The Gift of the Moment

Saturday morning, we woke very early and made the trek to Columbus for the annual clash between Ohio State and Michigan (won by the Buckeyes 37-7). All week I had been reading comments from some of Ohio State's senior football players talking about the game and how they could not believe that their careers as a Buckeye were coming to an end.

Dane Sazenbacher (pictured above in Saturday's game) was quoted often in our local paper because he is a Toledoan. He shared about how emotional the week would be for him and that his career just seemed to fly by.

On football Saturday mornings in Columbus, the band and thousands of fans gather at St. John Arena (OSU's old basketball arena) for the "skull session." The band runs through their pre-game and halftime shows in preparation for the afternoon's game which helps to get the fans fired up. Immediately before this (2 hours before kickoff), the team stops in on their way to the stadium to get prepared for the game. One of the senior players says a few short words and then Coach Jim Tressel addresses the crowd. The players then leave to the band playing "Fight the Team." It is a very cool thing!

This past Saturday at skull session, I kept watching Sanzenbacher as he walked in, something he had done close to 30 times now in his career. This time was different though. He could not stop looking around. It was obvious he was taking it all in, knowing this would be the last time he experienced this as a player. This emotional moment even got to me. I tried to explain what was happening to my family but I found it very difficult to speak as I was so choked up.

The thought occurred to me that Sanzenbacher might like to go back to relive some of these moments in his past four years, knowing now that he will not have another one. It's possible that he took these moments for granted and just now, as he approached the end, realized how special these moments were and are.

The same is true for me. I know that I take many moments for granted. I take my breathing for granted. I take my family for granted. I take the sun for granted. The list goes on and on.

The fact is, the breath I just took could be my last. It is possible that the next time I see each of my family members could be my last. I am not saying this to be morbid, but rather so we might realize that every moment is a gift to be cherished. I hope to be looking around in awe at my everyday moments the way Dane Sanzenbacher was on Saturday. I hope to not take anything for granted! I hope that I realize how much of a gift this present moment is. How about you?

Why, you don not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

James 4:14

A Good Name

My son Robbie and I just returned from a weekend trip to Champaign, Illinois where we watched the Buckeyes from Ohio State barely beat the Fighting Illini from Illinois. It was a very fun weekend!

On the way home this morning, we were looking for a place to stop for breakfast. We passed by a couple of local diners that looked to me like they would be worth trying but Robbie said, "No, I'd really rather wait to try to find a Bob Evans." It took us quite a while but we finally found one and enjoyed a great, and really big, breakfast (and one that probably didn't help our arteries much).

Robbie knew what he was getting with Bob Evans regardless of the city we were in. He knew they had a good name so he was willing to wait.

That is a very good thing for a company. It is, perhaps, an even greater thing for an individual. In fact, the Bible says it is better than having great riches. So how is your name?

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver and gold.

Proverbs 22:1

Buckeye Fever

I can't believe it, but football season is officially upon us--yea! Very shortly I will be heading south for Ohio State's home opener and I can't wait. Tonight they take on the Marshall Thundering Herd.

Many are predicting a strong season for the Buckeyes and they are slotted at #2 in the pre-season national rankings right behind the reigning champs, Alabama.

So, tonight we will get a glimpse to see how they look. Will they measure up to what the prognosticators say? Will they overlook Marshall in anticipation of next week's scary opponent, the Miami Hurricanes?

These same questions can be applied to each of us as well. Are you all talk and no action? Do you oftentimes not apply yourself when things are boring or the opponent doesn't seem that tough? God's Word clearly states that we are to be doers of His Word (James 2:26) and we are to work at anything as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossians 3:23).

GO BUCKS!

Life Is But A Mist

I have been a golf fan since my younger days and I loved to follow Jack Nicklaus. I'm not sure exactly why. It could have been because he went to Ohio State and was a Buckeye. It could have been because of his charisma or the fact that he seemed like a good guy. Nevertheless, he was my guy.

I never thought that his record for major golf championships would be broken in my lifetime. Jack has 18 championships to his credit in the four biggies played each year. When Nicklaus was playing, the next closest active player was Tom Watson at 8, so his record seemed insurmountable.

Then along came Tiger Woods who now stands at 14 championships. Up until a few weeks ago, I figured, as did the rest of the world, that he would eclipse Nicklaus' mark by a wide margin. Woods is relatively young and it seemed like a no-brainer that he would soon fly by Nicklaus.

Well, now I'm not so sure. With Tiger's troubles coming to light recently, I don't believe anyone knows what will happen with him. Shoot, he may never play again, we just don't know.

Also in the news was the sad death of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver, Chris Henry, 26. Apparently he was arguing with his fiancee and jumped or fell out of a moving pickup truck and was killed. What a shame.

While sad, both of these stories can be a great lesson to all of us. We don't know what tomorrow holds, only the Lord does. So, let's make today count!

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.

James 4:13-16

The Heart of a Champion

Stefanie Spielman and her family on the field at halftime of a game in September.

