Strength....from Weakness?

Would you believe someone who told you that true strength comes from weakness or would you think they were talking in circles? I know I did, I didn't quite understand what the deal was there.

Strength from weakness? Hmmm...

So, because of Christ, I am pleased in weakness, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:10

The very idea that someone would be pleased in weakness is counter-intuitive to athletes or competitors alike. The mind set is that the stronger person wins. How can you embody weakness
and still project a strong competitive spirit?

I think I understood it better watching coach Tony Dungy as he projected strength, class and dignity during the low points he faced as his team went on their Super Bowl run. He lost a son as his team was winning games. It would have been easy for him to succumb to the weakness he must have been feeling during those days. But he projected the strength that was the hallmark of his book Quiet Strength. I wanted to know where he found this amazing strength.

Admitting that you are weak to sin or temptations and need strength is always the first part of becoming stronger spiritually. Once we surrender ourselves to Christ we allow him to take control of us and our heart, mind and spirit. This recognition of our initial weakness leads to strength.

We need to learn how to embrace our weakness as an opportunity become stronger and use our strengths for higher purposes.

STRENGTH - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. - Ephesians 6:10

COACH DUNGY AND "QUIET STRENGTH"

ONE OF THESE COACHES IS A WINNER - AND ONE IS A LOSER - ANY QUESTIONS???

This story really illustrates what is wrong with the MSM, talk radio mentality we have today in sports and politics as well. The part of the story that received the most attention, the most airplay was Coach Dungy's closing remarks as reported below:

Then someone asked if anything happened last season that he wished he could include in the book. What followed was vintage Dungy. He seized the opening. He brought up the videotaping scandal with the New England Patriots.

"We talk about how important it is to do things the right way and have integrity so that when you do win, people can never ask that question," he said. "That's the great thing that I'm happy about with our team.

"Yes, we won. But no one is really going to ask, 'Did they cheat? Did they do things the right way?' I think our record speaks for itself and if you're a true champion, that's the way you'd like it to be."

Now as I read it, he did not mention the Patriots directly, but I agree with his message entirely. I think it is a joke how virtually every mouthpiece and talking head has put the whitewash to the Matt Walsh tapes saying they didn't reveal anything new, they didn't have any impact on the Patriots Super Bowl, etc. etc.

Well, there was new information in that they were taping the offensive signals as well. That was new information. They taped a team before an AFC Championship Game. The argument that it had no impact begs the question posed by those who do not accept the "steroids don't help you hit HR's" argument, "Then why did they do it?"

I suppose they did it because "everybody else was doing it". I'm not sure why everyone else was doing it if it didn't work though. I'm still having trouble reconciling those two arguments. Besides, like my Mom used to say, "If everyone else was jumping off a bridge, would you jump off too?" You gotta love a Mom's wisdom.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

The Patriots and Belli-cheat must have thought it would help or he would not have committed valuable team time and resources in doing it. THEY CLEARLY THOUGHT IT WOULD HELP. They weren't taping these signals for posterity. Or if the opposing coaches all forgot their own signals they could just requisition the Patriot for their tapes and they could re-learn them.

I think it's time that we institute the same types of disclosure rules that we impose on analysts and CEO's when they go before the media and talk about a particular stock or company. They have to completely disclose any relationships they have with the company that could cloud or impact the information being dispensed.

So before these talking heads pontificate and editorialize about these issues they would have to disclose that "my station is a corporate partner of the NFL". Instead, we get the nonsense that these ass-clowns are legitimate reporters who would never let buckets of money cloud their stated opinions. Or that of their bosses. Give me a break. I believe the relevant phrase that describes the situation is "You don't shit where you eat". You might as well refer to ESPN News as the ESPN Spin and Promote our Corporate Partners Department. Those boys can spin a story like a top.

But don't listen to just my opinion. Here is the opinion of former Sports Illustrated journalist and author Rick Reilly before he jumped over to the dark-side that is ESPN. I'm guessing you won't hear nearly the same opinions from Mr. Reilly in the future. A $12 million dollar salary (hush-money) buys a shitload of silence:


RICK REILLY RELEASING HIS INNER NOAM CHOMSKY

After listening to that, every time I see Mr. Reilly on ESPN, I'm sure I'll be reminded of that joke that ends "....we know what you are, we're just deciding on the price."
(for those who are old-joke handicapped, it rhymes with bore, only with the H-sound instead of the B-)

And to the idiot ex-players on ESPN who say it makes no difference that the Pats taped (cheated): Why then when you played did you have signals and audibles in the first place? Why didn't you just go up to the line and, instead of barking out signals or pointing like spasmodic idiots, just yell at the defense "We're going to run a toss sweep to left and you can't stop us, you pansies." And then the middle linebacker could yell back, "That's fine bucket-head, we have a run blitz called, we're going to stuff your toss sweep right back up your butt."

It doesn't work that way because there is a large advantage in disguising coverages and blitzes, etc.

Oh and I love how the fall back argument is "Well who cares? Everybody was doing it."

