Is Our Life A Numbers Game?

It's been awhile since we've talked. Count on these to be a little more frequent from here on. Thanks for your patience, in the meantime.
By now, you should know that I'm a huge sports fan and, at different times during my career, I did some work for various sports teams. My most memorable "stint" was with the NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks in their pre-Mark Cuban days. I have a longer history with Mr. Cuban being his very first ever web streaming client. KLIF, Dallas, started it all for him......so, was there any question as to whom I was rooting for in the NBA Finals? It's still takes me back just a bit when I precede the Mavericks name with "NBA Champion". I was there when 15-20 wins in an 80-game season was more than the norm than an aberration. I saw when this team started builidng itself. Above that, I saw the philosophy they were beginning to build on - the philosophy that got them a championship - teamwork! No one player was above any other. Every one had a role and a backup role and they all were integral part of an improbable championship run. Before his ownership, Mark Cuban exexmplified that with the way he treated his web clients and carried that over to his team.
The Mavs' coach, Rick Carlisle, spoke of success versus fulfillment after the big win. Each player achieved some level of success in the league and their careers up to that point but none were able to fulfill that ultimate dream until this past Sunday. They went up against a Miami Heat franchise with two (maybe three) of the most talented players in the NBA today against one aging star and 11 other "spare parts". What ensued was a "star" who looked at more of himself as part of a bigger team framework going against three all-stars who hadn't figured out how to reach the mountain top as a unit.
The Dallas Mavericks fulfilled their ultimate dream by relying on each other through the good and bad times. They believed in each other. They leaned on one another. They had confidence and each other's ability knwoing , if one player was out of step another would step up. They believed in the fulfillment. "Strength in numbers" is what one player epitomized as the ultimate reason for the Mavericks' win.
Thetre is no question that we can learn from this event with our jobs, our friends, our family, our faith! We can't do any of this alone. NONE of it. Yes, we will experience individual success but that only happens for that moment in time. Our ultimate fulfillment depends on how we build our relationships over time and how we incorporate tjem into our life. If we approached our lives as the Dallas Mavericks approached an NBA Championship, all uf us......we may see the world around us as God meant it be when he put it all together. There's definitely "Strength in Numbers".

FINALLY, An INteresting NASCAR Story

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.

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.

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!

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!

Can We Please Stop Trying Find Someone to Blame?

This past weekend, Tucson, Arizona became the center of attention when a lone gunman, apparently seeking out a Congresswoman from the state, shot and killed 6 people and wounded 14 at a shopping center. A horrible event, to say the least. In its aftermath, I heard, not only the country sheriff, but various news agency talk hosts blame the conservative media and the Tea Party movement for being one of the causes for this sad day. You have GOT to be kidding me! When a tragedy like this occurs, we all want someone to take responsibility. But - for anyone to lay some of that on the media makes the whole thing a bit far-fetched. Why then should we not indict Hollywood for producing films highlighting deranged individuals? How many times have we heard of a tragedy that is linked in that way? For some reason, Hollywood appears to be exempt.
Bottom-line, this was one deranged individual who committed a heinous act. He wasn't provoked by the media, Hollywood or any particular organization. He had one target and he was obsessed with that. He was not a conservative. He was not a liberal. He was just one sick human being. Let's just leave it at that and not get carried away.

One Example of What We All Can Do

By now, you are pretty much aware of the story of Ted Williams. No, not the Hall of fame baseball star. I'm referring to the homeless man who stood on a street corner in Columbus, Ohio asking for help with his God-given talent of a good voice. Millions of YouTube views later, this guy found himself on network news shows, morning radio shows and mulling over several job offers including one very lucrative one with Pro Basketball's Cleveland Cavaliers which included a mortgage paid on a house. No one knew this man two days ago. Now, he is probably the biggest story of this young year, thus far. Here was a man down on his luck, homeless, suddenly seeing his life make an unexpected, enormously successful turn. Why? Because hundreds of people came up with job possibilities for this man. Hundreds of thousands wanted to help in some way. So - my question is this: Why can't we do this for other folks down on their luck as Mr. Williams has been? I'm not just talking about out of work radio DJ's. I'm talking about that 9.8% who are unemployed in our country. What if we joined together for those folks as we did for this man? That 9.8% would be considerably less, wouldn't it? Various organizations seemed to be able to find an opening for this man so maybe there are others who can do the same for the rest of the out-of-work population. Think about the possibilities. No need for government intervention.....we do it OURSELVES (thank you, Bob McNeill). Don't know any better reason as to why we are here, do you?