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12/12/2005 It’s been said that people basically hear only what they want to hear. So, how will you define the 2005 Sports Year? Maybe the steroid scandal and congressional hearings are on your mind. Possibly the outspoken Terrell Owens and his antics that ultimately helped to dismantle the Philadelphia Eagles. Sports is a microcosm of life. But as I’ve stated earlier a thousand times, every successful sports story, even great individual performances like Lance Armstrong (Tour de France), Roger Federer (tennis), Tiger Woods (golf), or Danica Patrick (Nascar) require a dedicated ‘team’ to produce the end result. As I’ve stated earlier, the best ‘teams’ always find a way to win. A star may win you one game, but a team may win them all! The New England Patriots won their 3rd Super Bowl in 4 years last February. “We check our ego at the door, and when we have success we look to each other to continue the habits that lead to more success,” Tedy Bruschi said. “We keep our work ethic rather than fight to see who gets credit.” The San Antonio Spurs won their 3rd NBA championship in recent years with a cast of unsung heros, role players, and tremendous teamwork and love in the locker room. Sure, they feature perennial MVP Tim Duncan, but it’s his selflessness and ability to make everyone around him better that makes that organization tick. How about the Chicago White Sox sweeping the heavily favored St. Louis Cardinals in last October’s World Series? They did it the old fashioned way. Pitching and defense. Throw strikes, catch the ball. Wear teams down. Do it as a team. Play the game the right way, which means doing whatever it takes to help your team win, even at the risk of personal sacrifice. Be willing to contribute to the greater good… In every walk of life, the cream rises to the top, and there are those that reach the rarified air. But, it falls short if the contributions don’t lead to the betterment of the greater good. It’s been over a year since the Novi News cancelled the ‘Athlete of the Week’ segment at the bottom of the sports page. Why? They got tired of so many parents calling to scream and complain that someone other than their child was chosen. Why would your focus be on somebody else? Jealousy? Yep. Envy? Yep. Fear? Yep. I’ve been in the locker room of the Chicago White Sox, and I’ve talked to their manager Ozzie Guillen. “When we play together, this team can outlast anybody,” he stated. That’s how I’ll define 2005. New England Patriots, San Antonio Spurs, Chicago White Sox… Champions… Great Teams. It continues to define what we all believe and know to be true. Sports are just like life. Genuine teamwork always prevails. (c) 2005 Novi
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