I just love how these hypocritical idiots pick and choose how and where to apply their ethics. Great lesson for the kids. Luckily for us adults, it seems as if the kids from Jefferson High School see through the mixed messages they're getting. They should be applauded for that.

What gets lost in the story is the impact that Coach Dungy still has among Tampa's youth and he's not even the current football coach of the local team. The impact his book has had on that group makes Dungy a Hall of Fame coach and a HOF human being. That's why he'll always be a better coach, unless you only look at wins/losses, Super Bowl rings. And even that metric can be deceiving.

I'm glad to see the book get it's just due as well. I've mentioned the book before here and it's listed as one of my favorite books, I would give it high marks. It is one of the best books I've ever read by a coach. Like a John Wooden, Dungy doesn't just teach the sport, he doesn't just build the skills of the players he coaches, he builds the inner strength and character of the individual.

That's what great coaches do. It's clear that he and Coach Bellicheat move in different circles and operate from opposite ends of the spectrum ethically and morally.

Of one of the two, you can say great coach, great person, great character, WINNER. Only one. The other one will be defined using the exact opposite word.
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http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/may/09/sp-dungys-quiet-strength-gets-jefferson-students-f/?sports-columns

Dungy's 'Quiet Strength' Fires Up Jefferson Students
By JOE HENDERSON
Published: May 9, 2008

TAMPA - Both sides of the Jefferson High gymnasium were packed with stomping, cheering, chattering students early Thursday afternoon. They weren't there for a pep rally or a big game, although you couldn't have guessed that by how excited everyone seemed.

They were there because of a book.

Tony Dungy's book.

"This is a little hard to believe here," he said with a look that suggested he wasn't quite ready for how big this had become. "When we wrote the book, you hoped it might get into the hands of young people and maybe have an impact for good, but to hear how the whole school here read it and how it turned out - it's overwhelming."

(click on the link above to read the entire article)

FROM 18 & OH TO 18 & OH NO: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE PATS

We have only one story. All novels, all poetry, are built on the never-ending contest in ourselves of good and evil. And it occurs to me that evil must constantly respawn, while good, while virtue, is immortal. Vice has always a new fresh face, while virtue is venerable as nothing else in the world is.” – John Steinbeck, East of Eden
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In the great classics of literature we see that evil often triumphs, but never conquers. By definition, triumphs and victories are short-term in nature. That's the nature of any title, any victor, any champion. There will be another one next year or next game.

When something is conquered, it generally remains conquered forever. Because of the G-Mens' mind-set, the Pats were unable to conquer the Giants, even though they defeated them weeks earlier. They simply refused to be conquered.

The ancient Greeks believed that good and evil are not necessarily found in a good man and an evil man individually. We tend to believe that we as individuals are either good or evil, and that there is a large moat or impenetrable wall, separating the two that we cannot and do not cross. However, history shows, over and over again, that the potential to do good or to do evil lies in all of us and there is a continual struggle for dominance between the two and the victor often depends entirely on the situation or the environment in which we find ourselves .

All men act with what they perceive at the time to be good intentions and it is this dynamic struggle between the two forces--the contesting polarities in our nature-- that gives life's drama vitality and meaning.

The issue is less often whether the good man will triumph over the bad man, but whether good will triumph over evil within the hero.



It's why we watched the game and why, as I predicted, this would be one of the most watched Super Bowls in history. Given the compelling story lines, two large media markets, it could not help but be anything else.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080204/ap_on_en_tv/super_bowl_ratings

NEW YORK - Very preliminary findings from 49 of the nation's biggest markets showed that ratings for this year's Super Bowl, with the New York Giants' thrilling win over the New England Patriots, were up 6 percent over last year's big game, according to Nielsen Media Research on Monday.

Experts say those numbers indicate the game has a strong shot at being the most-watched Super Bowl of all time, and the second most-watched broadcast ever.
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Another two universal teaching moments were put on full on full display for all the sports world to see. The first was after Plaxico's prediction (not a guarantee) of a 23-17 victory.

The media then dutifully reported that Tom Brady, perhaps still flush with excitement from his practice romps through the fields of Giselle, was "upset" that Plax only gave the Pat's credit for scoring 17 points. Of course, it was not widely reported that Plax picked one of his past uniform numbers (23) and his current uniform number to arrive at the predicted score.

Real scientific, obviously he put a lot of though into it. Almost like when you take a girlfriend or wife to the track and she wins by picking the winning "horsies" by the silk colors, or the horse name, and just cleans you and your "scientific systems" clock. But I digress.

It turns out that Plax was being more than generous in his assessment of the Pats offense, little Tommy. So next time you are in this position, remember where your team's practice is. Maybe the ankle boot was really an excuse to get out of his team practices and play some touch football with Giselle. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I'm just saying it may have cost the Pats.

*****GRATUITOUS GISELLE BUNDCHEN PHOTO*****

GISELLE BUNDCHEN: IT MUST HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT FOR TOM BRADY TO CONCENTRATE ON FOOTBALL SUNDAY, WITH GISELLE IN HIS BOX. WAIT, IS THAT RIGHT?? NEVER MIND.



