Archive for the ‘Sports Stuff’ Category

5 Fun Football Facts

Posted: February 10, 2024 in Sports Stuff
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Hey Guys, here is a quick break from our normal Iron-Man-Strength.com Blog programming. It is almost that time of year when millions of Americans will all huddle around their monster television screens just to watch the Superbowl commercials…just kidding, I am sure many of you will actually be tuning in to watch the game. 

Either way, Superbowl 2024 is coming this weekend so I thought I would take just a few minutes break to provide you some Football Fun Facts I found online. Never wanting to plagiarize, I pulled this article from the website below and want to ensure I give them full credit.

I hope you enjoy and you can expect a new blog post soon-

AFI | American Football | 01/24/2023

https://upletic.americanfootballinternational.com

Are you a football fan? Then you’ll love these fun football facts! Football is one of America’s favorite sports, and it has been around for over 100 years. From the early days of leather helmets to today’s modern game with all its technology, the sport continues to evolve and bring joy to millions of people each year. 

Did you know that some teams have never changed their names since they were first established? Or that college players can be drafted from other countries? Here are some amazing facts about NFL football that will surprise even the most die-hard fans!

The New York Jets have never beaten the Philadelphia Eagles

The New York Jets have never beaten the Philadelphia Eagles, and this is a record that has lasted since the team’s first meeting in 1973. Since then, the Eagles have maintained an incredible 12-0 winning streak over the Jets. The two teams have met a total of 12 times in their history, and not once has the Jets managed to get the better of their cross-state rivals.

This impressive streak is not only one of the longest in NFL history, but it also puts into perspective just how dominant the Eagles have been against the Jets.

The longest NFL game ever was played in 1971

In 1971, the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs went toe-to-toe in what would be the longest NFL game ever. The two teams battled it out for a total of 82 minutes and 40 seconds, culminating with a dramatic field goal by Garo Yepremian to secure the win for Miami.

The game spanned four quarters plus an overtime period, making it one of the most exciting and exhausting games in NFL history. To this day, it remains the longest professional football contest ever played.

An NFL Kicker Once Won the MVP

Mark Moseley was an NFL kicker who made history in 1982 when he became the first and only kicker to win the MVP award. Moseley played for the Washington Redskins at the time and had a career-best season, converting on all but one of his field goal attempts. His consistent kicking helped propel the Redskins to an impressive 8–1 record in conference play, clinching them a berth in the playoffs.

The strike-shortened season created an utterly strange situation where a kicker of all people would win MVP in the nine games he played. This truly amazing feat is one of the most unlikely events to ever occur in NFL history, making it an amazing fact for all football fans!

Ohio State Has the Biggest College Fanbase

According to Sports Illustrated, the Ohio State Buckeyes have the biggest college football fanbase in the United States. This comes as no surprise, given that the Buckeyes are one of the most successful programs in college football history. The team has won eight national championships and produced dozens of NFL stars, making it a fan favorite for generations.

The Ohio State fanbase stretches across the entire country and continues to grow each year. The passionate fans create an electric atmosphere at home games, making them some of the best-attended events in all of college sports. Whether you’re a fan or not, it’s hard to deny just how impressive this feat is when compared to other universities around the nation.

Ohio is a gigantic football state in general, with the Bengals playing there. The Ohio sports betting market is huge, with its residents spending millions of dollars each year on NFL and college football.

The Super Bowl Wasn’t called the Super Bowl Originally

Originally, the Super Bowl was just called the NFL-AFL Championship Game. It was only after Lamar Hunt, the owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, coined the term “Super Bowl” that it became the name we know and love today.

As time went on, the Super Bowl grew in importance and popularity, and eventually, it was decided that the new name would become official.

The Super Bowl is one of the most important events in all of sports, and it’s amazing to think that it started as just a simple championship game with no real fanfare. Now, it’s one of the most watched sporting events in the world and has become synonymous with American culture.

And with sports betting now growing rapidly in the United States, the Super Bowl has also become the most wagered-on event on the US sports calendar.