Stefanie Spielman, wife of OSU linbacker great, Chris Spielman passed away yesterday after a lengthy bout with cancer. This is very sad for the Buckeye Nation but it is also something worth celebrating.

Chris said this in an article which appeared today in the Columbus Dispatch, "Stefanie has gone home to be with the Lord," he said. "For that, we celebrate, but with broken hearts. I want to thank everyone for their support. ... Together, with your help, hopefully we made a difference in this fight."

When they received the news, they decided to use this for good. She said this shortly after her diagnosis, "I know there's a reason God gave me breast cancer, and I'm supposed to do something with it," she said that year.

This family is an inspiration to me in many ways and as I have read more about Stefanie, my admiration for her has grown. You can get a glimpse of her faith and positive spirit in these words: "I do not feel sorry for myself. I do not wish this would have happened to anyone else," she wrote on July 11, 1998. "I pray I grow stronger with each passing day. I cannot let this get the best of me, and I will not let this ruin the rest of my life -- no matter how long it is."

What a great example of how to live. Prayers to the Spielman family!

Go Bucks!

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:3b-5

Servant Leadership

Earlier this football season, I put up a post about Pete Carroll, USC's charismatic football coach, and how he kept his team loose before their big game against Ohio State.

Well, it appears he does some other things that many don't know about which also help him in his ability to be a great leader. He is a servant of others. Tim Moore from the Audience Development Group, wrote the following piece that I hope you find as interesting as I did:

It's eight at night. A reporter from LA Magazine is camped in Pete Carroll's office; the apex of Trojan football legacy on the USC campus. Suddenly Carroll ends the dialog and says, "I have to be somewhere." The writer asks if he can come along but is summarily refused.

"Absolutely not," says Carroll. The reporter asks again. With the critical eye of Joe Stalin, Carroll hesitates, acquiesces, and tells the writer he'd better change apparel. The USC coach rummages through a closet and flings a polo at the writer like a dished-off shovel pass. "Put this on," he says. The reporter asks, "How come?" Carroll tells the reporter that he might get shot wearing the bright blue. From there the writer struggles to keep up: an animated walk across campus to a waiting van, then to South Central Los Angeles. He tells J.R. Moehringer, now riding shotgun, to lose his notebook. There will be no quotations or formal written summary as it might make the people they'll be talking to anxious.

First stop, a group of guys on the street: maybe stoned, maybe drunk and possibly armed but to a person, stunned at who is approaching them. Carroll shakes hands, starts talking about football and the tension in the air falls away. They talk about their lives, the police, and other things...a car pulls up. Someone's mother, back from the store. Pete Carroll waves then helps her with groceries, carrying multiple bags. This can't be, she thinks; coach of the tightest, toughest, hippest college football team in the nation, a late night bag-boy? The scene is repeated with several other stops with similar reaction from stunned partisans of the night, until sometime after midnight they head for the obscure van and back to campus.

Carroll explains he feels this ritual is important, necessary in fact, to let these people know someone cares about them and has them in mind. He has found jobs for at least 40 men in these neighborhoods. On this night an emotional young man who thanks Carroll for coming out, places a bracelet on the coach's wrist; something he made and a symbol of solidarity.

Carroll admits few USC fans know of this routine. His wife, Glena, laughs and admits it worried her in earlier times, but not now. She tells LA Magazine writer J. R. Moehringer she's okay with it but drew the line on Baghdad.

If you're a UCLA or Cal fan, you've probably already made up your mind about Pete Carroll and the USC Trojans: arrogant, almost always a notch better, and so damn loose and cocky on the sidelines. If, however, you're ever invited on one of Carroll's after dark recon missions, you might just accept the premise that things are seldom as they appear. Pete Carroll defies the odds on and off the field, just as his boyish never-change-looks defy time. He keeps fun in the game and his players loose and unafraid. Once a card-carrying member of the NFL, he was only a number. Upon becoming the main man of Troy, Carroll became one the most prolific people in all of sports, and Trojan dominance of college football is evidence.

For those of us reaching for significance as leaders in a relatively short life, we'd do well to ask to ride shotgun in South Central Los Angeles with Carroll some night. If not, as an option spend 3 hours watching a Southern Cal game as Carroll strides the sideline in high animation, grinning ear-to-ear, patting players on the shoulders, having the time of his life. That's leadership. That's fun.

Watch Your Mouth!

My son, Robbie and I made the trip to Bloomington, Indiana to watch Ohio State take on the Hoosiers of Indiana Saturday night. Robbie and I had a great weekend together which was helped by the fact that the Buckeyes played pretty well and won easily, 33-14.

During the game we sat in front of perhaps, the most obnoxious Ohio State fan in the world (coincidentally, he is the one who took the above picture). He was not just obnoxious, but he was also LOUD...a bad combination. He would yelled insults at Indiana fans. He yelled at Ohio State players when they didn't do what he hoped they would do. He yelled at the referees. When the Indiana cheerleaders came into the stands to cheer for their team, he even yelled at and booed them.

