Lessons Learned From Super Bowl 51

Super Bowl 51 truly lived up to the pre game hype. Two of the best teams playing for the top prize in professional football. I really did not have a preference either way in this one. On one side, it is always nice to set a record. Tom Brady was tied with a couple of Hall of Fame Quarterbacks with 4 rings. The other two, go by Bradshaw and Montana. Terry and Joe to be exact. A win here and Brady is sure to go down as the best quarterbacks of all time. However, it is cool when someone grabs the title for the first time and there was an under-dog desire to pull for the Atlanta Falcons and this year's MVP Matt Ryan. What better way to cap an MVP season with a Super Bowl ring. Further, I am a big fan of what the owner, Arthur Blanks has done not only for the Falcons, but throughout the entire city of Atlanta.  Finally, and important at least in my mind, the Falcons began as an organization in 1965, which is the same year I started as well.

By now, we know that the Patriots engineered the greatest comeback in the history of the Super Bowl. Previously, the largest comeback was 10 points yet New England shattered that with 25. However, what really struck me as I watched this comeback unfold were certain life lessons presented in real time. Yes, this was a sporting event designed to entertain us by multi millionaires who get paid to play. But it became so much deeper than that for me as I watched the dynamics of the game play out. We talk about wanting to be successful but to truly experience it requires an application of what Tom Brady showed us. Look beyond the stats he put together although quite incredible.(43-63 for 467 yards). Look beyond the simple fact that New England showed why they were the best team when it mattered most. Never mind the story line surrounding the 4 games Brady missed at the beginning of the season. There might have been a sense of irony as the commissioner Roger Goodell presented the trophy to the Patriots owner Robert Kraft. No, I would like to examine what Brady reminded me last night as he earned his 5th Super Bowl title and 4th MVP trophy. Mind you, 39 is young in life but pretty advanced in the professional sports world. He more than represented last night to become a world champion once again. These were the lessons reinforced in my mind last night.

1. He Was Human. There were moments when Brady showed us he was human. He was sacked 4 times and forced into some bad throws. He threw an interception that was run back 82 yards for a touchdown. Note, this was the 2nd longest interception return in Super Bowl History. In fact, it was his first playoff interception returned for a touchdown in a career that began in 2001. After that play, Brady understandably lowered his head on the sidelines in disbelief. He seemed vulnerable and perhaps fragile as the chinks might have been somewhat exposed. The lesson, though, was that Brady may have been down but far from out. He exhibited frustration though he channeled it in a positive way as the game progressed.

2. Incomplete Passes:  Several of his throws were dropped. In other words, the ball was thrown well (Brady did his part) yet the receiver did not make the play.  That can be difficult on an overall team effort yet Brady was seen several times encouraging his teammates on the sidelines. As leaders, it is our job to continue to lift our colleagues no matter how it looks. It is easy to be a leader when things are going well. However, what about during those moments and periods of adversity? Brady could have rested on his laurels and 4 titles and accepted defeat. He choose to remain upbeat and make those around him better.  People look to us for leadership and direction especially during difficult moments. It is critical to remain positive and persistent in times of ordeals and obstacles.

3. Atlanta Came To Play.  At no time did I think Atlanta felt intimidated. In my opinion, there was no quit from this team. They did not choke nor did they do themselves a dis- service. In our own lives, the competition is gunning for us and they come with a nothing to lose attitude. How we handle the best shot from our competition speaks to our desire, resilience, and motivation to succeed. Sometimes we will not know what hit us as New England discovered when they trailed 21-0. However, setbacks are truly set ups for comebacks when we remain focused on the basics of our strengths.

4. Brady Was Not Alone:  As great as his individual performance, this was truly a team effort. Someone else had to make some catches. (the one on the final drive in regulation has to rank right up there as the best all time). The defense had to make some key stops, and the coaches had to put the team in position to win.  So it is with your team. Everyone has to do their part and make the unselfish contributions towards the greater good. It is the willingness to check our egos at the door that determines how far a team can actually go.

5. Did Not Quit:  Simply put, Brady did not quit. Down 21-3 at the half and 28-3 in the 3rd quarter, he entered the 4th quarter down 28-12. Things were so bad that an extra point attempt was missed. To win, New England had to do something never done up to this point. It would have been easy to give up and say maybe next time. However, a return to the Super Bowl is never a guarantee. (although New England has seemed to be the exception) Brady engineered a historic comeback. To do so, the team could not panic. They had to recognize they could not make up the difference all at once. The comeback required consistent execution along with a determination to succeed no matter what. This comeback required another first in that the Super Bowl has never had an Overtime Game in the previous 50. There is no limit on our firsts along the journey. It requires continued confidence in our abilities to continue even after people have written us off.

Most importantly, consider this. New England never lead in regulation. The best they were able to achieve was to tie the game with less than a minute to go. So, you were down and seemingly out for 59 minutes. I saw something that stated Atlanta won 3 out of the 4 quarters. Yes they did and in fact did not lose the 4th either. However, New England put themselves in position when it mattered the most. At the end!  What is even more incredible is that New England only lead one time in the entire game... On the last play. When it mattered the most. The moral here is encouraging to those who will not quit. There is no way to tell which decision, which action, or which move will make the difference. If you go back to 2007,New England was perfect going into the Super Bowl. They were aiming for perfection and poised to break the record of perfection set by the 1972 Miami Dolphins. The end result was that they lost and ended up with a record of 16-1. They were also runner ups. To not have the lead for the entire game except for the play should truly motivate us in our own walk. Things may appear one one way. However, it is not over until it is over,

This was the best Super Bowl I have seen. However, as I was entertained, the lessons to be applied really struck me in many different ways. Tom Brady deserves all the salutations and distinctions as the best ever. He certainly showed me the example of what winners do and how it can apply to us all. To the victors go the spoils. However, the bigger lesson is to never Quit or Give Up. Long after the buzz of the game dies down, we are reminded at the lessons it can teach us in our own lives. You just cannot keep a winner down. They will rise to the challenge and do what it takes to meet the challenge head on.

To Your Never Giving Up