American sportsbooks have been quick to pounce on the opportunities presented by the big game, using the Super Bowl platform to promote their features and best NFL betting offers.

Television advertising during the Super Bowl doesn’t come cheap! In fact, the event commands the most expensive advert rates on US TV.

Finally

These fun football facts highlight the amazing history of the NFL, as well as the impact that individual players and teams have had on the game. From impressive streaks to unlikely MVPs and even an unusual name change, these facts give us a glimpse into some of the most memorable moments in American sports history. 

Whether or not you’re a fan of football, these facts are sure to impress and provide an interesting look at how much this sport has changed over time. So next time you’re watching a game, be sure to keep these wild stories in mind!

Until next time Guys-

40 Interesting Facts about Football

Posted: August 20, 2016 in Sports Stuff
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NFL-football-players

We have been battling through a whole bunch of life stuff on this blog for a long time so I thought we might take a break this time and think about the great game of football. So in honor of this new season of the NFL, I collected 40 or so interesting and fun facts about this game we love. These are some great facts about football that I have never thought of before like who knew that the “G” on the Packers helmet stood for “Greatness” and not “Green”?

I hope you guys enjoy this post…

40 Interesting Facts about Football

  1. It takes about 600 cows to make one full season’s worth of NFL footballs.
  1. The Wilson Sporting Goods Company in Ada, Ohio, has been the official football supplier for the NFL since 1941. They make more than 2 million footballs of all sorts every year.
  1. A cow has only a 1 in 17,420,000 chance of becoming an NFL football that is used in the Super Bowl.
  1. Only two players have caught, rushed, and thrown a touchdown against the same team in the same game: Walter Payton in 1979 and David Patton in 2001.
  1. While football originally was popular in midwestern industrial towns, its growth in popularity around the U.S. is typically traced to the 1958 NFL Championship game, which has been called the “Greatest Game Ever Played.”
  1. Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett is the only player to rush for a 99-yard touchdown, in 1983.
  1. Just two years after finishing their careers, approximately 78% of NFL players go bankrupt.
  1. In 1892, former Yale star William “Pudge” Heffelfinger became the first recognized pro player when he accepted $500 to play for the Allegheny Athletic Association.
  1. Though football games usually last around 3 hours, the ball is typically in play for only 11 minutes. Around 56% of the game on TV is devoted to replays.
  1. In an NFL game, as many as 75 minutes, or about 60% of total TV air time (excluding commercials) is spent on shots of players standing on the line of scrimmage, huddling, or just walking around between snaps.
  1. Injured football players in televised NFL games get six more seconds of camera time than celebrating players.
  1. The average age of an NFL cheerleader is 25 years old.
  1. NFL cheerleaders typically make $50–$75 a game. However, by the time they spend money on makeup, hair accessories, dance classes, etc., they end up losing money.
  1. During broadcast NFL games, cheerleaders are on TV for only about 3 seconds. Coaches and referees receive around 7% of the face time in a game.
  1. An NBC’s Sunday Night Football producer says that he makes it a point to get Dallas cheerleaders on screen but “otherwise, it’s not really important . . . if it’s the Jets, I couldn’t care less.”
  1. In the 1930s, NFL game telecasts were simply a constant feed of the field. Instant replay became commonplace in the mid-1960s, which helped fill the idle moments of the game. By the 1990s, some football broadcasts showed about 100 replays per game.
  1. Deion Sanders is the only person in history to both hit an MLB home run and score an NFL touchdown in the same week. He’s also the only person to play in the World Series and the Super Bowl.
  1. The NFL has annual revenue of $9 billion, with a profit of 1 billion. MLB has annual revenue of $7.2 billion, with a profit of $49 million.
  1. The NFL consists of 32 teams, with an average team value of $1 billion. MLB has 30 teams, with an average team value of $523 million.
  1. The average game attendance for an NFL game is 66,957 spectators. For MLB, it’s 30,135 spectators.
  1. There are nearly 3 million sports industry jobs in the U.S, which is approximately 1% of the population.
  1. According to the California Avocado Commission, 12 million pounds of avocados will be purchased in the week leading up to the Super Bowl. On Super Bowl Sunday, Americans will eat 8 million pounds of guacamole.
  1. The Baltimore Ravens are named after Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven.”  The team mascots are named Edgar, Allan, and Poe. Poe wrote his famous poem while living in Baltimore in the 1830s.
  1. Though wings and pizza are the most popular Super Bowl snacks, around 11 million pounds of chips are eaten on Super Bowl Sunday. Additionally, around 4 million pounds of pretzels and 2.5 million pounds of nuts are eaten that day.
  1. Contrary to common opinion, the “G” on the Green Bay Packers helmet doesn’t stand for Green Bay. Rather, it stands for “Greatness.”
  1. Six teams in the NFL don’t employ cheerleaders: the Bears, the Browns, the Lions, the Giants, the Steelers, and the Packers.
  1. Super Bowl XLV was the first Super Bowl with no cheerleaders at the game because both the Steelers and the Packers don’t employ cheerleaders.
  1. The most famous NFL cheerleading squad is the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. They were originally a male/female group called the CowBelles & Beaux.
  1. The huddle was invented by Paul Hubbard. A legally deaf quarterback from Gallaudet University, he “huddled” other players together so he could hear them better and to protect them from the other teams’ prying eyes.
  1. The last scoreless NFL game was in 1943 when the Detroit Lions and New York Giants battled it out for a 0-0 tie.
  1. As of September 2012, the Dallas Cowboys were the highest-valued sports franchise in the history of the United States.
  1. The wealthiest team in the NFL is the Dallas Cowboys. They have an estimated value of approximately $2.1 billion and generate almost $269 million in annual revenue.
  1. The first recognized football game as played between Rutgers and Princeton Universities in 1869, using rugby-like rules.
  1. Red Grange was football’s first true superstar. He was one of the first athletes to sign endorsements. His games attracted record crowds and he also starred in several movies.
  1. American football has several names around the world. In Europe it’s called soccer, and in the U.K. it’s called rugby.
  1. The Miami Dolphins are the only NFL team in history to complete an undefeated playing season, in 1972.

