Every single sports fan loves to see their team win. According to World Population Review there are an estimated 3.5 billion soccer fans on the globe. There are an estimated 390 to 410 million fans of NFL football on the globe. I do not believe it is hyperbole to say that if I was conducting interviews with every one of these sports fans, they would express a desire to see their team win a championship or at a minimum see their favorite team being active in making moves toward winning the chip.
There are groups of people who have never experienced the thrill of seeing their favorite team win the championship. We see you Minnesota Vikings fans. We see you Seattle Mariner fans. Keep pressing on. Sports are not only about winning, but I think we could all agree that no one is playing to lose. I hear that voice shout out from the crowd, "WHAT ABOUT TANKING?" "WHAT ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES?" I contend to you that in the case of tanking; teams are losing for the opportunity to start winning. I am sorry to say I do not have a good rebuttal for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Championships are responsible for people acting in all sorts of ways they would not otherwise act. What else on earth inspires folks to willingly sit in gridlocked traffic, stand in the rain, hug strangers, try to wear the same color as all your friends, spend thousands of dollars on an experience that will last a few hours, stand in line for the bathroom for thirty minutes, climb light posts, and willingly get home late knowing you will feel tired the rest of the week? One-word: CHAMPIONSHIPS.
All these observations lead to that imposing question...How are championships won? What ingredients does it take to win a championship? Why is the pursuit of championships so intoxicating? Over the next few months on Swinging A Torch we are going to be examining the factors that we believe contribute to winning championships. Obviously, what it takes to hoist the trophy varies sport by sport to some degree. With that said there are common themes that can be found across sports that contribute to championship experiences. We are going to scope in and draw some of those vital themes out for examination. We are going to take it one step further and draw out how those very same factors contribute to us making championship plays in our personal lives.
Championship themes we will be examining over the next few months include organizational alignment of vision from the top down, building a roster through the draft, knowing when to spend and when not to spend, players who can do the fundamentals in pressure filled moments, ability to keep players healthy, love for the game mentality, team chemistry/leadership in the clubhouse, coaching, and execution of the game plan. We will look at each of these nine components separately then bring them all together to form a vision of how championships are won. In each section we will be breaking down what championship moments look like in each category and give examples of how these principles can affect the daily lives of each person as we go about our days.
The University of Michigan is known for playing the song "Hail To The Victors" after they win games. This song has become part of the institution's historic sports culture.
I would be remiss while opening a discussion on championships and hailing victors not to mention Jesus Christ who is the ultimate victor. He has conquered sin and death and will return one day with a new kingdom he is currently preparing. When we experience the thrill of victory for the teams we cheer for so loudly, when we join the victory anthem for our favorite schools or watch a newly crowned champion hoist the trophy and parade it through the masses, I would encourage you to let those moments of victory draw your mind to the person of Jesus Christ. He is available to be known, and only by His grace and God's sovereignty does anyone get to enjoy championship moments. There is forgiveness available for sin through Jesus sacrifice on the cross and this is the greatest victory anyone has ever achieved.
By God's grace there are championships to be won and wonderful championship moments for each of us to accomplish in this life. Even today there are championships available to be won for you. I encourage you today "WE ARE NOT JUST FANS". We have been put on this earth to do wonderful things, we do not have to live vicariously through the teams we like cheering for, we can go rack up wins in our personal lives as well. What are some championship opportunities available in your own life? What are championship habits you are cultivating? Where are you getting wins? What are some relationships that need to be added to improve your chances of reaching the championship plateau?
The playing field beckons. Time to go to work. Time to take responsibility. Notre Dame football tradition has each player touching this sign on the way to the field every game. You have been given gifts and talents. Go and "Play Like A Champion Today". I am cheering for you. Go make plays. "NOT JUST FANS".
GIBBS
Photo Credit: Stanley Cup: gettyimages-3809241.jpg (1969×1829) (heavy.com)/ Super Bowl Trophy: super-bowl-trophy-062419-getty-ftrjpg_9v0dzthjlhgw1bfeb9sr2zvca.jpg (1920×1080) (gazettereview.com)/ NBA Championship Photo: nba-2013-champions-trophy-wallpaper3.jpg (1920×1200) (wordpress.com)/ College Football Championship Trophy: b0b02e37c9114b26c9287e468f3dfda6.jpg (2333×3500) (pinimg.com)/ World Series Trophy: world-series-trophy-092819-getty-ftr_8aivbjh2q5md1hmm0f4i8wbml.jpg (1920×1080) (daznservices.com)/ Masters Jacket Photo: 1573312602897.jpeg (966×1449) (sndimg.com)/ Notre Dame Photo: i (576×324) (espncdn.com)
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