Flashback Friday: Football Coach Motivation

I often talk about my beloved father, who went to coach a great football team for God three years ago. I miss him a lot at this time of year, when football programs all over the country are gearing up for their seasons. A new year to motivate potential greatness.

So lately, I have been feeling kinda blah and needed some attitude adjustment. What does any awesome Daddy do? Even after he is no longer with us? He comes to you in a dream and reminds you that he has given you so many opportunities to listen to not only his motivational talks, but to many of the football greats from his life. He reminds you of one in particular.

My Daddy was a season ticket holder to The College of William and Mary football program since before there were season ticket holders. Until his death, there were not many games that he ever missed. He was a fixture. He had the pleasure and the honor to get to know all the coaches who passed through this highly academic athletic program. Yes, there are schools where academics come before athletics and W&M is one of those.

From 1969-1971, one of those coaches was the great Lou Holtz, former Notre Dame University and South Carolina University football coach. The College of William and Mary was where Mr. Holtz would essentially begin his coaching career. My father got to know the young coach and followed him through his career. Dad would not only introduce me to Mr. Holtz, but repeat many times the quote that Coach Holtz would impart to those that needed to hear his words.

Those quotes have played an important part of my life numerous times over. When I need a pick me up or a kick in the rear, I recall the pearls of wisdom that Mr. Holtz spoke.

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song."

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"Coaching is nothing more than eliminating mistakes before you get fired."

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"I think everyone should experience defeat at least once in their career. You learn a lot from it."

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"It's not the load that breaks you down. It's how you carry it."

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"Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it."

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"The man who complains about the way a ball bounces, is likely the man who dropped it."

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"No one has ever drowned in sweat."

I feel a lot better, don't you? Don't you want to just get out there and get the job done now? I never would have imagined that a little girl hearing the ramblings of those men would carry them in her soul for so many years...but I did. The legacy of the words imparted on me is worth more than anything material I could have received after his death.

Thanks Dad. You will never know how much I was really listening. Hey, by the way...can you send me down a couple of lines of any upcoming games?

This is Home Girl and I just love college football.