37. The days when Super Bowl games are played rank second when it comes to the   highest American food consumption. The number one-day when Americans eat is Thanksgiving.

  1. NBA players earn a bit over $4 million. MLB players earn a little under $3 million. NFL players are the lowest-paid players, with salaries that average to less than $1.5 million dollars.
  1. Ronnie Lott had his left pinky amputated after the 1985 season. It had been crushed during a tackle on running back Timmy Newsome
  1. Antacid sales increase by 20% the day after the Super Bowl. Additionally, 6% of Americans will call in sick the day after

 

And finally…

  1. During Super Bowl halftime, there are an estimated 90 million toilet flushes. That’s equivalent to 180 million gallons of water flowing at once, or 3.5 minutes of flowing water on the Niagara Falls

 

True Greatness…

Posted: January 13, 2013 in Inspirational, Sports Stuff
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Over the last couple of years, I have been trying to convince a friend of my to guest post on the Ironman Strength blog…up until just recently I have been unsuccessful until now…My friend, Albert Gardner who is a Husband, a Father, and a leader of men has been moved by some athletes and coaches who have announced their retirement in recent weeks and he has decided to share his thoughts on the subject. I know you will enjoy his insight as he delves into the greater meaning of his post…

True Greatness     by Albert Gardner

baltimore-ravens-american-football-team-ray-lewis 10013981_HSGT_DLS_LOCAL_REACT_0105_