*****GRATUITOUS GISELLE BUNDCHEN PHOTO*****

Let's face it, I'm having trouble concentrating on this post right know. NFL coaches are going to have to re-institute the philosophy that was good enough for Mick, Rocky's trainer. No women, they take the legs right out of you. Yeah, but what a way to go, huh?

LESSON LEARNED: Play first: Win first, talk later.

The second example, is the Boston Globe's decision to publish a book titled, 19-0: The Historic Championship Season of New England's Unbeatable Patriots and released advance notice of said book in advance of the victory, as if that victory was a given. The book has of course been removed from the various distribution outlets. Too bad, it would go rather nicely with my Billy Ripken baseball card. I'll bet his brother wrote the message on the knob of the bat.



LESSON LEARNED: Play first: Win first, talk later.

OK then, maybe next time the Pats are in this position, they and their fans will know better. Although, I certainly would like a copy of that book. It's sure to be a collectors item.

The larger lessons on display were the Giants continued and undying faith in themselves as a team and their chance to accomplish great things, to make their own history.

I believe that this was very much a clash of good (Giants) versus evil (Patriots). The antics of Coach Bellicheat historically, forged that perception. And even if nothing comes of Congressional involvement or the continued digging by reporters who are enterprising and questioning, the Coach and those who follow him and apologize for his actions, have to answer a moral question for themselves. And they would have had to answer it even if they had won, and had completed the "perfect season" with the Spygate controversy currently swirling about them:

And that question is this:
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world, but lose your own soul? -- Matthew 16:26 and taken from the book "Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practice & priorities of a Winning Life" by Tony Dungy that ironically enough leads into the chapter of the book entitled "Race to the Super Bowl".

How rich is that? Like I have said many times before, you can't make some of this stuff up. You simply cannot write a better script.

Because, ultimately the larger lesson on display yesterday, and the answer to all those who struggle with the moral dilemma that revolves around the all cheating scandals and the issue of "What do we tell the children?"

We tell them this:
Keep the faith
Stay on the right path
Keep doing the right thing
You know the difference between right and wrong
Character Counts
Evil may win some of the battles but eventually, good wins the war
You ultimately want to be on the winning side

We tell them that yes, perhaps Coach Bellichick has three Super Bowl rings and Coach Dungy has "only" one, and that somehow by this measurement that appears to make Bellichick the better coach or the better man. We have to learn how to more properly measure success and how we keep score and define winners and losers, both on the field and in life. In the way I would keep score or measure success, Dungy would triumph over Bellichick by landslide or blowout proportions.

And that's why I thoroughly and completely and overwhelmingly enjoyed the Giants victory yesterday. It was truly a victory that transcended the scoreboard.

WAY TO GO GIANTS



Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

VICK PLEADS TO CHARGES

There are no winners in this situation unfortunately. Oh I'm sure in some ways PETA and the ASPCA will have some measure of victory for a cause they've been fighting to bring to light for many years.

But if some real good is to come from this, my hope is that young players on the collegiate and high school level realize that behavior is important regardless of who you are, that character counts. However, the coaches and administrators at those levels have to show the same desire to do the right thing as the federal prosecutors showed by swooping in before the Surrey County prosecutors had the chance to allow this crime to be washed away by using their "favorite-son" home court advantage with Michael Vick.

Now it's Roger Goodell's turn to show that his newly-minted conduct policy applies to star players as well as the 53rd man on the roster. If his policy is to have any teeth and any hope of modifying behavior, he has to show the same type of discipline he showed Pac-Man, Tank and Chris Henry. Because to my knowledge, other than Tank, nobody else went to jail yet for what they did to bring the NFL wrath down on them. And like Tank's time-out, the Vick punishment has to run consecutively with the federal sentence, not concurrently. If it runs concurrently, it will send the message that they aren't really serious, that there are two tiers of rules, one for the marquee players and one for the replacement parts. Watch what they do, not what they say. It's was easy to say they wanted to be tough on bad behavior when the player was easily replaceable. Let's see how easy it is now.

Finally, on a side note, it's my opinion that unless Vick gets some serious psychological counseling and maybe some spiritual counseling, that there is no chance that he comes back, never mind as a player, but as a person. I see all the talking heads speculating on "How soon will he be back?" instead of focusing on what kind of person will he be when he does get back? How are we going to go about changing the heart and mind of a person who would do the type of things that were done without conscience and remorse? It's always easy to be sorry after you got caught. Something is wrong in the heart and the soul of a person who would do the things he would do when he thought nobody was looking. When he thought he wouldn't get caught.

But he has taken the first step on the road to rehabilitation and gaining back the respect of the fans. Some are focused on what he's lost. A lot of money, endorsement, prestige and fame. And yet when I heard he had taken that first step, I heard the words from Tony Dungy's book "Quiet Strength: Principles, Practices & Priorities of a Winning Life" running through my mind.

"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?"
--Matthew 16:26

Michael Vick needs to focus not on the world he just lost, but instead on finding his own soul. I hope at sometime during his rehabilitation that Michael hears those words and understands those words. Because at that point he will have taken the most important step back. Peace.