For those who know me, I'm an avid sports fan. I like most sports. Depending upon the event, I watch my share of baseball, football, golf, basketball, hockey, etc. To be very honest, though, I have never been a any kind of a NASCAR fan. I have tried but a race of 500 miles just can't hold my interest so I, usually, wait until about mile 495 to watch a major race. This applied to the past weekend's Daytona 500. I figured I would wait until about a couple of laps were remaining and, then, I would be there to see the finish.
Turns out I wound up seeing history and something, in my opinion, that can do nothing but good for NASCAR. Jeff Gordon was out.....Jimmy Johnson was deep in the pack......Junior wrecked just prior to my tuning in. So - up steps this 20-year old rookie who was only driving in his second NASCAR event and, in a thrilling finish, wins! What a story - best exemplified by his remark after the race while driving off the track ' "Where Do I Go Now - I've never been here before!" 20 years old....the youngest ever to win the Daytona 500. Trevor Bayne showed us that even NASCAR can come up with a great story. I noticed that the attention being paid to this win and Trevor himself stretched well beyond the normal NASCAR fan. Even my wife showed interest in the story and she is about as interested in NASCAR as our little dog (as a matter of fact, the pup did show some interest toward the end, waking from his nap to stare at the TV.). On a weekend when the NBA All-Stars were showing off (literally) their talents in LA; on a weekend when Major League Baseball Spring Training got underway in earnest; on a weekend, when the NFL owners and the Players Association started their negotitiation joust, NASCAR took center stage. Hats off to you, Trevor Bayne. Don't be a flash in the pan and this could be a year long story! Just what NASCAR needs to bet back into total prominence.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The Best "Rules" I Know
Had to share these with you from one of my all-time idols, Vince Lombardi. Applys to all of us. Feel free to pass them on:
The Lombardi Rules
Adapted from
The Lombardi Rules: 26 lessons from Vince Lombardi
1) Ask Yourself Tough Questions
Answer the question of purpose. Am I going to let my life be controlled by the crush of daily activities or will my purpose prevail over the demands that never cease to cry for attention?
2) Expect to be Observed
Whether you like it or not, you're being watched 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People will know who you are by what you do more than by what you say.
3) Write Your Character
The word “character” is derived from old world concepts of engraving and inscribing. Character doesn't blink. It means seeking truth, finding and keeping faith, practicing humility and showing respect and compassion for others. Learn from hardship. Identify your heroes.
4) Total Commitment
The Latin root for commitment is "to cut away from," like an incision. When you commit to something you are cutting away all your other options. 100% effort, 100% of the time is what it takes to win.
5) Work Harder than Everybody
Do more than somebody else is willing to do and you'll end up winning. "Run it again" wasn't just something I said to the team, during practice, it was the way I lived my life.
6) Be Prepared to Sacrifice
Without pain, turmoil, commotion, anxiety, stress, and tension, there is no growth, no change. You must pay the price. You've got to pay a price for anything that's worthwhile.
7) Be Mentally Tough
Be willing to hold to your goals in the face of pressure and stress. Mental toughness means seeking out the pressure that can't be avoided anyway, and being energized by it. It's not the ability to survive a failure; it's the ability to come back stronger from failure.
8)Explain the Whys
Always start with why, not how. "I never tell a player this is my way, now do it. Instead I say, this is the way we do it, and this is why we do it."
9) Act, Don't React
- Study the past, live in the present
- Continue Learning
- Seize the moment
10) Chase Perfection
You will never get there, but you'll end up with excellence because you chased it. Chasing perfection is both a necessary and frustrating part of life.
The Lombardi Rules
Adapted from
The Lombardi Rules: 26 lessons from Vince Lombardi
1) Ask Yourself Tough Questions
Answer the question of purpose. Am I going to let my life be controlled by the crush of daily activities or will my purpose prevail over the demands that never cease to cry for attention?
2) Expect to be Observed
Whether you like it or not, you're being watched 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People will know who you are by what you do more than by what you say.
3) Write Your Character
The word “character” is derived from old world concepts of engraving and inscribing. Character doesn't blink. It means seeking truth, finding and keeping faith, practicing humility and showing respect and compassion for others. Learn from hardship. Identify your heroes.
4) Total Commitment
The Latin root for commitment is "to cut away from," like an incision. When you commit to something you are cutting away all your other options. 100% effort, 100% of the time is what it takes to win.
5) Work Harder than Everybody
Do more than somebody else is willing to do and you'll end up winning. "Run it again" wasn't just something I said to the team, during practice, it was the way I lived my life.
6) Be Prepared to Sacrifice
Without pain, turmoil, commotion, anxiety, stress, and tension, there is no growth, no change. You must pay the price. You've got to pay a price for anything that's worthwhile.
7) Be Mentally Tough
Be willing to hold to your goals in the face of pressure and stress. Mental toughness means seeking out the pressure that can't be avoided anyway, and being energized by it. It's not the ability to survive a failure; it's the ability to come back stronger from failure.
