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Michigan Motivations. Cyle Young
Читать онлайн.Название Michigan Motivations
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isbn 9780253048233
Автор произведения Cyle Young
Издательство Ingram
The men of Michigan couldn’t give up at the end of regulation. The hard-fought battle wasn’t over. No player and no fan would be happy with losing in overtime. The Wolverines had to rally every ounce of effort and continue the improbable come-from-behind victory.
In the first overtime, the teams traded field goals. Double overtime brought a pair of touchdowns and sent the rivalry into its first-ever triple-overtime game. No matter which team came out on top, the game would live in MSU/UM lore for generations. But the Michigan players weren’t going to settle. The season was at stake. Their state pride was on the line.
The offense fastened their chinstraps and strutted onto the field to start the third overtime. Henne found Edwards yet again, giving Edwards his third and final touchdown of the day. Michigan pulled ahead 45–37. If the defense held, sighs of relief would be heard all over the Lower Peninsula.
It did.
Michigan won in triple overtime because they wouldn’t give up. They fought until the end. Every coach and every player pulled together for a victory for the ages. Even when the stadium seats had begun to clear early in the fourth quarter because the Wolverines trailed by 17 on their home turf, the team still held together. They wouldn’t be deterred, and they wouldn’t let the Spartans upset them at home, in front of their crowd.
Have you ever faced almost certain defeat and managed to pull out from behind? Do you have a team you can rely on to push you through to the win?
BEAT THE ODDS
We all go through times in life like this. Sometimes when we expect things to be an easy success, they just don’t go our way. A surefire win can easily be clouded by a potential defeat at home, at work, and in other areas of your life.
But you can overcome an adversary and have the final victory. Whether your struggle is against a person or a situation, you can get back in the game. Even if the odds seem like they are stacked against you, there’s always the possibility for success if you are willing to work hard, fight hard, and overcome. But remember, the victory may not come easily. You might have to win it in the third overtime.
MOVE ONWARD TOWARD VICTORY
Fasten your chinstrap: Get back in the game! If you feel that the odds are against you at home, at work, or in life, take a deep breath, swallow your pride, and take your first step toward victory. You can overcome!
Ignore the doubters: When winning becomes an uphill battle, the doubters will be standing at the ready to watch you fail. Your true fans—your spouse, your children, your extended family, and your truest friends—will be waiting to support and celebrate your success. They will always believe in you, so you should believe in yourself also. Go Blue!
What do you need to overcome? Who will be there to help you win?
Del Duduit
October 10, 1981: Michigan 38, Michigan State 20
MICHIGAN WAS DOWN 20–16 IN the third quarter to unranked Michigan State.
Both teams were playing for the honor of winning the Paul Bunyan Trophy, which had been a tradition since 1953. The trophy is a large, four-foot-tall wooden statue of legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan that sits upon a five-foot base. The trophy design is in recognition of the state’s history as a producer of lumber products.
The Wolverines entered the contest 3–1, while the Spartans struggled to have a 1–3 record. A win over Michigan on the Spartans’ home turf would make up for their slow start.
But Maize and Blue running back Butch Woolfolk made sure that did not happen. He led a comeback in the second half, and Michigan whipped off 22 unanswered points to win the game 38–20.
Woolfolk enjoyed the best game of his storied career. He carried the ball an impressive thirty-nine times for 253 yards. After the game, Wolverine coach Bo Schembechler, who had a hot-and-cold relationship with his player, called him one of the best backs in school history.
And it came as no surprise. Woolfolk started the season in 1981 with five straight games of 100 or more yards. He led Michigan to a 9–3 season and a 33–14 Bluebonnet Bowl win over UCLA. In that game, he gained 186 yards in the victory and was named Most Valuable Player. Although he was awarded the game’s highest honor, he said the only thing he would remember about the contest was that it was his last game as a Wolverine.
For three consecutive seasons, Woolfolk was the team’s leading rusher. During his sophomore year, he earned 990 yards. The following season, he tallied 1,042 yards with eight touchdowns. But in his final year, he blazed the ground for 1,459 yards. On average, he gained an astonishing 5.2 yards per carry.
Woolfolk was known as a power runner, but he also whipped off long gains. Such was the case in 1979 when he darted 92 yards against Wisconsin. Two years later, he bolted 89 yards, again against the Badgers.
Woolfolk was an All-American in 1981 and first team All-Big Ten for three years. He also won the Rose Bowl MVP in January 1981 when Michigan defeated the University of Washington Huskies 23–6.
Woolfolk was a workhorse who carried the load for his team. He ran with a mission and got the job done.
Do you pull your weight around your home or workplace? Do you operate as a team player?
REVIEW THE PLAYBOOK
Are there areas in your life where you can make some adjustments? Perhaps you tend to complain about situations instead of focusing on the positive. Maybe you shift blame to others when unpleasant circumstances arise. You are human, and it’s easy to point a finger, especially if you are not the one who made a wrong decision. But your actions and attitude can have an impact on those around you. Do you add to their burden, or do you help lighten their load?
CARRY THE LOAD
You may never get the opportunity to run for 253 yards against one of your rivals, but you can carry the load in your own way for those who depend on you. It all boils down to taking responsibility and doing what is expected of you.
The first step is to own your thoughts, actions, and words. You alone have the ability to control your thoughts and what comes out of your mouth. Be a good role model and talk like an adult. Never blame others for your actions. When you push responsibility to a family member or a business partner, you set yourself up as the victim, which lessens the chances of changing your situation. When you take ownership, you put yourself in a position to make alterations.
You can also carry the load when you stop complaining. When an event that is out of your control and impacts you in a negative way takes place, try to look at the big picture and learn from the situation. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges in taking on responsibility is to not take things personally. Most of the time, circumstances are not about you but about others. Think about ways you can make a difference. Always demonstrate good intentions, live in the present and not the past, and be happy. When you do these things, you will carry the load for those around you. You will look for the good in people and be more enjoyable to be around. Go Blue!
How do you contribute at home or at work? Do you carry your load?