It has been a week since Super Bowl 49. The game was excellent; but for me the halftime entertainment and the commercials were average. But that is not my observation from the big game. I think a lot of people could learn lessons to help better themselves in their lives through some key events that happened.
This is not about Pete Carroll's play calling decision, though I would have run it. I grew up in a family that spouted the Woody Hayes philosophy to passing the football (Hayes was the long time head coach at Ohio State University). Hayes is quoted as saying that when you pass the football, "only three things can happen, and two of them are bad."
This is about Malcolm Butler, the New England Patriots defender who intercepted the Seahawk's pass in the end zone to secure the win for the Patriots. On my drive into work the day after the game, ESPN's Mike & Mike secured what I think may have been one of the first interviews with the newly minted football hero.
What struck me most about the conversation was the path that Butler had taken to get to the iconic game. He didn't get recruited by the big programs out of high school, didn't get drafted once he was done with college and didn't get the mega-signing bonuses that you see and hear about all of the time. Malcom Butler comes from very humble roots, and not that long ago.
The next time you visit a local Popeye's for some chicken, look around. Probably not the place you'd expect to find a Super Bowl champion, but that is where Butler found himself just a few years ago. After two years of high school football in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Butler attend the football powerhouse of Hinds Community College. And he was kicked out, and ended up at Popeye's working part time. Eventually he made his way to West Alabama, a division two football program.
When asked about his path to the Super Bowl, the ESPN announcers asked him if he ever thought that this could happen. His response was something everyone should pay attention to and try themselves. Butler talked about never giving up, and always striving to improve and get to the next level. That obviously applies to football players, but what about for you? For me? Too many times the obstacles in front of us can make it appear that the goal is just too far away, too unobtainable. Working at Popeye's after getting kicked out of school in 2009, it would have been easy for Butler to give up. But he didn't, and climbed the mountain to reach the ultimate in football.
But his amazing story isn't done with that!
In the interview on ESPN, they asked him about the iconic play which is considered by many as the greatest single play in Super Bowl history. Butler told the story of how they have practiced that very play during the week in preparation for the game. In fact, he failed in the practice and the scrimmage team beat him and completed the pass.
It is very important to practice. In sales, very few salespeople role play enough to practice their pitch and learn from their mistakes. But Butler did. The practice taught him what to look for, and he adjusted in the real game and made the catch that brought the championship to New England.
Never giving up and always strive to get to the next level in your personal development. Keep practicing and learning how to do your job or whatever the task right. Make your mistakes in practice so that when the spotlight shines you are ready to seize the moment.
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