Читать книгу Michigan Motivations - Cyle Young - Страница 15
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November 20, 1976: Michigan 20, Ohio State 0
ROB LYTLE LED THE WAY as Michigan clinched its first Rose Bowl appearance in four years by thumping rival Ohio State University 20–0 and sharing the Big Ten title with the Buckeyes. The tailback from Fremont, Ohio, plowed his way through the OSU defense and rushed for 165 yards. He could not be stopped.
For Lytle, this was a typical game. Many called him one of Michigan head football coach Bo Schembechler’s favorite players, although he’d had to earn this distinction.
During his freshman year in 1973, he was the eighth tailback on the Wolverines roster, but his coaches noticed his reputation as a hard-nosed running machine. They liked his driven mentality and toughness.
As a sophomore in 1974, he was the team’s second-leading rusher with 802 yards on 140 carries for an average of 5.7 yards. He got the nod at fullback his junior year and was the second-leading rusher with 1,030 yards on 193 carries (average: 5.3 yards) in 12 games.
His senior year, he shifted to tailback and led Michigan to a Big Ten Conference Championship title. The Wolverines finished 10–2 and ranked number three in the Associated Press Poll. He led the team in rushing with 1,469 yards on 221 carries, scored fourteen touchdowns, received a selection to the first team All-American, and placed third in the Heisman Trophy voting.
While wearing Maize and Blue, Lytle set a school record with 3,307 yards rushing, which wasn’t broken until five years later. He carried on his football career in the NFL as a Denver Bronco, receiving the forty-fifth pick overall in the 1977 draft. Over his seven-year career, he ran for 1,451 yards and scored fourteen touchdowns. He was the first player to score a touchdown in both the Rose Bowl and the Super Bowl. Lytle died in 2010 but was posthumously inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
Who is the Rob Lytle in your life—that person who stands out, pushes forward, and always gives it their all, no matter what? How did that person go above and beyond, and how did that benefit you?
LOOK OVER THE DEFENSE
Does someone you know deserve public accolades or recognition? Perhaps a teacher or coach meant a great deal to you, and you never thanked them. Like many people, you assumed they did not want acknowledgment or were “just doing their job.” Maybe you feel like you’ve taken a loved one for granted and want to convey a special message to them before it’s too late.
Perhaps the person you want to thank lives with you or close by, or maybe they are hundreds of miles away. No matter how near or far, take the initiative to find someone who deserves your gratitude and show them your appreciation. Don’t procrastinate any longer, or else when they’re gone, you will have to live with the regret of never telling them. You’ve thought about it for a while, and the time for action is now.
GO FOR THE PYLON
You can show your gratitude in many ways. Take note of the person’s birthday and send a card or gift. Social media is nice, but a handwritten letter adds a personal touch. You can also send a Christmas or holiday card. When you allocate a few moments of your time, it will mean a lot to the person on the receiving end. Invite them to coffee or lunch. If the person lives close to you, take them out to brunch as a sign of appreciation. If you run into them at the coffee shop, buy their drink. Realize that the little things matter.
If the person you want to show thanks to is part of your immediate family—your spouse, your children, your parents—tell them how you feel every day. When I became a father in my midtwenties, I realized just how much my parents had sacrificed for me. In return, I got into the habit of checking in on them on a regular basis. I cut the grass for my dad often, and I took my mom shopping and ran errands for her when she became older. I did this not out of guilt but out of gratitude.
Rob Lytle gave his all for Michigan fans. He played hard and sacrificed daily in workouts and practices to perform well. In the end, he was posthumously inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, so he did not get to receive his ultimate reward for his dedication. You have the opportunity today to tell someone special what they mean to you before it’s too late. Go Blue!
Is there someone who deserves your gratitude? Think of three people and act today!
