Let me tell you something: losing is no fun. I can promise you nobody wakes up, puts in endless hours of work, blood, sweat and tears to lose. It’s never anyone’s end goal. But every competition has one. When all’s said and done, there’s a winner and a loser. This weekend I sadly found myself on the losing side.
I didn’t see it playing out this way. I suppose I may be biased, but I was envisioning confetti angels on the field. I dreamt of parading down Broad Street in the great city of Philadelphia. I planned an outfit for the celebration of winning the Super Bowl. I was looking forward to coming home to neighbors who decorated our driveway and home. I couldn’t wait to walk my dog and hear all the congratulations as we passed one another.
I am ashamed to admit I may have become a tiny bit cocky. Having a regular season of 14-3 can do that to a person you know. I fear I listened to outside voices more than normal, because, honestly, it’s really hard to ignore all the hype. If it’s not on the evening news, or filling my social feed, it’s being forwarded to me by well-meaning family and friends. I may have even worn my after-party bracelet ticket on my wrist before the game even began! All these are what I refer to as rookie mistakes. I should have known better, but the glitz and glamor of being in the Super Bowl got the best of me. I sincerely apologize.
As games go, it was close. A tremendous competition right down to the final seconds and then just like that, it was over. As the Kansas City Chiefs confetti was slowly descending down on us, so too was my sadness. Sad for the players who fought up until the last second. Sad for the coaches who missed seven months of family dinners and important life events. Sad for a city that was so looking forward to the parade of a lifetime. Sad for all the devoted fans. Just plain sad. And of course, sad for the all the families who support the football program. Sad for the coaches and player’s kids who had crocodile tears running down their cheeks. Sad for the spouses whose hearts broke for the person they love.
Notice I didn’t say angry or mad. Not here for that blame game either. Yes. there may have been a few questionable referee calls. Or a play call or two we would take back. But we played a talented team and darn it all, we were the team that came up short. I get that none of us wanted this, but let’s please keep this in mind: we got here. Those same humans who got us here are the same ones who lost. All the comments, opinions, would haves and could haves do not matter. It’s done. Just please, be kind with your words.
Those young men who wear numbers across their backs are hardworking, dedicated people. They are employed young men earning a living. Their career of choice places them in the spotlight. The players I know and love use their platform for good. Always making time to help in anyway they can. Hell, a few of our offensive linemen even made a Christmas Album this past season and raised over a million dollars for Philadelphia based organizations who make a difference.
And don’t get me started on the coaches. They are in the office before the sun rises and long after it sets. They miss family birthday celebrations, dinnertime, bedtime rituals just to name a few. Basically, they miss the everyday life of their own families to teach, instruct, mold and mentor other people’s children. Okay, so they aren’t actually children, but I’m sure you get my point.
And finally, I will leave you with very powerful words from the young man who leads our team. He is wise beyond his years, a true team player and an honor to follow into a battle. After our painful loss he met with the press, part of his off-the-field duties. He was poised, professional and poignant.
“You want to cherish these moments with the people that you’ve come so far with, your family, your loved ones, your teammates, your peers, everyone that you do it with and do it for. I’m so proud of this team. I would say I’m so proud of this team for everything that we’ve been able to overcome. Obviously, we had a big-time goal that we wanted to accomplish, and we came up short. I think the beautiful part about it is everyone experiences different pains, everyone experiences different agonies of life, but you decide if you want to learn from it. You decide if you want that to be a teachable moment. I know I do.” Jalen Hurts
I do too Jalen,