This past weekend, two football greats announced they were stepping away from the game they love, Ray Lewis and Bob Ladouceur. Though even the most casual of football fans knows of the name Ray Lewis, Super Bowl MVP, guaranteed first ballot Hall of Fame, He is not the one who defines greatness for me; Bob Ladouceur has coached De La Salle Spartan High School football team for the past 34 years by taking them from obscurity to national prominence…even dominance. Under his leadership, the Spartans have never had a losing season, in fact they’ve enjoyed 20 un-defeated seasons, established a record 151 game winning streak, and enjoyed an overall record of 399 wins, 25 losses, and 3 ties. Yet it isn’t the wins, or records, or trophies, or championships that make Bob Ladouceur great;

Coach Lad, as he is affectionately called by his players, has always loved coaching high school football. In his prior life, He had worked as a probation officer but his job brought him mostly frustration because he felt he was getting these young men too late to help them. He believed he had no affect on their lives. But high school, he said, gave him the best opportunity to do something of value, even saying once in an interview, “that he believed he had the most important job in the country, molding young men”. In the process of molding these young men Ladouceur built a dynasty but ironically he never focused on winning. He said they won because he emphasized doing things right. The Spartans “out worked” every team they played so as a result, they beat every team they played. But in Ladouceur’s own words, and the words of his players, “the Spartans didn’t win just because of their hard work, they worked hard and won because of their love for one another”.

That’s right, Love. He wrote about this in a letter titled “What is a Spartan?” A copy of this letter was given to each member of his 1998 National Championship Team and it was later published in a local newspaper in response to all the criticism of his winning program. In the letter the coach wrote:

It’s upsetting in so much that (the criticism) questions the integrity of school officials and coaches sworn to uphold the ideals of our founder St. La Salle. What’s worse, it completely nullifies the hard work, sheer grit and determination of our student athletes at De La Salle. Society has its share of pessimists and sceptics, many believe that success cannot be achieved without dishonesty. It’s hard for them to see our success and not assume that it was achieved by cheating, stealing, or just blind luck. But I don’t care what society believes. I know the truth and I sleep every night with a clear conscience.

He goes on to use words like “commitment, relationship, responsibility, accountability, and trust.” He speaks of being vulnerable and of the self-reflective process in which real growth can occur.I wish I had a coach like that. You may wonder if he personally walked the walk or just talked the talk or maybe saying one thing when the cameras were rolling, and another once they were packed up and gone? Here is your answer, current rival and former De La Salle player Patrick Walsh, recently weighed in on who Ladouceur truly was; “Coach Lad is one of the most important people who I’ve ever come across in my life,” Walsh said. “I’m thankful that my mom and dad paid the tuition and sent me to De La Salle and gave me the opportunity to meet a guy like Bob Ladouceur, who’s affected my life profoundly.” Walsh, a 1993 De La Salle graduate who ran for over 2,000 yards his senior season, gushes about Ladouceur. “Outside of my mom, my dad and my faith, just being a spiritual individual and believing in God, he’s next.” The quotes and accolades from former players to Super Bowl winning head coaches are too long to list, but his impact will not be fully measured in this life.

By now you may be asking yourself “What does all this mean to me?” I’m glad you asked. In his letter, “What is a Spartan?” Ladouceur quotes Jesus Christ and the parable of the talents, Matthew 25:14-30, he then concludes with this:

The assumption here, is that each of us has some sort of ability: talent. Now it’s our responsibility to discover what that is and what’s more, have the courage to use it.

I know most of us won’t be called to coach football, but I believe that if each of us will commit to using our talents humbly…Psalm 25:9, and courageously…1 Cor 16:13, we have no idea how far God will take us…Ephesians 3:20.

Just ask a retired Spartan, who just wanted to make a difference in the lives of a few young men….

Yep…True Greatness…

Albert Gardner, great contribution…thank you.

