Why They’re Called “Games”

Why They’re Called “Games”

A lot of football games are lost because the coaches play it safe. They don’t take risks because they see the contest as more than a game, they see it as a major commentary on their worth and on life. I’ve seen a lot of millionaire players drop balls they’re paid to catch, a lot millionaire golfers blow easy shots, a lot of millionaire tennis players melt down on the courts.

They’re not having fun, they’re putting their self-worth on the line with every pass, chip, and volley.

Do you want your kids to grow up as if every move they make is cosmic and profound, or do you want them to have some fun? The best athletes I’ve ever seen have seemed to me to be having fun, from Sandy Koufax to Michael Jordon, from Tom Brady to Jack Nicklaus, from Bill Russell to Wayne Gretzky.

You win some, you lose some, but there’s always another game. Even the people named above couldn’t win ’em all. But they won more than most because their self-worth remained high whether they won or lost.