It’s been a week since one of the most amazing Super Bowl games ever.
Random thoughts about Super Bowl LI…
Way too much hype heading into the game. Â Good Lord, football is just a game. Â We have too many people who are homeless and starving. Â What would happen if we hyped that?
Lady Gaga is not only a great performer but she has class.  The news media was trying to get us to believe she was going to make a political statement during her halftime show and the only statement she made was she is a talented and gifted artist.  I rank her halftime show up there with Michael Jackson and Prince (he did it in the rain).   Yes, I’m a Prince, MJ and Gaga fan…don’t judge.
The Falcons got off to too fast of a start.  Is there such a thing?  They made it look so easy that we all figured it was going to be a blowout including the Falcon players and those who went to bed at halftime…if Gaga wasn’t performing I would have gone to bed. The Falcons players and coaches forgot they were playing the greatest football coach and quarterback of all time (GOAT’S). Who started this GOAT thing anyway?
The play of the game? Â I will call it the worst calls of the game. Â The Falcons had the ball late in the game in New England territory and were well within field goal range. Â A field goal would have put the game out of reach. Â Instead of running the ball and taking the field goal they kept passing the ball and two pass plays–that involved a sack and an offensive tackle holding penalty–later, the Falcons had to punt.
Why did New England win? Â Granted they are blessed with an unbelievable head coach and quarterback but I attribute it to their ability to be laser focused and mentally tough. Â All professional athletes are skilled and gifted these days. Â The teams who hold a competitive advantage are the teams whose practice and preparation makes them laser focused and mentally tough…this is the secret sauce for anyone trying to compete at a championship level.
I’m a Bengals fan and we’ve had as much or more talent than any team in the NFL the past few seasons.  Our focus is not always there and neither is our mental toughness.  Focus and mental toughness is on the coaching staff…New England’s coach (Bill Belichick) and Cincinnati’s coach (Marvin Lewis) are the longest tenured coaches in the NFL. Bill has been to the Super Bowl 7 times and won 5.  Marvin hasn’t been there yet.
Success starts at the very top and if the very top of an organization allows mediocrity, Â winning games is good enough. Â If the very top of the organization strives for excellence, winning games is not good enough, it is all about winning championships.
The Patriots mantra: Â Head down, Do your job, One way–the Patriot Way
The Falcons mantra: Â Brotherhood–Rise Up
Either mantra, if lived, will win championships. Â There is a good chance every Patriot and Falcon lived and walked their mantra.
What is your mantra?
How focused and mentally tough are you?
P.E.A.C.E.
Jay@EagleLaunch.com
1 Corinthians 9:26-27, “I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.” (The Message)
