Читать книгу Michigan Motivations - Cyle Young - Страница 19
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November 22, 1986: Michigan 26, Ohio State 24
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WOLVERINES were fresh off their first loss of the season to the University of Minnesota and headed to Columbus, Ohio, to face their archrival the Ohio State Buckeyes. Michigan still had high hopes for the season, and a win over Ohio State would mean a great deal to the team and coach Bo Schembechler.
The tone of the game had been set days ahead of the contest. A few days before the two teams met, Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh channeled his inner Joe Namath and went public with a prediction. “I guarantee we’ll beat Ohio State this Saturday. We’ll be in Pasadena on January 1. There’s no doubt in my mind about that,” he said.
Few athletes have gone on to back up what they say in public. Namath had been right when his New York Jets had upset the Baltimore Colts 16–7 to win Super Bowl III in 1969. In 1985, Larry Bird announced he would win the inaugural NBA 3-point shootout, and he did. And in 1963, Muhammad Ali rhymed, “It ain’t no jive, Henry Cooper will go in five.” The greatest of all time was right, and he won by TKO in the fifth round.
In 1986, Harbaugh went out on a limb and had to back up his words. During the game, both sides exhibited fantastic performances. Ohio State’s running back Vince Workman rushed for 126 yards on twenty-one carries, while quarterback Jim Karsatos was fifteen of twenty-seven for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Cris Carter hauled in seven passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns for the Bucks.
For the Maize and Blue, Jamie Morries slashed through the Buckeye defense for 210 yards on twenty-nine carries and two TDs. Then there was Harbaugh, who finished the game nineteen of twenty-nine in the air for 261 yards and the win. His offense accumulated a whopping 529 yards.
But the win was not a gimme by any means. In fact, Ohio State held a 7–3 lead in the first quarter. Karsatos connected with Carter on a 4-yard TD. The Buckeyes increased their advantage 14–3 when Workman galloped 43 yards for the score.
Schembechler made adjustments at the half, and his Wolverines took control of the final two periods. Harbaugh managed scoring drives of 85, 83, and 76 yards. With 1:06 to play in the game, Michigan had a 26–24 lead. Ohio State had the ball on the Michigan 28 and faced a fourth down. Coach Earl Bruce opted to attempt a field goal to try to win the game. But Ohio State kicker Matt Franz missed the kick, and Michigan won the epic battle. Harbaugh had been right on both counts: His Wolverines beat Ohio State and went to Pasadena in the Rose Bowl.
What guarantees in life have you made? Have you promised to spend more time with your children or that special person in your life? Have you met your commitments?
DESIGN YOUR PLAY
Maybe you have fantastic intentions, but life’s events have altered your plans. Maybe you told your son or daughter you would be at their game or recital and stayed late for work instead. Perhaps you promised to take your spouse to dinner and simply forgot. Life happens. That is no excuse, but it can be a reality.
EXECUTE YOUR GAME PLAN
You made plans for that special weekend with your partner or talked about a once-in-a-lifetime vacation or pledged to get the honey-do list finished—but time got away from you. The key to success is to follow through on your obligations as soon as possible. Don’t offer lip service to sound good, because that leads only to disappointment. Make a realistic vow, and back it up.
When you put off doing what you said you would do, it creates stress and anxiety. If a problem comes up, don’t make an excuse but communicate on a regular basis. Be clear about expectations, and always be honest. If you cannot meet your obligation, be up front and take responsibility. Be careful not to make too many promises. Harbaugh guaranteed only one victory, and he came through. Don’t go out on a limb too many times, because that limb will eventually break off. Commit yourself only when you are sure you can honor your word.
In the end, you must come through. No excuses. Have the mind-set to underpromise and overdeliver because that will score you big points and send you to the family Rose Bowl. Your kids want time with you, too, so come through for the ones who count the most. The after-work emails can wait, and your golfing buddies will understand. Family and commitments take priority. Go Blue!
What obligations mean the most to you? How do you ensure you fulfill them?
