Winning isn't Everything

Football can bring out the worst in all of us. Growing up in Alabama, I was taught two things from birth - God and Football - and not necessarily in that order. As I travel the country, I try to explain to people the rivalry between Auburn and Alabama but it is really difficult to explain. I will have to admit that in the past several years I have not really paid much attention to Auburn. Ever since we adopted James, my priorities changed. I still enjoy it but I don't spend the money nor do I lose any sleep over it like I once did.

Growing up, that was a little different. For many in my home state, football is a culture more than a game. Even in Michigan where my national headquarters is located, the Michigan and Ohio State rivalry doesn't quite compare to the angst that the Alabama/Auburn rivalry brings out in people from the South.

The only other place that I know of that takes football as seriously is in the state of Texas. Not so much the professional or college levels - but the high school. Friday Night Lights (movie and TV mini-series) is based on high school football in Texas. It is truly a culture.

That makes this next story that much more important. It is about what is really important in life. It is about giving up some of your own pride to serve others. Here is the money quote from the article: "You are just as valuable as any other person on planet Earth." Click on the link to read the remarkable story about two football teams who came from very different backgrounds and one coach who dared to do the impossible to add value to the lives of these young men.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373

Johnny