Friday, December 17, 2010

BUILDING A CASE

INTRODUCTIONS PLEASE




Marv Levy was an excellent professional football coach, enjoying much success in both the CFL and the NFL, where he left a lasting impression with Buffalo Bills of the early 90’s. He brought a very cerebral and scholarly approach to the game. From using the wing-T at Kansas City to the ‘K-Gun’ offense at Buffalo, he was not afraid to challenge the conventions of NFL coaching. Despite all his achievements, I dare say what he is most known for is, along with Bud Grant of the Minnesota Vikings, a coach who lost 4 Super Bowl games with the same team: Side note: since there will be some talk about fate, destiny, ordination here, during one of these runs, the Bills overcame the largest halftime deficit in NFL history to beat the Houston Oilers, who used the ‘run and shoot’ offense. Not only that, the quarterback who led them on their comeback, Frank Reich, also led the University of Maryland to a victory against the University of Miami (yes, THAT  University of Miami… the one in Ohio is Miami University!) in the largest comeback victory in NCAA history!



Anywho… it is a shame that the appreciation for Coach Levy is somewhat muted because he got to the big game and lost. A couple of times his teams were blown out. But during the stretch that the Bills were going to the Super Bowl, they would suffer one of blowout loss and somehow manage to make it back the very next year. Let that sink in for a second. They got knocked out but struggled back to the big stage the very next year. Takes a lot of character to have managed that, wouldn't you say?  Four times he and the same core players went to the Super Bowl and they lost each time, a couple of them were blow out losses.  But of course, everyone knows that 'no one circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills!'


Michael Vick’s little intro is going to be more subjective as I am trying to create a certain ambience with this post… put things in a certain perspective that may push boundaries and hopefully cause for a little reflection.


I did not like Michael Vick because he reminded me of the mustard seeds that were my antagonists in childhood. The cat from Kronk who my Mom wanted to win his fights more than she wanted me to win in my own? Not only did he not fully achieve as an amateur, getting beat in the Olympic Trials and pu**ying up in a few other major tournaments, he never got it together to ever fight as a professional. He was not the only great underachiever that I knew, far more deserving of me of the designation ‘fail’. Mike Vick character, his ‘swagger’ at Virginia Tech and when he was an Atlanta Falcon continually reminded me of the mustard seed story from the Bible. He fought his own potential to be something more than what he was at the time and indulged himself until finally, his life collapsed all at once.



He offended me because he was at once supremely talented and simultaneously being a jacka**. He seemed to revel in his 'ghettoness' but having gone through his well-known conviction, he has become a better football player by actually applying himself and getting the most out of his talents. Also in his profiles and media appearances he has shown contrition and said ‘all the right things’. I do happen to think that he is sincere, but he has only been out for what, a year-and-a-half. Judging on what he has shown in those snapshots and on the field…

As for the third person in the introduction, you have been reading this for a little bit, haven’t you? Anywho, I am hard on myself but I never think that I am hard enough. Introspective perhaps to a fault, and dizzy with CTBI, among other things that I am ‘dizzy’with. Adventurous, brave, and willing to push himself as far as possible, still trying to get things together so that he can get to that place where the sun sets on the horizon… or something like that…


I HAVEN’T FORGOTTEN…

I will get to the SFC sooner than later. But what I get from my connections from these examples is…
… I have gotten up and gotten knocked down in the big game or semi-finals before. Got into the big game and lost (1st marriage) gotten to the ‘conference finals ( both Delta and Mookie Dee got rings… with Tee Jay, that was the next logical step before our failure) and as ‘prolific’ as the run and shoot was, it could not get beyond a certain level (though as for that, the run and shoot Detroit Lions DID make it to a NFC championship game!). Oh, and there is the possibility that despite limited talent and/or ability, a big comeback or two my future!


Also, I understand that no matter what I do that there are some people who will be offended by some of my choices. I have done some pretty lousy things and how I have worked them out is something for me, the principles and (insert whatever name or diety or whoever is applicable for you and your belief system) to work out. Thing is, redemption is not dependent solely on the forgiveness of others. Forgiveness is something I believe you give first to yourself. If not, how can you give it to others?

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Exactly. Love yourself. My Grandfather - a man of few words - used to say "YOU are the most important person you know."

What follows does not refer to YOU - but to the general 'you' at large.

It's easy to lose yourself in others. Your kids, your loves, other people in general, begin to assume a high and important place in your life and you begin to lose sight of 'you'. And when life kicks you in the teeth enough, and you don't get the kind of support and help you need from all those others you've given all that power to, then it becomes easy to sink below the waves - drowning in self doubt, depression and self pity. It happens because people forget to look inside and recognize the true value that lies within. They've forgotten how important they are - to themselves.

Babz Rawls Ivy said...

Forgiveness does indeed begin with self. Redemption is not about what others think of you, but what you think of you. I have learned this lesson. These last several years have been overwheling on so many levels and yet I remain standing and smiling and joyful. Oh there were dark days and times of great uncertainty, but I have pushed on.

I have no opinion of Mike Vick. I do know that we all deserve the best for ourselves and God's grace falls on the just and unjust alike.

I am wishing you a very Merry Christmas! and a Happy Happy Happy New Year!

Toon said...

And now Vick wants a dog. NO! You cannot. Not yours!
I don't give second chances to animal abusers

Sarcastic Bastard said...

The last two sentences of this post are so TRUE.

You are very wise, my friend.

Love,

SB

Anonymous said...

You are hard enough on yourself...too hard. Stop that
;o.

Anonymous said...

That is so true.

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Ken Riches said...

Absolutely we need to be able to forgive ourselves, it is the only way to stay sane sometimes.

Ken Riches said...

Absolutely we need to be able to forgive ourselves, it is the only way to stay sane sometimes.