Is leaving it all on the field enough? The answer is “no” and “yes.”
Our Stillman Valley football team came up an interception short on Friday. With under a minute to play, Stillman began a drive to win a state championship. Quarterback Dane Green first completed a pass to running back Nate Bond.
Green then delivered a downfield strike to Bryce Dixon. Dixon has been sure handed all year, whether holding for the kicking game or receiving. He brought Green’s pass in and got out of bounds. Stillman was seven yards from knocking a win through the uprights.
But, hopes of a game winning field goal ended when Illini West’s Ser Whitaker picked off a Green pass.
No one can question whether Stillman left it all on the field. They did. The effort of the 2010 Stillman Valley team is still on the Big Ten turf of Memorial Stadium.
The question is, “Was leaving it all on the field enough?”
On the one hand, where football is concerned, the answer is “no.” If you don’t believe me, just ask the players. They will agree. Just playing hard in the state championship isn’t enough.
Some might counter, “Well over time the loss will soften and the players will accept it.”
I don’t think so. Not this group. In fact, I’ll bet you if they live to be 98 years old it still won’t be enough. I’ll be long gone, but if you see one of them in 80 years from now in a retirement home, ask him if it was enough to play hard in the 2010 State Championship. Duck when you do because he will probably his chuck his bingo card at you for even suggesting it.
For the record, I’m with them. I’d throw my bingo card too.
But there is football, where leaving it all on the field is not enough, and then there is life. And, where life and character are concerned, the answer to the question is a different one. Was it enough to show character and resolve and grit, to never give up until the final whistle? The answer is, “yes.” Representing our community, playing in front of our state, it was more than enough. We couldn’t be prouder.
And, if our football team can take such character and apply it to whatever is next for them. If they can pursue the development of Christian character with such energy and commitment. Then it will be enough in life too. Those same qualities will serve them well, even 80 years from now playing bingo in a retirement home.
