Brooke Hundley

Choose Wisely

// December 31st, 2009 // No Comments » // Football, General, Sports

Any hour can be our finest or our darkest; it’s our choice.  It’s a simple word with a lot of weight this idea of choice.  As a noun many of us find ourselves thankful to carry this option in our back pockets, as if it presents an inalienable right we possess to live our lives how we wish.  But when called upon in verb form, when any of us are asked to CHOOSE, it becomes a loaded gun that when engaged becomes so rife with outside opinions, inner anxiety and a plethora of criticism, negativity and judgment from every which way that many find themselves so afraid of the possibility of choosing incorrectly and incurring the subsequent punishment, they’d rather hideout from the prospect of having to choose at all.  The concept of choice has never been more prominently displayed than in college football this week where two highly prized coaches left their coveted positions one by choice, the other forcibly without choice, leaving the world to wonder what they will do at this new and unexpected juncture in life.

If one were to enter the home of any true sports fan while their team is playing on TV, you’ll find a unique phenomenon known as the armchair coach.  All sports fans do it, confined to the walls of our living room we find ourselves screaming at our players, coaching from our seats, demanding from our team a better output, whether it’s protecting the quarterback more effectively, being more accurate when turning a double play, or finding consistency when shooting outside the paint.   Yet we can yell and rant or cheer for our team, without the added pressure of our decisions weighing into the game, without the fear that precedes all choices, without the ridicule that comes from choosing incorrectly and facing your team’s defeat.  In every one of us is a coach waiting to break free, but it was growing up on the tennis courts that I’ve found the closest experience to that of the internal painful dilemma of coaching.

Tennis players often find themselves alone in their own world, talking and rallying themselves because the solitary confinement on the court prevents them from so much as speaking to their coaches and thus they are forced to become their own coaches, to internally strategize at all times, thinking 2 or 3 plays ahead of their opponent, trading blows without ever physically engaging, and forcing away the fear, the torment, that they might be making the wrong choice and falter.  They are forced to push aside all fears because every tennis player much like every coach knows that in the heat of battle indecision breeds defeat.

In the middle of a game decisions are made quickly and one is resigned to stand by them for better or worse, but when the competition is over and the teams retreat into their daily lives, at what point does this expectation of always choosing correctly and never faltering, never wavering, carry through to our personal?   Urban Meyer was praised and respected this week when he chose to leave his champion football program at Florida for a renewed focus on his deteriorating health and family time.  While many questioned his departure, no one questioned the choice that was made, it was a done deal and the world would have to be content with letting him fade away into seclusion.  But the moment Meyer returned with a change of heart, deciding to only take a leave of absence but in effect return to coach the team again, he was met with extreme skepticism, annoyance and critical opinions from the outside world, as if he had exposed human weakness in his indecision, a weakness the outside world demanded never to see, despite the fact that any human would find himself/herself in the same role struggling to let go of the now and enter into the unknown not knowing if his/her best days are over.  It’s as if we expect more than pure human weakness from our coaches and our players, as if we want our generals on the field to be as certain in their own lives as they are while in battle.

Mike Leach was removed from Texas Tech this week after complaints from a player about inhumane treatment at practice.  Without the ability to stand up for himself, and despite the outpouring of support from players and other coaches stating that that which was published in the media was sensationalized and unsubstantiated and should have remained a private matter within the organization, Leach was forced out due to the media onslaught.  He brought a football program out in one of the most remote sections of the country from an athletic wasteland to a respected, winning, recruiting machine that could compete with some of the best football programs in the country.  Yet the moment he made a choice that showed weakness, acting out on emotion whether out of anger or just utter annoyance due constant whining and complaining by an athlete, he was criticized, relieved of his duties and left to question what lies ahead.

Is it any wonder then when watching Urban Meyer’s or Brett Favre’s indecisiveness about their personal career decisions attacked with harsh criticism, doubt and negativity from the outside world, or Mike Leach’s insignificant (at least seemingly at the time), emotionally infused discipline choice at a practice derail his entire career and overshadow his accomplishments, that so many of us find ourselves wriggling in fear when presented with having to make a choice for ourselves?  It’s as if all of us must be born with an innate ability to always choose the right path, to never falter, never question, never be indecisive, but how can anyone live up to those standards when we are all error prone, when it is a standard of our very human nature to falter at times?  Maybe Leach should have never disciplined his player, maybe Meyer should have never updated the public on his deteriorating health and his daughter’s heartwarming hug, maybe Favre should have ignored his desires to return to the game and stuck by his choice to remain in retirement from the beginning.  But isn’t the beauty of each of us that we are given those choices to make, that we can choose our destinies, change our destinies, follow a less beaten path or a new adventure at any time in life?

At the end of the day it is not our critics or our judges or any outside force, but rather our internal apprehension that is the most dangerous to surrender to.  Fear exists like a gateway drug, you give into the small ones, let them eat away at you and soon you’re struggling in severe pain at the bigger ones, feeding an uncontrollable addiction as your fears mount and grow and your mind develops new and disturbing ways to view the negative ways in which the choices you make could harm you.  Still it’s a question we must ask as we enter this new year are we all simply slaves to fear, or can we resist the uneasiness over the strange and unfamiliar, the judgments, and the hypocrisy of those who seek to criticize our choices, but in retrospect hardly know what path they would choose in the same situation.  Instead of fearing choice, can we activate our self-confidence, our inner positive monologue, and learn to embrace this right to choose?

