By the time you read this, the outcome of the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins game will be history and the story will be told… but for now all eyes are on Tony Romo, the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, who cracked a rib and punctured a lung during a recent game with the 49ers.
Despite his injuries Romo kept going and pulled off a victory for his team, the Cowboys. Sometimes the win is just about showing up. But who knows how many Cowboy fans took home the lesson of finishing the game, going the extra mile and overcoming obstacles.
When you watched Romo on BigDog Satellite he was playing football. He wasn’t wondering what people were thinking or how much money he’d make. He gave all he had, because that’s who he is… and in the process he inspired his fans to run their own games faster and farther than they ever thought possible.
BIGDOG Satellite will bring you the game with all the thrill and excitement.. but inside the game is a story worth telling. Tony Romo will play football when his ribs heal and in doing what he loves, he’ll inspire us all to go the extra mile.
By the time you read this, Monday’s outcome will be history. The game will be won and the winner called. I can’t predict which quarterback will throw the winning ball, but I can predict the winner. The winners will be the same as in the game of life. They show up, they overcome obstacles and they play to the best of their ability.
There won’t be any wimps playing for the Dallas Cowboys. Players like Romo show up and give their all. They overcome and they never let their team down. The winners will be the fans and followers, watching and cheering and becoming better people than they were before they saw that ball fly across the Texas sky.
Life’s short, don’t sit on the sidelines. Life gives you back what you put in… be the star of your own show and get out there and give it all you’ve got.
When Tony Romo gets that medical release he’ll be anxiously engaged in what he loves, football. In the meantime he’ll be thinking of his fans and his teammates, because that’s who he is. Time passes and turns to history where the story will be told… and for now all eyes are on Tony Romo.
When your story is told all eyes will be on you. Are you playing your best game? Do you get up every time you’re knocked down? Do you cover your team’s back as well as you do your own? Life is tough, but it doesn’t choose the winners and the losers. We choose our own game, play our own field and write our own stories. If you’re ‘in the game’, be in it to win.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
If You’re Looking for Normal
If you spend more than a few hours at the Texas State Fair you’ll be tempted to try fried Strawberry Waffles, Fried Margaritas, Fried Butter, Fried Bubblegum and Fried Beer, all are appe-teasers… at the 2011 Texas State Fair. I was watching my Big Dog Satellite and thinking "oh for some smell TV or Taste TV"… I might have to go to the Fair.
If your taste buds are sensitive to things you would not normally call food or combinations of otherwise normal food that would not be socialized on a plate, then you’ll be interested in some of the ‘nearly traditional’ foods found at the State Faire.
Keep your eyes open for fresh strawberries and bananas on a kabob stick, because it’s beautiful colors will dazzle in the Texas sun. Even if you tend toward the outrageous you won’t want to miss this one drizzled with Milk and White Chocolate. They’re almost too pretty to eat.
Hidden, like Where’s Waldo, in one of the food aisles you’ll find a Chicken Taco… a gently breaded chicken breast is wrapped and then refried in a flour tortilla. Served hot with your choice of cream gravy or jalapeño ranch dressing. Viva el taco!
If you’ve kept up with the fair menu then you may be considering bring lunch for the kids, because fried beer or gravy filled biscuits don’t mix with the under 6 crowd. Never fear, for pint size visitors there’ll be a Kid’s Menu featuring kid-size helpings of chicken tenders, burgers and cheeseburgers, mini corny dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, and hot dogs. All served with French fries and a juice box or small soda. Amazing.
If your taste buds are sensitive to things you would not normally call food or combinations of otherwise normal food that would not be socialized on a plate, then you’ll be interested in some of the ‘nearly traditional’ foods found at the State Faire.
Keep your eyes open for fresh strawberries and bananas on a kabob stick, because it’s beautiful colors will dazzle in the Texas sun. Even if you tend toward the outrageous you won’t want to miss this one drizzled with Milk and White Chocolate. They’re almost too pretty to eat.
Hidden, like Where’s Waldo, in one of the food aisles you’ll find a Chicken Taco… a gently breaded chicken breast is wrapped and then refried in a flour tortilla. Served hot with your choice of cream gravy or jalapeño ranch dressing. Viva el taco!
If you’ve kept up with the fair menu then you may be considering bring lunch for the kids, because fried beer or gravy filled biscuits don’t mix with the under 6 crowd. Never fear, for pint size visitors there’ll be a Kid’s Menu featuring kid-size helpings of chicken tenders, burgers and cheeseburgers, mini corny dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, and hot dogs. All served with French fries and a juice box or small soda. Amazing.
Sports is Filled With Heroes
Baseball has it’s own breed of heroes. Some suffer untold challenges, some come through trials in triumph and some give and some take. But history confirms that heroes are forged in the fire of adversity and baseball certainly has it’s heroes.