Until next time guys…

Life Lessons and Baseball…

Posted: June 30, 2012 in Father, Inspirational, Sports Stuff
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I am one of those lucky Dads who gets to go through Little League a second time because we have a young son that was born when I was a little older. I like Baseball and I like Little League. Baseball, like other sports, teaches kids lessons about life in a symbolic sort of way. It teaches them perseverance, to keep playing hard until the end of the game no matter whether they are winning or losing. It teaches them how to handle the adversity that challenges them throughout a game like when situations don’t go your way. But more importantly, it teaches them how to handle disappointment when a game slips away that you really wanted to win, like a championship tournament. Bottom line, the way kids are taught to learn to play the game of Baseball and to deal with the outcome of difficult games will be evidenced in their future lives by how they handle situations then…

But it all starts with a game…

As I mentioned before, I am going through Little League a second time with my second boy but because I am older now, my perspective on what is happening out there has changed. Don’t hear me wrong, I want to win every time we step onto that field but I’ve learned that I care more about what kids get out of the game along with the effort that they put into the game. Let me explain;

My goal, along with the other coaches, is to teach proper fundamentals of baseball; how to hit, how to throw, how to run bases, how to catch and then the best part, the situational aspect of baseball…In other words, What to do with the ball when it comes to you…The cerebral side of the game is the most fun for me because baseball is very much like a chess match between the two managers. Each one moving players to different positions and inserting players in order to put both the player and the team with the best chance for winning or make the most impact on the score…I understandI am explaining something you already know because that is the strategical side of baseball. Some people get this and some don’t care…

What’s different for me now is because I’m older, I care about the effect this game has on them. Simply speaking, like when good things happen during a game but i think more importantly, when bad things happen, like when the game gets out of hand… Because games produce adversity and losses are very hard to handle and if kids don’t learn how to “flush” a loss out of their head right away, they tend to drag it around like an anchor, always slowing them down and frankly, just making them sad.

I recently went though Little League’s, Tournament of Champions tournament for the minor division, ages 9-11 and I experienced the feeling of absolute euphoria as one of our boys hit a walk off grand slam to win the final championship game. Honestly, a once in a lifetime experience to come up to bat, down two runs with bases loaded and send one out of the park…incredibly amazing. Our team, along with the coaches, were able to experience the excitement of winning that game with everything on the line. This was truly..a win, or go home situation…but yet at the very same time, I began to put myself in the other dugout and wonder the magnitude of their feeling of loss. Needless to say, the post game handshake was filled with many tears as I went through telling each member of their team, “great job” I realized it was to no avail. They were inconsolable at that moment and as I watched their coach lead them to the outfield to have one more post game chat, I realized how critical his job was for those boys to help them deal with that loss. Honestly, they did everything right…they put themselves in a position to win but you can’t overcome home runs. It was checkmate.

So let’s bring this baseball game analogy to you and I…We have all played the games on the field our entire lives and now we are challenged with the game of life. Every single day we have ups and downs and as adults, we can’t let a business loss wreck our focus. I recently watched an attorney friend of mine lose a very difficult case in court, one that he prepared for, spent a great deal of time and money to win but he lost the judge’s decision…completely. Right now, my friend is a small ship floating alone in the big ocean. So far, he is unable to shake this defeat and move on…He can’t overcome the loss…

God never promised any of us that if we commit to Him there wouldn’t be any loss, pain or discomfort…but He did say there is rest and relief through Christ Jesus. In fact, Christ himself tells all of us in Matthew 11:28-30:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

To me, this verse helps because I know I am NOT alone on days when I feel like those boys did above after losing that big tournament game. Can you imagine finding peace or just simple rest when you’ve had your worst day ever? And guys, the peace and rest I am referring to here isn’t like anything you have ever felt before…

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Heavenly peace is WAY better and more effective than anything we have here on earth. Granted, the Bible tells us we have to seek Him…which means we have to DO something…we can’t just sit on our hands and expect Him to just fix our problems, otherwise how can we learn?

So my challenge to you today is simple. Teach your children how to overcome game losses and then translate that to your own life. Don’t let adversity or failure stop you from reaching the goals God has for you! If you get bucked off…get up, dust yourself off and get back on…

Do me one more favor, hold on tight, because it’s going to be a WILD RIDE!!

