided Super Bowls where the game was almost unwatchable. This year, it looked like that would happen again since the Falcons had taken an eighteen-point lead by halftime and extended that to a nineteen-point lead after three-quarters.

Despite not liking these talented teams, I must admit that the Patriots coach is in a league of his own when it comes to making adjustments after halftime. The team seems to remain poised and confident even when trailing by such a large margin. Then the work began.

In the fourth quarter, the Patriots score a field goal, then a touchdown with the 2-point conversion, then another touchdown with the 2-point conversion. This ties the game and for the first time in Super Bowl history, the game goes into overtime.

On the first and only drive of overtime, the Patriots win with a touchdown.

If only everyone had confidence where despite the odds, he or she knew overcoming would be possible. Confidence is something we need to instill in ourselves. We must find a way to flip that switch from doubt to belief. 

We need to forget about past failures and look forward to success. We need to learn to put aside the negative things which others have said and start focusing on the positive. Strengthen your weaknesses. Work within your strengths.

Do not be overconfident, but do not sell yourself short.

One player does not win the Super Bowl. It takes a team. Rely on those you trust but remember that not everyone has the same goals.

Confidence does not ensure victory, but adding work to faith makes it a lot more attainable.