Adversity is always a teacher. At every level.
Standing at the 50 at the new Ryan Field this afternoon, I watched adversity show up for Rutgers on the opening drive when starting quarterback Dylan Lonergan went down with an injury.
Sitting in my hotel room before the game, I heard my son’s middle school flag team lost on a failed two-point try. Another reminder that sports are one of the world’s greatest teachers.
Watching Oregon lose, Aidan Chiles thrive, and BYU go down reminded me of something else.
Adversity doesn’t keep a schedule. It shows up when it shows up.
How you respond is what matters.
Flying home from a noon Eastern kick as Northwestern became bowl eligible in their win over Rutgers, I’m reminded that life after playing still brings adversity. In our professions. In our homes. In our hearts.
And just like it did for the Ducks, Chiles, and the #2 ranked Cougars, it never arrives on a timeline we choose.
So for all of us no longer playing, the gridiron left us some lessons this weekend. If you need them, this newsletter is for you.