Before I get to my point, I should give a little background to let you know where I’m coming from. Being that this is January and the NFL playoffs are happening, that means my lifelong NFL team is not playing. Of course, this was known before the calendar flipped to October.
That’s right, I am a Washington Redskin fan.
You know, the organization that, year-after-year, ratchets-up buffoonery to a whole other level.
The Redskins’ allow me to use this photo yet another time.
When it comes to this team, the adage “there’s always next time” is simply not encouraging. In many ways it’s outright frightening. Certainly ludicrous.
Yep, I’m not buying it anymore.
Lately their team mascot’s namesake has come under intense scrutiny (mostly from ESPN and Bob Costas, for what that’s worth); with some saying it is degrading to a culture. I’ll leave that up to you to decide. To many of us in Washington, we’re more offended by the organization’s culture.
This team has no one to blame except themselves. They continue to fail — organizationally — from the top, and it cascades down. They are every bit the laughing-stock. For kicks, I did some quick math to see how the owner, Daniel Synder, is performing since he took over the team in 1999. Turns out, he has a dismal winning percentage of just over 40%! Which means the Redskins, on average, finish a season record of 6 – 10. That’s worse than mediocre.
We suck.
Granted, I don’t enjoy seeing them lose but when the clock winds down to zero I flip to the next game.
What’s my lesson in all this? Well, in the scheme of my life, it just doesn’t matter.
There was a time — some four decades — when it did. I’d mope around for a week after they lost a game. Now, I have no doubt that just 6 years ago I would’ve been mad as hell if the Redskins suffered the miserable officiating in the Lion – Cowboys game. Heck, the same could be said for the Steelers getting screwed. Anyone with a sense of fairness would feel likewise (or fortunate, if a Raven or Cowboy fan). It’s always tough to watch the officials (potentially) influence the outcome of a game. I promise you I know I would have hurled insults at the television; something to the tune of “Hey, refs, get off your knees… you’re blowing the game!“, which is one of my favorites.
It unnecessarily taints the victory.
Frankly, I really didn’t care much who won either of these games, but that’s no consolation for those who did. Unless you are a member of the team or had money riding on the game, perhaps what I’m about to share will help.
After Ryan’s attack I realized that NFL (and college) football had ZERO impact on my life. In fact, I distinctly remember West Virginia University football was playing on the ICU lobby television (I could see the stadium and hear the crowd from the same lobby), but it all seemed so trivial. All at once, what truly mattered came into crystal-clear focus.
On that Saturday afternoon I questioned how was I ever so foolish to let it control my attitude when there are bigger things in life?
That’s not to say that I’m not a football (and baseball… and basketball… and hockey) junkie that looks forward to watching the games, because I love it! It means I now watch games with a renewed sense of relative-value to my life.
Purely for the entertainment in the competition.
The Redskins aren’t going to change my past. They won’t impact my future. My life is unchanged whether they win or lose. Same for Ryan. The only parallel is…
There’s always next time… unless you’re the Redskins, that is.
Well said!
Ken,
Paula said it perfectly,(as did you), and knowing Ryan and your amazing family ,has changed my outlook on many things Don’t “sweat” the small things ,that’s for sure.
Always here ,praying for Ryan’s healing
love Gail
Hi Ken, another great post!! Since I met Ryan, I started looking at everything differently too — especially if I’m going through a rough time — I stop and think — at this moment, Ryan is working his a$$ off in an effort to recover. Or, Ken and Sue are probably trying to get through the day on five, four or no hours of sleep. I judge my attitude much more harshly now, in that I have witnessed with my own eyes what real struggle is. I tend to look at all matters this way now. The horrific assault perpetrated by VanTrease and May is the beginning of my perspective–i.e.– “you think that’s bad, imagine getting violently attacked by two thugs, being left for dead while they hide behind trashcans, then spending years and years of your life fighting to overcome severe brain trauma.” That could be a show stopper right there. But then I go into part two, and I think about everything you, Sue and Kari go through and have gone through since those cretins inserted themselves into your lives in the most nightmarish of ways. I no longer have sympathy for many things — what people complain and lament about — no, I’m not rude or unkind, but I often think to myself — you want to see what working hard is? Or, you want to know what suffering is? I could go on. But it’s not all negative. There is light in the dark. Yes, you can make progress in whatever your problem is if you apply yourself 110% And even if your situation seems hopeless, choose to believe you can work hard to make it better and give it your all. This is what you and your family have taught me. Don’t give up. Focus. Try harder. Don’t surrender to the darkness Be strong. Be stronger. Be the strongest.
Thank you for all your posts, Ken!! Your words make a meaningful difference in the lives of many you know and thousands that you don’t and probably never will. People may not take the time to verbally say “thank you” but I guarantee you they are thinking it. And who knows how many people have changed their perspectives for the better and turned their lives around because of what they have learned from Ryan and your family. A great many, I dare say. There are folks who wake up each day and give little thought about how they’re going to create positive change in their lives — they lack focus, commitment, or even the desire to work for something better. I feel sorry for them. I look at Ryan in the time right after he was so terribly damaged by Vantrease and May, and I look at him now and know — progress is possible for everyone who is willing to apply themselves to the tasks at hand. If anyone out there needs inspiration, they need look no further than right here on this blog. And if this doesn’t serve to inspire, motivate and move a soul to take concrete actions for the better, I don’t know what will. This sounds like a rant and I guess it is. If I had my way I’d put Ryan’s picture on Time magazine’s “Person of the Year.” There are still too many people who don’t know Ryan’s story who should. For one, I’m sure many would want to provide help for him. Second, knowing Ryan is life changing. This is Ryan’s influence and impact on the public at large — keep trying, don’t work at just 50% capacity, push yourself to 100+!!!! Get past the “oh I can’t do that,” and get to where Ryan is — on the leading edge of all that’s possible with daily commitment and daily action = forward momentum, even if it’s in small incremental steps. I could go on, I’ll spare you (for now) — I have much to say about Ryan Diviney as an example of what it means to break through obstacles, climb barriers and march through hell and keep going to get to a better place. Stopping myself now. Ryan, we admire, care about and love you. I speak on behalf of all of Team Diviney.
Still here, still praying, and giving gratitude to God for the honor of meeting and knowing your family.
Paula
Why can’t there be like buttons or love buttons on comments. I used to have the kinds of days Ken has, to a 1/10th degree. This is too true a statement, I have to remind myself of my physical pain and how theirs is so far worse.
We went to pick up a foot/leg brace that had been made for Jonathan last week. All the tech could talk about was the fact that “his team” the Atlanta Falcons had lost whatever in the season… He was literally depressed and even mentioned he had seen the neuropsychologist, whom he works with, to talk about it. He told us his garage is filled with AF stuff, he has everything and game day is totally devoted to watching the AF. Although he fitted the brace for JMan, most of his time and effort was discussing the AF and of course we could not relate… we were baffled and laughing inside… totally get your point…. however, I am thrilled that The Ohio State Buckeyes made it to the national title because they usually fizzle at the end of their season… and with a third string quarterback to boot… almost never watch sports on TV but love the Buckeyes and the Best Damn Band in the Land. Amazing how our perspective changes when tragedy enters our lives.
That’s an awesome marketing slogan: “There’s always next time… unless you’re the Redskins.”
LOL, I agree, too funny!