Hacked in the act…
During the course of my career I’ve probably been “fouled” as much as anybody. You know, those outside influences beyond your control, preventing you from “scoring” a sale, marketing deal, or business plan. Not to say that I haven’t put up some bad shots of my own and made really poor decisions during a game.
The point is, regardless of how well the play may have been designed, sometimes, “life gets in the way”…
For those of you that don’t relate to sports analogies, I can promise you from years of experience that much can be learned from competitive athletics. Basic things like camaraderie, work ethic, discipline, delayed gratification, leadership and how to deal with winning, and losing.
Sports, (quoting a golf guru I once knew), “Strips you naked”. Character is exposed on the field of play, inner demons are released, and hidden frustrations come bubbling to the surface. Perhaps that’s why I’m so proud of one particular sports star I was privileged to watch grow into a man; Jimmer Fredette. A top draft pick of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, Jimmer graduated from BYU where he was voted as the “National Collegiate Player of the Year” in 2011.
On the eve of yet another birthday (wow they come fast as you get older), I watched him play a game in this his rookie year. As he put up shots, passed the rock, and played as hard as he could, I was inspired by him yet again. This unusual basketball phenom from a little town in Upstate NY, (where we were both born), often displays more class and integrity in one game on the hardwood, than business leaders in the boardroom or politicians in office do in a lifetime…
He loves his family, he lives his life for his religion, and yes he is a “role model”, (Mr. Charles Barkley). Although his first season in the NBA was a struggle at times, playing with a losing team full of “me first” teammates, he continues to beat the odds.
In his first game back “home” in Utah where his college basketball legend blossomed, Jimmer had the ball in his hands. Down by two with seconds left, he got a shot to win the game for his team. As he launched a 3 pointer, he not only missed, but found nothing but air. The picture above shows the play, as Jimmer was obviously “hacked in the act”….
His post game interview says it all, as not all your shots will fall. He acknowledged his team, the effort, and the competition. Here’s to you Jimmer, for not whining about bad calls in basketball or life, and understanding something all of us should recall…
“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it” -Charles Swindoll