Hurricane Katrina struck the gulf Coast on Aug. 29, 2005. It packed 145 mph winds and left more than a million people without power, 1700 were killed and thousands left the city to become refugees.
Tom Walter was the coach at the University of New Orleans and Katrina left his house under 12 feet of water. He was not alone in the chaos, but he was a coach and he had a baseball team to care for.
For months, Walter spent his efforts supervising his team’s temporary relocation to the campus of New Mexico State. He vowed to assist anyone wanting to transfer to another college, a choice many coaches wouldn’t have made. But even with that sacrifice and demonstration of leadership history could have easily forgotten Tom Walter.
Far fewer would have done what Walter did after that. He donated a kidney to Kevin Jordan, one of his players. Kevin was a 19 year old freshman and Walter couldn’t bare to see him languish on dialysis while his life and opportunities passed by. The decision was made.
Baseball is filled with heroes and it’s not the first time it has shown us what real men are made of. The story of Tom Walter and Kevin Jordan resonated from breakfast table to breakfast table across America, but nowhere was it appreciated more than it was in Dallas.
In 2007 the retired Cowboys cornerback Everson Walls donated a kidney to ex-teammate Ron Springs. Walls and Springs had been friends since sports threw them together nearly 30 years before. So when Springs needed a transplant it was a decision Walls could live with.
The transplant raised the inevitable question of whether this violated a longstanding association rule by providing an “extra benefit” to an athlete. A ‘benefit’ was defined as an arrangement not made available to other students. An extra benefit was indeed conferred and it was extraordinary, beyond any rule.
Ron Springs recovered fully from his transplant, but died a few months later while having minor surgery. One hero goes on while another leaves and the story of why one is taken will not be answered in this life. Walter said, “We answer to a higher calling on this one.”
Sports fans have shared the story of these heroes over beers, boating and breakfast and with their children for years. The long-term effect of the sharing of these stories is yet to be seen. As these inspirational stories multiply across the land, they are planted as seeds in the next generation and will eventually come to bloom.
Real heroes are borne not from success and prosperity. They are forged in struggles, tough decisions and in the worst of times. Maybe in you or your child there is a Hero waiting.
While you drive to the Texas State Fair, tell the children the story of Walter and Kevin and Wall and Springs… plant and water the seeds of a new generation of heroes.
Hurricane Katrina struck the gulf Coast on Aug. 29, 2005. It packed 145 mph winds and left more than a million people without power, 1700 were killed and thousands left the city to become refugees.
Tom Walter was the coach at the University of New Orleans and Katrina left his house under 12 feet of water. He was not alone in the chaos, but he was a coach and he had a baseball team to care for.
For months, Walter spent his efforts supervising his team’s temporary relocation to the campus of New Mexico State. He vowed to assist anyone wanting to transfer to another college, a choice many coaches wouldn’t have made. But even with that sacrifice and demonstration of leadership history could have easily forgotten Tom Walter.
Far fewer would have done what Walter did after that. He donated a kidney to Kevin Jordan, one of his players. Kevin was a 19 year old freshman and Walter couldn’t bare to see him languish on dialysis while his life and opportunities passed by. The decision was made.
Baseball is filled with heroes and it’s not the first time it has shown us what real men are made of. The story of Tom Walter and Kevin Jordan resonated from breakfast table to breakfast table across America, but nowhere was it appreciated more than it was in Dallas.
In 2007 the retired Cowboys cornerback Everson Walls donated a kidney to ex-teammate Ron Springs. Walls and Springs had been friends since sports threw them together nearly 30 years before. So when Springs needed a transplant it was a decision Walls could live with.
The transplant raised the inevitable question of whether this violated a longstanding association rule by providing an “extra benefit” to an athlete. A ‘benefit’ was defined as an arrangement not made available to other students. An extra benefit was indeed conferred and it was extraordinary, beyond any rule.
Ron Springs recovered fully from his transplant, but died a few months later while having minor surgery. One hero goes on while another leaves and the story of why one is taken will not be answered in this life. Walter said, “We answer to a higher calling on this one.”
Sports fans have shared the story of these heroes over beers, boating and breakfast and with their children for years. The long-term effect of the sharing of these stories is yet to be seen. As these inspirational stories multiply across the land, they are planted as seeds in the next generation and will eventually come to bloom.
Real heroes are borne not from success and prosperity. They are forged in struggles, tough decisions and in the worst of times. Maybe in you or your child there is a Hero waiting.
While you drive to the Texas State Fair, tell the children the story of Walter and Kevin and Wall and Springs… plant and water the seeds of a new generation of heroes.
