I know you don’t need to hear about the Super Bowl from me. You can go to espn or nfl.com for an analysis of the plays and the players. I never watch the half-time show – that’s my time to schmooze with my hostess. So what can I possibly say about football’s biggest night?
Even what I am going to say is not really new but – as a friend of ours once said at an academic conference, “Everything has been already said but it hasn’t yet been said by everyone!” – but I think it is relevant to all of our lives and shouldn’t just be left on the football field, so to speak.
Let’s face it. Most of the game was pretty boring. Neither offense was making spectacular, exciting plays. Defense was the name of the game. As my son kept telling me, with the wisdom of a football sage, “A good defense always trumps a good offense.” (Maybe he’s eating his words!) While often true, it doesn’t make for a particularly interesting game. And the one player, Patrick Mahomes, from whom we expected the big plays, the drama, the spectacular passes, was seemingly MIA.
“He’s young,” I said to my husband as we tried to match his age, 24, with one of our youngest children. “He’s inexperienced.” “He’s probably very nervous.” “He’ll mature with time…” I was feeling sorry for him, empathic, a little parental…
And then, contrary to my expectations (I even sent a text to my aforementioned son saying “this game is over”) he rallied and after 3-1/2 dismal quarters, led his team to victory. I was looking for spectacular and I got it. I turned away for a minute and missed a touchdown! But again, you don’t need me for any of this.
What struck me about the Kansas City victory and the play of this quarterback was the way he kept his head. In a world of oversized expectations and sense of entitlement, of immediate gratification, the frustration quotient is very high. Among all generations but particularly the young, if success isn’t immediate, we tend to quit, or blame others. We pound the ground in frustration and throw very adult-size tantrums. I see it all around me. Bad grades on a test, a missed college acceptance, a blown job interview, a relationship gone awry – frequently we (and our offspring) don’t have the resilience, the flexibility, the get-up-and-go required to keep pushing forward.
And that’s a shame. Because that is really a crucial trait for success in life. And that seemed on display Super Bowl night. Yes, Mahomes is a professional but he’s also a kid. It would have been easy to give up. We would have understood. “He choked,” we would have said. “It was too much for him.” “He’ll grow into it.” We would have excused him the way we excuse our children and their friends – and even ourselves.
But he didn’t. He kept his head and literally rallied his troops. And we need to do the same. We need to train our children and ourselves to get back on that proverbial horse, to not give up so easily, to not let frustration control us.
And to keep working. After last year’s loss, Mahomes apparently called his trainer about restarting his workouts – immediately. He didn’t curl up in bed and moan and groan about life’s unfairness. He got back to work instead.
And so there really is something important to learn from this year's Super Bowl (I need to rationalize the time spent sitting watch sports!) – and I’m not even discussing his constant praise of his teammates, his apparent lack of if not ego, certainly egotism.
Life is going to throw us curveballs, challenges aplenty. The mark of our character is how we face them – head on with courage and trying to move forward putting our best self out there – or giving up in frustration – or, even worse, blaming others.
Patrick Mahomes’ has some God-given gifts – but it’s his choice what he makes of them; it’s his choice to make the most of them no matter the circumstances. And we all have the same choice. Even though millions aren't watching us, the individual stakes are still the same.
(8) Anonymous, February 6, 2020 3:07 PM
nice comments but why didn't he at least stand still during National Anthem.
I watched the opening ceremonies and never once did he place his hand on his chest of=r area of his heart during the anthem. He could not even stand still. To me this is disrespect of the country he resides in.
When Hatikva was played in Canada after a presentation a few months ago every person including the clergy stood up and stood still. Those who knew the words could be seen singing. That is respect for a country. I no longer feel I should respect or patronize people or activities where respect for this country is not shown. I have cancelled my ticket subscription to football games because of this, My money can be spent elsewhere linke to Diskin orphanage in Israel. I may not see a game in person, but I know the children I am helping have respect for our homeland.
(7) Shlom Grabowitz, February 5, 2020 11:20 PM
Well said! Let’s see if your Steelers have what it takes to get there next year. ?. Go Pats!
(6) Alexandra, February 4, 2020 9:24 PM
Great article, todah rabah
(5) Anonymous, February 4, 2020 7:46 PM
Looking out for number 1
Great article. I am sending it immediately to my 19 year old, drop-out of university son who parities all night, spends my money and sleeps till noon-time while life passes him by. Time to come up with a plan; consider options; and focus on the task at hand.
Harry Pearle, February 4, 2020 8:06 PM
Football and Life are Team Sports (Tell your son)
Thank for your honest sharing of your concerns for your soon,
We can't all be winners in the Super Bowl, but we can work at teamwork, more.
Football depends on quarterbacks, but also on the whole team, the coaches, the fans, etc. (Jewish lineman Mitch Schwartz, helped). And so it is in life.
Let me also suggest the Aish.com "Super Bowl Halftime Torah" comments,
on Aish.com. Search for this and listen to the audio advice given.
I also suggest the "48 Ways" of Rabbi Weinberg, online.
Fred, February 5, 2020 5:20 AM
Why?
Why do you give your son money? Do you see yourself as a failure if you throw him out? Likely so. Do HIM a favor, throw him out. Your job now is to suffer while he finds himself. Harsh? You’re way is obviously not working, give mine a chance.
Harry Pearle, February 5, 2020 4:19 PM
Throw out, Fred's advice! Check out Torah advice, from Mrs. Braverman, etc.
How easy it is to listen to the advice of others, like, Fred. But why?
Why not contact Mrs. Braverman and others for Torah guided advice?
Your son may have study motivation problems, which may have remedies.
See my blog: www.SavingSchools.org
(Yes, the Torah mentions rejection of a wayward son, Deut. 21.18,
but perhaps what it is suggesting is that "unorthodox" methods may help.)
(4) Alon Barak, February 4, 2020 6:21 PM
And who did Mahome elevate
Wow, what an amazing young man. He spent the evening crediting his teammates, coaches and his family! But not first. He began saying The Lord be praised. Yea. Kids listen up! We will never see James Mahome start a game by taking a knee. He’ll stand up for God, Family and Country. Where did he come from????
(3) Sam, February 4, 2020 5:07 PM
Great takeaway
Emuna, what a great takeaway from an otherwise fairly unmeaningful game. (And great rationalization of time wasted!) Will try to incorporate the lesson into day to day challenges! Thank you
(2) Anonymous, February 4, 2020 3:09 PM
Resilience
For real world application of resilience skills outside of sports, you would enjoy reading, "My Father the Fish, Rendering Life's Hardships Spiritual", a memoir by Lorri Danzig. You would also appreciate her blog at lorridanzig.com
(1) Anonymous, February 4, 2020 12:20 PM
You go, Emuna!