8)Explain the Whys
Always start with why, not how. "I never tell a player this is my way, now do it. Instead I say, this is the way we do it, and this is why we do it."
9) Act, Don't React
- Study the past, live in the present
- Continue Learning
- Seize the moment
10) Chase Perfection
You will never get there, but you'll end up with excellence because you chased it. Chasing perfection is both a necessary and frustrating part of life.
Friday, February 4, 2011
There Is No Tomorrow!
For the past two days, we here at 97.3 The Eagle have broken from our normal programming schedule to ask you to help the kids at St. Jude Children's Research Center and become a Partner in Hope. We know how tough it is to listen to all of this. Today is it...so if you haven't become a Partner in Hope, please think about it and call 1-800-335-9793 or go to www.eagle97.com to donate online - $20 a month on your credit card is all we ask. I'm a Partner in Hope and so is my wife and, this year, our little one (now 12), at dinner Wednesday night, asked me about the Partner in Hope, how much it was, etc. Then she asked me where she could find an envelope. 10-15 minutes after dinner she shows up with a sealed envelope in her and and writes "St. Jude's Donations" on it, hands it to me and said that this was her donation to be a Partner in Hope for a month - a $20 bill (from her own money) was in there. She explained that she couldn't do it every month because she didn't have enough money. Needless to say, her mom and I looked at each other and smiled, although I was having a difficult time holding back the TEARS of joy. I know that God opened up "The Book of Meredith" (her name) and put a big Gold Star in it.
Our child is healthy, thanks to God and I can assume that yours is so we are both very thankful! Let's remember those who aren't and help them today. If a 12-year old can understand the significance of helping the kids at St. Jude, then it shouldn't be any problem for any of us adults. 1-800-335-9793. Thanks!
Our child is healthy, thanks to God and I can assume that yours is so we are both very thankful! Let's remember those who aren't and help them today. If a 12-year old can understand the significance of helping the kids at St. Jude, then it shouldn't be any problem for any of us adults. 1-800-335-9793. Thanks!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Some "Big Game" Thoughts
All of us this week are subject to, no matter what we watch or hear, Super Bowl hype.........oops...or should I say "Big Game" hype. Not sure whether I used that name for personal gain or not. First of all, can the NFL lighten up a little on that? Hey, fellas, realize that every time we mention that game by its rightful name, we've added to the brand you've created. You should be proud not litigious! I'll say it one more time - SUPER BOWL!!!
Now, about the game.......what a classic matchup. Two long standing franchises - one family-owned and operated since day one and the other fan owned and operated since day one. No "fat cat" owners or conglomerates to get in the way. Two teams from the original NFL. Nice to have that for a change.
Seeing that this game is being played in Dallas, Texas was, originally, ridiculous to me because, I believe, the Packers and Steelers must play in cold weather. These are cold weather, "frozen tundra" teams. Have to play in frigid conditions! Well, lo and behold if D/FW isn't being hit with an unusual cold front/ice storm. I see the Lord and I agree. Unfortunately, the NFL wants to make the "experience" a comfortable one, so the roof on Cowboy's Stadiun will be closed for the game. Well, there goes that idea.
Another thought - did you see the quotes about concussions from Steelers wide receiver, Hines Ward. If you haven't, go to GQ Magazine's web site and read them. The man makes alot of sense. In a nutshell, he says if the NFL REALLY cared about concussions, they would require players to wear special helmets AND they would provide insurance for them for their lifetime, not just while they play. On top of that, he thinks the fine money for these helmet-to-helmet hits should go to an NFL veterans fund to help ex-players who have retired. Hines Ward for commissioner!!! Profound stuff.
Finally, who wins? Steelers 23-17. Hope you have a great Super Bowl...er.....Big Game party!
Now, about the game.......what a classic matchup. Two long standing franchises - one family-owned and operated since day one and the other fan owned and operated since day one. No "fat cat" owners or conglomerates to get in the way. Two teams from the original NFL. Nice to have that for a change.
Seeing that this game is being played in Dallas, Texas was, originally, ridiculous to me because, I believe, the Packers and Steelers must play in cold weather. These are cold weather, "frozen tundra" teams. Have to play in frigid conditions! Well, lo and behold if D/FW isn't being hit with an unusual cold front/ice storm. I see the Lord and I agree. Unfortunately, the NFL wants to make the "experience" a comfortable one, so the roof on Cowboy's Stadiun will be closed for the game. Well, there goes that idea.
Another thought - did you see the quotes about concussions from Steelers wide receiver, Hines Ward. If you haven't, go to GQ Magazine's web site and read them. The man makes alot of sense. In a nutshell, he says if the NFL REALLY cared about concussions, they would require players to wear special helmets AND they would provide insurance for them for their lifetime, not just while they play. On top of that, he thinks the fine money for these helmet-to-helmet hits should go to an NFL veterans fund to help ex-players who have retired. Hines Ward for commissioner!!! Profound stuff.
Finally, who wins? Steelers 23-17. Hope you have a great Super Bowl...er.....Big Game party!
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