Stay Safe During The Fair … Peace of Mind Is Priceless
With three million people attending the Texas State Fair my thoughts turn to Preparing to be safe. It’s simple, inexpensive and could save your life.
Safety is rarely the result of luck. It’s a combination of making the right decision while others are in chaos and having the confidence to make the best choice of many. There is added value, as those who are prepared can help others and not be a drain on resources.
Preparedness can appear to be a stroke of luck, but as with any success, it’s a process. The suggestions below will serve you well every day and I hope become part of your life. Some things you’ll do before you leave home and a few when you get to the fair. They are all free, easy and will make your day more worry free. Prepare everyday to keep you and your family safe.
After all that has happened this summer, I suppose the entire Texas sky could unexpectedly fall. So, PLAN AHEAD, even before you leave home.
Tune into your Satellite TV the night before, for weather and pay attention to other unusual news items. Be mindful as you dress for the Fair and wear clothing with zippered pockets to carry a phone, credit cards and cash.
Before you leave your house, plan an alternate route to take home in case of an unexpected event and always have ½ tank of gas.
BE AWARE of your surroundings.
Watch the weather, the exits, disruptions, and the news.
Have a Bug Out Bag (BOB)in your car. This is a backpack with water, snacks, first aid kit, comfortable shoes and a flashlight… as you pack your BOB, think of other items you’d want if chaos reined.
Once you get to the fair…
Check-out the exits on Fair maps as you enter, set-up times to connect, even if only by phone.
If your group is separating, establish a meeting place and an alternate. Have cell numbers in favorites, check-out the exits when you enter a new location, and have the “don’t talk to strangers” talk with children one more time.
If the worst happens and the sky falls, 7000 cars exiting the Fair grounds will turn highways giant parking lots for miles. You’ll have two options; drive your car and be patient or start walking. If you’re planning to drive, check your gas, put your Bug Out Bag (BOB) in the car, take alternate routes if possible and call someone and tell them where you are and where you’re going.
Under the right (or wrong) conditions you might leave your car and walk. Chances are you’ll make better progress on foot, but chose this option only if it’s daylight, the streets are safe and you have somewhere to go.
Then go and enjoy the Fair, knowing that if the Texas sky falls, you will know where your family is and have the ability to keep them safe.
These precautions are basic, but will serve you well for an event, trivial or traumatic. Even on a clear summer day if you are only driving to a soccer game know your route, have your BOB and know where your family is. Peace of mind is priceless.
Safety is rarely the result of luck. It’s a combination of making the right decision while others are in chaos and having the confidence to make the best choice of many. There is added value, as those who are prepared can help others and not be a drain on resources.
Preparedness can appear to be a stroke of luck, but as with any success, it’s a process. The suggestions below will serve you well every day and I hope become part of your life. Some things you’ll do before you leave home and a few when you get to the fair. They are all free, easy and will make your day more worry free. Prepare everyday to keep you and your family safe.
After all that has happened this summer, I suppose the entire Texas sky could unexpectedly fall. So, PLAN AHEAD, even before you leave home.
Tune into your Satellite TV the night before, for weather and pay attention to other unusual news items. Be mindful as you dress for the Fair and wear clothing with zippered pockets to carry a phone, credit cards and cash.
Before you leave your house, plan an alternate route to take home in case of an unexpected event and always have ½ tank of gas.
BE AWARE of your surroundings.
Watch the weather, the exits, disruptions, and the news.
Have a Bug Out Bag (BOB)in your car. This is a backpack with water, snacks, first aid kit, comfortable shoes and a flashlight… as you pack your BOB, think of other items you’d want if chaos reined.
Once you get to the fair…
Check-out the exits on Fair maps as you enter, set-up times to connect, even if only by phone.
If your group is separating, establish a meeting place and an alternate. Have cell numbers in favorites, check-out the exits when you enter a new location, and have the “don’t talk to strangers” talk with children one more time.
If the worst happens and the sky falls, 7000 cars exiting the Fair grounds will turn highways giant parking lots for miles. You’ll have two options; drive your car and be patient or start walking. If you’re planning to drive, check your gas, put your Bug Out Bag (BOB) in the car, take alternate routes if possible and call someone and tell them where you are and where you’re going.
Under the right (or wrong) conditions you might leave your car and walk. Chances are you’ll make better progress on foot, but chose this option only if it’s daylight, the streets are safe and you have somewhere to go.
Then go and enjoy the Fair, knowing that if the Texas sky falls, you will know where your family is and have the ability to keep them safe.
These precautions are basic, but will serve you well for an event, trivial or traumatic. Even on a clear summer day if you are only driving to a soccer game know your route, have your BOB and know where your family is. Peace of mind is priceless.
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