“I’ve seen champions come and go…”
Dateline: The week before the Classic
“It always seems impossible until it is done.”
~ Nelson Mandela
He slowly limped off the field of play.
Water dripped from his fingertips, clods of mud fell from the back of his knees.
His head looked only at the ground, each step was shakier than the last. Slower than the first one, and slowing.
A shuffle.
And then he turned slowly and fell down to a seating position on the bench, elbows resting on the tops of his legs, hands cradling his helmeted head.
Above him the scoreboard clock said simply this: 00:00.
As he slowly and painfully pulled the football helmet from his head, you could hear his grimace. You could hear the scarred helmet hit the puddle of mud, see the splash of dirty water.
And when he turned and looked at me I could see his tears had made canals through the mud and blood on his cheeks.
His face was blank.
His eyes only stared, his lips slightly parted, his chest heaved trying to just breath.
And then slowly looking directly at me with no sound he mouthed this, and even though I can’t read lips, I read his and this is what it said:
“We won.”
And once again the 300-pound lineman began to cry.
To all of you about to compete in this the 50th Bassmaster Classic … that’s what it feels like to be a champion.
He could barely walk, he could barely talk, he could barely breath and he won the whole damn thing.
That’s what it means to be the best at what you do.
You up for this?
“…so if you got the guts mister…”
“Fortune sides with him who dares.”
~ Virgil
This ain’t your club’s Wednesday night derby. Don’t matter none how many peach jars filled with dollar bills you’ve won, you’re AOY points are nice, but they don’t transfer to here.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday … 15 fish that’s what matters. He who on the big stage holds up the most weight … wins.
Wins.
And a banner with your name on it is raised to the rafters, and you become part of the history of B.A.S.S. forever.
You up for this?
“…yeah if you’ve got the balls…”
Begin, at your best.
And move on up from there. Either be all-in or be all-out.
“Don, what’s it take to be a champion, both feet in, it has to be all consuming when you take to the field of play, you have been given your time, that’s your time to prove yourself, to take the opportunity and to run with it, and how great is that, most people never get that time in their life, honor the opportunity.”
We were standing in his office, his arm around my shoulder when he told me that. On his desk were four Super Bowl rings. He was the kindest, gentlest person I’ve ever met … Dan Rooney Sr., president/chairman/owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Before he passed he would go on to add two more rings to the display.
Effort, 100% is second place.
It’s 101% that takes first.
You up for this?
“…if you think it’s your time, then step to the line…”
If you think you can’t do it, you won’t.
I don’t know about you but when it comes to the nut crack time, I want it to be all on me.
There is no second chance once the confetti falls from the ceiling. And know this as well, as good as you are, or think you are, you may never be back. I’ve been to many Elite launches now and have never seen any golden tickets to the Classic given out.
Step 1 … you’ve earned your right to be here.
Step 2 … win it.
We can’t promise you a bright future if you win this gig, but it will certainly turn the light on for you.
You up for this?
“…and bring on your wrecking ball…”
Three days in March you will remember forever.
Three days in your life you will remember forever, just ask anyone who has crossed this biggest of stages.
When you launch it is not about your history, it is all about your future. But understand this, 99.9999% of all bass anglers on the planet will never stand where you are about to.
Kudos to all of you, and I mean that.
Take a moment on each and every day of Classic week to just step back and look around. Let it sink in, let it wash over you, where it is you are, and smile that you got here.
You’ve earned it.
“…come on and take your best shot…”
Let me tell you why I love big moments like this. One of you will win this and your life will change, you will always, on stages big and small, be introduced as “Mr. Blah Blah, Bassmaster Classic champion.”
One of you will leave Birmingham, Ala., with that title.
Here’s a little slap of reality though, not one of you made it to the Classic on your own.
You made it here on the backs of your family, take the time to tell them that.
You made it here on the backs of your sponsors, take the time to tell them that.
You made it here on the backs of all those fans in the stands, take the time to tell them that.
You may win it by yourself, but you didn’t get here alone. A true champion in all aspects of what that name means spreads the glory.
Thank those who laid the foundation of your highway to here.
You up for this?
I believe you are, that’s why you are here.
See you soon,
db
“…let me see what you’ve got…”
Wrecking Ball
Bruce Springsteen
“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