We will all stand at a crossroads at some point in our lives, forced to choose a path to take in our journey.  But our biggest danger is not the unknown, but our own lack of self-confidence.  As we stand choosing our fates we must breed hope, encourage our own success, visualize prosperity and face the outside negativity, making our decisions based upon what we hope and desire most for ourselves.  I hope for anyone finding their crossroads in life that they are merely setting themselves on a new journey filled with success.  For Leach I hope he finds a new rewarding opportunity in college football and gains another chance to lead a program and build champion athletes.  For Meyer I hope he is able to find a balance between work and life, one in which his family and his health are cared for first, and in effect any job he has in the athletic world is subsequently strengthened by it.  For Favre I wish for him to play football until he simply no longer has the passion or the physical desire to play anymore and then I hope he will find other avenues to share his talent with gifted athletes.  And for all of you out there, I hope when you face a road in life requiring a choice to be made, you find calmness and inner peace where many feel fear and darkness, and you willingly take that leap into the unknown, face the negativity and the skepticism with a fighting spirit, and learn and grow from this challenge.  For those who walk proudly down that unpaved road I know you will someday find the fortune that awaits you.

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Oh Come All Ye Faithful

// December 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // Football, General, Sports

The other night I agreed to be on a live podcast for someone who had been persistent, but nice about putting to use my desire to talk sports on the air.  It was a fun opportunity to calm the nerves of the on-air talent over the latest Yankee trade and break down the Broncos deteriorating offense, but it was the very last question that I found myself contemplating long after the interview ended.  I had been asked if it was time already to move on from the dog fighting scandal that had defined Michael Vick the past year, to give him the opportunity to continue on in life without carrying around this negative label.

Before the past few months I might have been quick to answer that with a rash judgment, to say actions speak louder than words and that no one deserves a second chance after choosing to hurt another living thing.  But as time has gone by and assumptions have been made about who I am as a person by those far removed from my personal situation, I started to question if the greatest gift we could give to anyone who has been dealt a hard lesson learned is the simple gift of our faith.

When you divulge yourself into this idea of faith it’s easy to see that it isn’t so strictly cornered on the market by religious doctrine or spiritual shrines, but rather a concept existing and thriving in our everyday lives.  Whether it’s faith in a new relationship to go the distance, faith in a career path to bring you future success, or simply faith that this year will be the winning year for your “always the bridesmaid never the bride” sports team, faith is an ever fluid characteristic of our very human nature.  So why when presented with someone who has made blunders in life, but wants to reform, do we find it to be such a hard gift to give?  Are we fearful that by placing our faith in others who have stumbled we will only find ourselves regretting our decision later when they fall back to their old pattern?

Or is it a matter of not wanting to stand behind something so unstable, so uncertain, so downright risky as the potential of another person to do well with their life and to learn from their mistakes that we’d feel safer leaving them to rot behind bars or at the very least so far from their former successful lives that we won’t be forced to chose between helping or hindering them?  The sad part is that the easier option, to look the other way, to close the door on all opportunity, is more likely to put that person back into their former bad patterns as they give in to believing that that is simply their destiny.  While the option of getting past our own insecurities and defending another by giving them the outward support, guidance and faith that they can and will succeed, puts the odds as much more likely to prevail, but at a much higher gamble.

Someone once asked me what good is a lesson learned in life if you never have a second chance.  It’s a question that has stayed with me through the last few months and one I often find myself asking when those who once offered support now won’t return my phone calls.  As the holidays roll in and many ponder their resolutions for next year I find myself most hopeful for new opportunities, opportunities to improve and better myself, opportunities that will only exist because of the faith of others.

Maybe this idea of faith is only viewed so fearfully because we make it into something bigger than itself, fearing we will have to invest time, energy, and so much of ourselves, when in reality all that is being asked for is an open mind and possibility.  This simplified idea of faith is not lost on the Eagles, as Michael Vick’s teammates unanimously agreed to award him the Ed Block Courage award.  Some may question whether he deserves it for the path he’s taken and the road he’s traveled to this point, but to me it’s not about the past, it’s an award given to say we have faith in you as a player and as a man that you CAN overcome, that you WILL better yourself, and prove yourself deserving of the world’s respect again.  And that’s all the faith a person could ask for.  So this holiday I hope we all take a cue from the Eagles’s playbook and learn to show a little faith and give it a little more freely.  After all we’re all human, we all make mistakes, we all fall off the wagon, and we all deserve a chance, a little faith, that we will get back into the game of life and prove we’ve earned our place in the lineup.