Until next time guys…

The Tim Tebow Phenomenon

Posted: December 13, 2011 in Inspirational, Sports Stuff
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I would be remiss in my self-proclaimed blogger responsibilities if I did not address what is currently happening in the world of sports today as it applies to NFL Pro football player, Tim Tebow…What is this Tim Tebow phenomenon that has the news media so infatuated? Why is it that not only the NFL, but our whole country, so highly opinionated about this young man? Now unless you have been out of the country for the last 15 months, then you know who I am referring to but Tim Tebow is taking the country by storm using a not so proven method called “I’m a Christian” as his public mantra. Yes…that is correct, Tim Tebow is a Christian man and he is not afraid, nor ashamed that the whole world knows that fact and that statement is the impetus for this blog post.

Over the last several weeks, I have watched his story unfold and I’ve been amazed at how the media is trying to grasp the issue of God and his faith in his life. As a Christian myself, they appear to be more like “fish out of water” when trying to describe how his relationship with God affects him and his play on the football field. I have heard him interviewed and I like his perspective because he says “God isn’t deciding who wins football games” and I agree with him. God doesn’t care about the game, he cares about the players and Tebow perspective, in my opinion, is right on. But to listen to a national media person try to interpret Tebow’s comments into a sports story, appears awkward at best. Moreover, to see the media sensationalize his story into one that pokes fun at him because he kneels in prayer on the sideline, is becoming all to commonplace with Tim Tebow.

Simply put, they do not understand, nor do they want to, the fact that a man of his skill set in football is sold out to his God. He has a personal relationship with his creator and he is unashamed to portray that part of himself to the world. On the other hand, the media just looks “out of place” or as I said before, “awkward” trying to describe who he is and I find that amusing. Contrary though, I watched Bob Costas, a very famous and award-winning journalist of many years on television, do an editorial report on Tebow. He reported the day’s game involving Tebow in the most accurate way I have heard thus far. He ended by saying:

Still, there is no doubt that Tebow and his team benefit from his honest belief. How? Frank Bruni put it well in today’s New York Times. Whatever Tebow may lack in classic NFL quarterbacking traits, he possesses other qualities in abundance. And in his case, those qualities — confidence, equanimity, optimism — and a presence that can’t be explained, but can certainly be felt. The whole Tebow persona derives from how he sees the world, and his place in it. Those qualities, no matter how one comes by them, are an asset, perhaps especially in sports.

“Other qualities in abundance”…I like that.

To make his story even more sensational, Tim Tebow is winning NFL games consistently with his unorthodox style of quarterback play that the critics all complained about when he was drafted out of Florida. These hard-core critics, including Former Superbowl MVP John Elway and current President of Denver Broncos, say his style will never win consistently, yet currently at the time of this writing, Tebow is on a six game winning streak and has the Broncos leading their division. But yet even Elway might become a believer too. He was recently on a local Denver radio station where he said:

“I think when you look at it I guess I just believe everyone believes that something good is going to happen. Tim’s been the guy that has led that thinking and he’s just such a strong believer. He’s got everyone else believing that if you stay strong, stay positive, that something good is going to happen. It’s the power of the mind and the power of positive thinking. I think when those guys are thinking that way and it’s been led by Timmy with that positive attitude that all boats have been rising with that. “I think he has rallied everyone around him which as you said is part of the leadership qualities that he and his ability as a football player but also as a man to really raise this whole organization and this whole football team to the point where it’s got such great belief that everybody is playing above their ability. I think that’s the sure sign of a great leader.”

The bottom line for statisticians, is that although keeping track of third down conversions is important and every other stat known to mankind, there really is only one stat that matters and that’s the score at the end of the game…

Bottom line to me is this…

Tim Tebow is an example for all of us, men and women, as to how to conduct ourselves in the eye of the public. To me, Tim Tebow is a great role model. He does himself and his family proud every time he speaks because he recognizes that his success on the football field is NOT about him, it is about giving glory to our God and that is his priority. His position on issues makes the media angry and frustrated for not giving them what they want, a quote that will stir up some controversy…He deflects their attempts to guide him down a path where they can get him to criticize another player or a coach. He is just a thankful guy…and I, for one, appreciate his public stance on God and wish him continued success both in his football career and life…

