My favorite time of the year is the fall when college football begins with the unfettered excitement, displays of team spirit and the rivalry of longtime opponents jockeying for another year of bragging rights.
As a fiercely proud graduate of the University of Michigan, I “bleed” maize and blue, can sing the fight song on demand and routinely shout utterances like “Go Blue,” “Crush Buckeye Nuts” and “I love being a Wolverine.” My son, daughter, former wife, brother-in-law and I are all graduates.
By the way, U of M massacred Hawaii, 63 – 3 last Saturday and are predicted to win the Big Ten this year. Sorry Ohio State fans, this is our year!
Naturally, I was glued to my big screen television last weekend when the season opened. In fact, all three of my televisions were on so I wouldn’t miss one down of action. Stunning upsets by Wisconsin over Louisiana State and Houston over Oklahoma confirmed something my godmother always told me.
If you want to succeed, if you hope to find victory in life, the first thing you must do is “get in the way.” In other words, you must prepare yourself and then insert yourself into the field of action. That’s what young college football players do. And they believe that despite rankings and the abilities of their opponents, on any given day they can beat the odds and emerge victorious.
So while you may be viewed as an underdog, there’s always a chance for you to reach new heights, do the “undoable” and overcome perceived obstacles, surprising everyone except yourself.
I love college football and the zeal of its young players. Watching those games reminds me that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
Believe!