“These types of games bring out the best and the worst of people…(The players) need to see in me that I’m not going to quit.” – Mack Brown, University of Texas Head Football Coach, in his Monday press conference following the 2012 Red River Rivalry
Well, if you’re a Longhorn fan, Saturday was a day you’d just as soon forget. The much anticipated Red River Rivalry game between the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas at the Cotton Bowl quickly turned into a Red River routing, with the Sooners beating the Longhorns 63-21.
I know how this game made me feel as a loyal fan, so I can’t imagine the heartache, disappointment, and frustration the players felt at the end of the game. That’s why I like Mack’s quote so much. When a team takes a beating, they look to their leader to see what they’re going to do next. Is all lost? Is it worth continuing to fight for? Do we get mad and pout and point fingers and blame, or do we suck it up, recommit ourselves to the goal, and keep pressing forward?
The leader sets the tone. The worst thing a leader can do to their team is convey defeat. If the leader gives up, the team doesn’t have anything left to fight for. Whether you’re an OU or a UT fan, this quote is one that’s definitely worth living out.
Have you ever experienced a painful loss that you had to suck up for the sake of your teammates? How does your team see you react to setbacks or disappointments?
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