Until next time guys…

Muhammad Ali said it right…

Posted: July 28, 2011 in Inspirational, Sports Stuff
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We have all heard of Muhammad Ali. We know that he tended to be controversial because he was so outspoken. What I find interesting now is when you go back and listen to what he was saying, he knew who he was and what he wanted. Many of these quotes are truly inspirational. Bottom line, don’t let other people make up your mind about what YOU are supposed to do OR become…With Christ’s help, you can become exactly who He wants you to be…exactly who you are designed to be…Enjoy these quotes and a little commentary…

1. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”

Life is ebb and flow and most of the time you are relaxed, but every now and then you have to stick up for what you believe in. When that time comes…sting like a bee!

2. “If my mind can conceive it and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it.”

Stop procrastinating and live your dream…don’t put off what you can do and be right now!

3. “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

Impossible is a cop-out. Impossible is for people who like to live inside the box…I prefer to think outside that box…how about you?

4. “To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If not, pretend you are.”

Confidence starts with you…What can YOU do and what can YOU achieve…? You get to choose…

5. “What you are thinking is what you are becoming.”

If you are focused on what you can’t do, or the impossible, I can tell you what will happen…focus on your dream…

6. “Don’t count the days, make the days count.”

Life is too short to waste time on pursuits that don’t allow you to reach your mountaintop. Focus energy each and every day on reaching the next level…Every day do just one thing…

7. “What keeps me going is goals.”

Without goals, you are NOT accountable to yourself as well as how do you measure that you are going in the right direction. Goals keep you focused…Goals keep you motivated…

8. “I know where I’m going and I know the truth, and I don’t have to be what you want me to be. I’m free to be what I want.”

Life is about choices…You can be whatever YOU want…Make the right choices

9. “Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you’re going to be right.”

A friend of mine told me recently” Life is too short, drink the good wine first”…I like that.

10. “Age is whatever you think it is. You are as old as you think you are.”

I have found age to be only in my mind…I work hard to stay young….what do you do?

11. “If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, then they can sure make something out of you.”

I am NOT giving up on you…but you have to help…

12. “Silence is golden when you can’t think of a good answer.”

Another way to look at this is “when in doubt, shut up…”

So what do you think? I really liked these quotes and I hope you did too. Yea I know Muhammad Ali was a loud mouth that never stopped talking but he backed up what he said in the ring…and…after reading these quotes, it sounds like I should have paid more attention to what he was saying…

Guys, I included these quotes as inspiration towards facing a new day. I know you all are facing tough times like unemployment, or hours being cut or something worse. My words to you are don’t give up, keep on trusting in Jesus Christ for your life’s direction. He cares, truly cares and the best part, is he will never leave you OR forget you…No matter what your circumstances are, you are NOT alone…believe me…I leave you with these verses…

Psalms 91:9-16

If you make the Most High your dwelling–even the LORD, who is my refuge…then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Save me a Spot…Aaron Rodgers

Posted: March 10, 2011 in Inspirational, Sports Stuff
Tags: ,
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We are constantly reminded that this world is full of arrogant sports figures who love to listen their own press. Every now and then though, I am surprised when I get to read about a player who bucks the system completely. I did not write this story. This is written by a sports anchor from Fox 6 in Milwaukee whose name was not included. Guys, as a father who has lost a child, this story truly does my heart good. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did…

This job affords me some incredible opportunities. Being a member of the FOX 6 Sports team means I’ve been able to witness and report on events and people that many can only admire from a distance. I never take these situations for granted and sincerely appreciate being involved in whatever capacity each permits.

Monday marked just the most recent case as I had the unparalleled privilege to be a part of Aaron Rodgers charity event to benefit the MACC Fund, a charity towards eradicating childhood cancer and blood disorders.

Scattered throughout the crowd of rabid Packers aficionados, were the people who I consider the event’s real MVPs.. They are the families who’ve been forced to deal with one of life’s toughest sentences, the loss of a child.

