“Leave it all out on the field”
a letter to young athletes…
In sports, we have a saying that you all have heard; maybe from your parents, different coaches you've had, or even a teammates of yours in the past... "leave it all out on the field." But what does that really mean?? I remember the first time I heard this phrase. It was my middle school football coach, he kept repeating that line as he clapped furiously, encouraging us right before a season defining drive in the championship game. What I understood the line meant was, "Go hard! Give it everything you have!" But, it wasn't until later in life, that I learned I misunderstood... and missed the greatest part of the quote! We ended up losing that middle school championship; a fumble on 4th down and goal. We were literally inches away from winning and completing an undefeated season. I was crushed. Almost 20 years later, I can still feel the pain I felt watching the kids on the opposing team celebrate, running off the field, screaming in excitement. Five years later, in 2007, I would lose a Division 1 National Championship game in to Appalachian State University, and 3 years after that I would lose another Division 1 National Championship game to Eastern Washington University. (I know, a lot of losing!) But I survived. I persevered. I learned. I grew. As I matured and gained more life experience, I learned that the "it" in the phrase, "leave it all out on the field" doesn't only refer to your effort level or skill. It refers to EVERYTHING; both the good and the bad! That loss? Leave it out there on the field. The anger? Leave it out there on the field. The stress from the lack of control/uncertainty you may feel surrounding the game? Leave it all out on the field. Sports are a microcosm of life. We can take the lessons we learn from sports and apply them directly to our everyday lives. I want you to remember that if you truly and honestly go as hard as you can, and do your best, whether in your athletics, or your academics, or any other part of your life, no matter what the result may be, don't stress about it! Fall back on the fact that you tried your best! As long as you revert back to that formula, I guarantee you, you will begin to experience more wins than losses and you will enjoy it all. Not because you are winning every "championship game", but because you are focused on your personal process of excellence more so than the results at the end!
