Why we play the game - life?

All the greats have been here

This week's superbowl was a blow out, the game settled early. One team and fans elated and another team and their fans deflated. In general most people were rooting for Payton Manning and still taken back by the rudeness of Richard Sherman. Winning doesn't change that, but it shows again defense wins championships. The game's lopsidedness was re-mindful of the Bears winning the game in 85. Different from rudeness the Bears were bold and daring as they sang the Superbowl shuffle. In the game they were stronger, faster, and at every point dominate. Seattle's game was the same. On the run of the Bears like Joe Namath's prediction in Superbowl 3, they had fun. I think Seattle did too. Richard Sherman's tantrum leaves a bad taste in my mouth, the smell of it is fowl, the touch is cold and harsh, the sound and sight of it speaks for itself.
The 85 bears long since retired remain heroes in Bear lore. They will always be the team bigger than two coaches and as big as the city with broad shoulders. Seattle will have their heroes too. Sherman as talented as they come, will get other opportunities. Will he learn and man up? If he does he too may be the better.
I came across a quote John Wooden was used to saying and his players never forgot it. "When the great scorer comes to Mark against your name, he writes not that you won or lost but how you played the game." Grantland Rice I think that is largely forgotten by today's athlete. Every athlete if he or she stays in the game long enough will face defeat. Y.A. Tittle ends his career bloodied and broken, Johnny U on the bench. Brett Fayre cold and old looking, Ali can't punch back, Michael Jordon can't get back to the championship. Defeat is part of the game. For a champion and competitor it will come back to how you played the game? No one is perfect and in our youth and strength we may have be unwise at times. If the game somehow didn't challenge us and made us better for the process; we may have forgotten why we play the game. Somewhere between the joy of it and the lessons learned is the balance. Keep walking.