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The Price of Perfection

// December 21st, 2009 // 6 Comments » // Football, General, Sports

This week marked the official ending to the New Orleans Saints undefeated season, a 24-17 loss to the Cowboys filled with defensive pressure that produced too many mistakes and too many turnovers. Even a strong rally back in the 4th quarter could not prevent another fumble by the Saints to give them even a chance at an overtime victory. It wasn’t too surprising that the Saints would eventually find defeat, given the three games earlier this season in which they barely slid by with a win. But for many it was a moment to relish, as the inconsistent Cowboys fighting for playoff contention took down the mighty, unstoppable NFC winning machine. As I sat in the restaurant watching the throngs of football fans cheering on the Cowboys, many of whom had told me they weren’t actually Cowboys fans but rather were just anxious to see the Saints fail, I started to question: why in the face of perfection do we find ourselves rooting the hardest for failure?

Whether it’s a star golfer’s perfect family man persona marred by indiscretion, a champion baseball player’s perfect season questioned by the use of performance enhancing drugs, or the end of a team’s perfect, seemingly undefeatable win streak, the ultimate fall from grace seems to create a frenzy of entertainment, criticism, and downright giddiness over the opportunity to bask in the failure of others. Is it merely our own insecurity wanting to believe that perfection is unattainable, that no one can live up to an idea of flawlessness no matter how talented? Or is it a need to fulfill an inner self-confidence, to maintain a belief that any of us could have been that athlete, that model, that musician, if only we had been given a similar lucky break in life and that these gifted people are no different than any of us other mere mortal beings with weaknesses to be exposed?

Maybe it’s an inherent trait in all of us, to want good things for others, but secretly hoping for nothing too grand without a little pain and hardship along the way to make them appreciative and to soften their egos. Almost assuredly as there will be death and taxes there will be games won and lost, sports scandals exposed on and off the field, and a fair share of self-centeredness brought down to earth. Still, the question remains can we learn to find comfort and happiness in the achievements of others, teach ourselves that those who have earned success deserve to relish in it and nurture the belief that hard work will be well rewarded? Or will we forever be a nation of cynics, living in a state of perpetual jealousy and pessimism at the perfection in others, waiting for the next shoe to drop, for all good things to come to an end, for the pedestal to be pulled out from under that perfect athlete, model or musician, and the world to seem like a fairer place, an even playing field once again. Time will only tell, but as it stands the Indianapolis Colts take on the New York Jets next week, and I wonder just who you might find yourself rooting for.

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Fame and Fortune

// December 18th, 2009 // No Comments » // Baseball, General, Sports

The baseball off-season has already been rife with surprises, upsets, great buys, and unexpected signings. From the blockbuster 3-way trades involving Halladay and Granderson, to the significant signings of Lackey, Figgins, and Wolf, to the youthful future investments in the likes of Austin Jackson and Brett Wallace, the market continues to deploy the laws of supply and demand at its best. But as I look back on the stellar deals I notice a reoccurring theme that is difficult to miss, that of a bewildered, well-recognizable athlete left on the outside looking in, questioning the simple laws of need vs. want and the actions commencing inside the bargaining table.

From Cliff Lee announcing that he never saw his trade to the Mariners coming, expecting an extension with the Phillies and a surefire place to live out the remainder of his career, to the likes of Johnny Damon who, with 2 rings, a career salary over $100 million, and a coveted position in the Yankee lineup, continues to claim he wants nothing more than to stay a Yankee, yet seems confused over the fact they refuse to give into his three years and no less than $13 million demands. It leaves me wondering, do we live in a world where we place such a heightened value on our inner opinions of ourselves, where we are constantly told that we can be and have anything our heart desires and to not settle for anything less, that we lose sight of our role in the greater scheme of things, our true value, if you will, on the open market?

From the dynamics of a baseball team to the opportunities for advancement at a company to the lavish attention of others at a social event, there are those who realize that their skills and talents call for opportunities in life in which doors will open, generous intrigue will be bestowed, and positive outcomes will reign supreme. But can any of us as ego-driven human beings willingly accept the time that will inevitably come in which the spotlight will be dimmed, the company or the team will decide their needs and one’s wants no longer match, the social environment that once drew engaging looks and attention now seeks only advice and wisdom, and the plethora of interesting prospects are now resolved to a minute list of options?

Whether it’s a major league pitcher with an awarding winning resume or an employee with a proven track record, a respected designated hitter facing a bleak market or a professional forced into retirement fearing the quiet life away from an established career, are we ever ready to accept a new destiny we had not prepared for, ready to accept a fate that draws us away from our perfectly envisioned path for the future? Can we push aside our egos, let go of our preconceived notions and embrace the ever-changing curveballs of life or are we so determined to prove, if only to ourselves, that we are deserving of that which we seek, that we refuse to budge from our mindset, even if it leaves us sitting alone in our own denial while the world passes us by?

It’s a challenge to anyone, to take an honest look in the mirror and assess one’s skills, strengths, and weaknesses, and be willing to check one’s opinion of one’s self at the door, in order to embrace something new and unplanned. At the end of the day a 3 year, 30 million dollar a year salary might seem like the ultimate defining factor (insert your ideal career salary here), but when you break down the non-monetary gains be it ball player or otherwise: a winning team that you call home, a place where you can continue to grow and mentor young people, a position coveted by many, you might just realize that opportunity has much more to offer than any preconceived price tag placed on it.

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