Enliven Daily

“I'd run over my mother to win the Super Bowl.”

That was a pretty exciting Super Bowl yesterday as the New Orleans Saints beat Peyton Manning and The Indianapolis Colts in what some will call an upset as the Colts were predicted by many to win, mainly because of Manning.  I guess many did not realize that Saints quarterback Drew Brees also had a great year and based on all I read and watch, is also one heck of a leader.

I truly believe that attitude, on both ends of the attitude spectrum, plays a huge role in life, especially in sports during the games.  A positive attitude keeps players up and creates great momentum that can lead you to victory.  A negative attitude can be infectious amongst teammates (or co-workers) and instead of focusing on the positive results you can accomplish, people spend more time on what did, is or can go wrong.  A team with a positive attitude, especially amongst its leaders, also allows you to overcome adversity that may come your way and allow you to reach your goals.  The Saints seemed to have this yesterday based on some of the Choices made by their head coach, Sean Payton.

Towards the end of the first half, with the Saints down 10-3 and on the Colts 3 yard-line, Payton went for the touchdown from 2 yards out on 4^th down.  The Colts stopped them and, keyboards, critics and fans all went crazy with typing and chatter.  The Saints then held the Colts to 4 plays and out, got the ball back and hit a field goal as time expired to go into halftime trailing 10-6.  Not sure what transpired in each locker room but despite the Colts leading, I think the Saints were the more confident team.  They reinforced that as the 2^nd half opened and they attempted one of the gutsiest plays ever in the biggest game – an onside kick.

After a nasty scrum where it comes down to who wants it more, the Saints recovered and momentum stayed on their side.  The lead changed a few times but in the end, Manning was not able to lead his team to a comeback and Brees was named MVP, bringing the first Super Bowl Championship to a city in desperate need of something positive to embrace after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.   After the game, Coach Payton said the question was not if they would try an on-side kick but when?  Now that’s confidence as well as a positive attitude that becomes infectious to the people you lead.

In the end, the Saints appeared to want it more maybe since only one player had a Super Bowl ring prior to this game.  I would hope they would not run over their own mother to get one like our opening quote from newly elected Hall of Famer, Russ Grim, but they did just about everything else needed for it.