Those who sprung for the tickets were not disappointed. In a world where many athletes regurgitate canned and rehearsed responses, the Packers quarterback was refreshingly candid. Aaron addressed a number of topics with in-depth, honest reaction – even some that if reprinted and mass distributed might raise some eyebrows.

Aaron stressed the importance of availability and accountability. In his opinion, it is a player’s responsibility to attend all of the team activities as they are all intended to better the team as a whole. And then, similarly, he addressed the importance of taking the heat/criticism when one falls short of expectations and duties.

He is never nervous to take the field. Aaron is supremely confident in the preparation he’s put in during the week leading up to Sunday’s match up. The way the 2009 season ended was disappointing but his self-confidence was not affected by the outcome. One of the toughest realizations was that that combination of players would never take the field together again. He likened the team to a family and admitted that conflict can and does occasionally exist but they try to handle such situations with maturity and civility.

He talked music and his love for tunes at a young age revealing that his mom used to sing and play lullabies and country music when he was a child. Aaron’s record label Suspended Sunrise is a product of this passion but also a contingency plan for life after football. His favorite song is Ben Harper’s ‘Forever’ and he’s envious of John Mayer’s guitar skills though not his tabloid reputation. He appreciated my affinity for Keith Urban but gave the audience a thumbs-down when I mentioned fellow country crooner Kenny Chesney.

His favorite book is The Bible and he tries to read it every day not just when life’s challenges and struggles surface. His favorite movie is The Princess Bride which he admits he’s caught flack for but says he and his childhood friends can recite every line from the film and it is simply a great story. Rodgers’ answers to questions on this night were certainly admirable. And I honestly didn’t think I could respect Aaron more. But I was wrong.

My friend, the father of that young girl who passed, was there that night. He was one of several attendees brought up on stage where he caught a football thrown by the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers. He asked Aaron to sign the football he’d caught. He wondered if he’d make it out to his daughter. It isn’t shocking that Rodgers obliged. What caught me off guard was the dedication he made. It wasn’t until after Aaron left that I first saw the autograph… and the simple yet sweet message that brought tears to this father’s eyes:

“To Cheri the angel. Save me a spot. – Aaron Rodgers”

I hope that Packers fans realize how lucky they are to have such an upstanding young man leading their team on the field every weekend. I hope they appreciate the challenges that were thrust upon him and acknowledge the maturity with which he handled them. I hope they stand behind the kid and respect him not only for his incredible talent but for his intelligence and honesty, poise and compassion.

My job has afforded me the chance to watch Aaron Rodgers play football for the last few seasons. But I am truly thankful for the opportunity to see the other side of this impressive young man and pass on some of what I witnessed to you.

Football fun fact minute

Posted: February 5, 2011 in Sports Stuff
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OK how about some fun facts for a minute. We are on the verge of the biggest game in sports this weekend, the Superbowl where the best team from each division square off on the largest stage in the world. The hype that is generated is always the biggest and commentators get to talk for hours about defense, offense and especially little tidbits that no one cares about because they have so much on air time to fill. By the way, on a side note, did you know that on Superbowl Sunday, inside Texas Stadium, there will be over 5000 lbs of hot dogs consumed by the attendees? I just had to throw that in there. But here is what I really didn’t know…According to the Wall Street Journal, during Football season, the average game length is around 174 minutes. Now this Sunday the length of time will be double that, or 360 minutes, or 6 hours which makes these facts I’m about to give you even more staggering. Because as you know, even though the broadcast is 6 hours long, the game is still (last time I checked) just 60 minutes total clock time…Now for the stats…Once the game starts we get to see the following:

  • 60 minutes of commercials (double, almost triple that for Superbowl Sunday)
  • 75 minutes of players huddling or milling around between snaps
  • 17 minutes of replays…and…
  • All told, just an actual 11 minutes of actual football.

Can you believe that? Just 11 minutes…So there you have it…and who says Americans waste time anyway? Enjoy the game wherever you are…