Not only was this guy annoying to me and others around us, I was actually embarrassed. He was giving all of the IU fans around us a very bad opinion of Ohio State fans. In my experience, I believe most Ohio State fans to be civil and classy people. However, there are a small percentage like this guy who taint the perception of others. Too bad.

The same is true of us as Christ followers. We are all on the same team. We must guard ourselves so that we don't act like the fan who was sitting behind me, otherwise others' perception of Christianity might take a hit.

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:8-10

Hang Loose

On Saturday evening, my wife and I along with some good friends attended the Ohio State vs. USC football game. What a great night it was for football! What an incredible atmosphere it was! The only thing lacking that night was a Buckeye victory (they lost 18-15 when USC scored a touchdown with one minute remaining).

Prior to the game, many were wondering how USC's true freshman quarterback, Matt Barkley would hold up under the pressure of an extremely loud and intimidating environment.

I don't know much about USC's head coach, Pete Carroll, as a person, but I was very impressed with the way he handled his team this night. Before the game I watched through my binoculars as Carroll went from player to player and slapped them five, laughed with them and encouraged them. Then during a critical part of the game, when the stadium was as loud as I have ever heard it, USC called a time-out. As Barkley came off the field to chat with his coach, I watched Carroll laugh with his young player as if to say, "Isn't this fun?"

During a stressful part of a game, most would expect a coach to be serious, not laughing. Most would also expect the same stoic attitude from their leader in a stressful business environment.

Maybe all of us could learn something from Carroll when things are tough. Maybe we need to lighten up a bit and have fun to keep our teams loose.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:13

Joy of a Child

This past weekend I went with my family and some friends to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Navy Midshipmen. It was a great day with great friends...and the Buckeyes won, although the game was way more exciting than it needed to be (OSU let a late lead slip away and eked out a win)!

Prior to the game, I was in the restroom with my good friend Tim and his nine-year-old son Ben. Ben was washing his hands and he pulled the lever on the soap dispenser which gave him some foam soap.

Well you would have thought it was Christmas morning. He turned his hand upside down and with a huge smile said, "Look dad!" He then proceeded to jump around the bathroom with his hand upside down trying to get it to leave his hand. Pure joy in action.

I said to Tim, "Wouldn't it be great to have that joy in our life?" Tim said, "I think we are born with it and then we are taught to get rid of it."

I believe Tim is right. I think we are taught by the world to not be too joyful. Sad.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Bummer

Well, the annual Ohio State bowl loss happened in the desert last night in the Fiesta Bowl. Actually, it just kind of feels that way lately. Ohio State has had some incredible bowl wins in recent years; however, they have lost the last three.

Two years ago, they were pounded by Florida in the national title game. Last year they were soundly beaten by LSU in the championship game and this year they were edged out by a very good Texas Longhorn team on a Colt McCoy touchdown pass with 16 seconds remaining to lose 24-21.

In their last two bowl losses I did not feel good about the games because I felt that the Buckeyes just did not play well. In fact, many say they did not show up at all. The same cannot be said about their play last night.

Nobody was giving Ohio State a chance against the high-powered Texas offense and the experts had Texas as an 8 point favorite. Ohio State held them to their lowest scoring output of the season in nearly upsetting them and I thought they played very well and gave it their all.

No matter what we do in life, whether it is playing football or making a sales call, if we give it our best that is all we can ask. We can then rest easy knowing the outcome is in God's hands.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for men.

Colossians 3:23

Unselfishness

One thing that seems non-existent in big-time sports anymore is taking one for the team. What I mean is, it is rare to see someone who is not only about themselves. Most players on TV are doing some sort of celebratory dance to draw attention to themselves.

That’s one of the reasons I am a huge fan of Todd Boeckman.

Boeckman, Ohio State’s senior quarterback was first team All Big Ten last year (his first as a starter). He led the Buckeyes to a birth in the BCS national championship game against LSU. He played very well most of last season but his performance slipped a little in the last couple of games.

Much was expected of him this season. He was supposed to lead the Buckeyes to their third straight national championship game. However, that was not to be.

An early season drubbing at the hands of USC changed all that. Boeckman did not have a stellar performance and the following week was replaced by Freshman Terelle Pryor.

Expectations would be that Boeckman would complain and throw a fit because he was being benched. Boeckman, one of the team’s captains didn’t do that however. He supported Pryor and said that he understood why Coach Tressel made such a move.

Was he upset on the inside? I’m sure he was. Did he want to be playing? You bet.

But, he put the well being of the team ahead of his own. Very classy.

And, he comes in at the end of Ohio State’s victory over Michigan to throw a picture-perfect touchdown pass. Great stuff! What a great way to end your career!

In my book, Todd Boeckman is MVT – Most Valuable Teammate.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3

Watch Your Mouth!

This past weekend, my family and I headed west to Chicago for the weekend. We spent Friday in Chicago and Saturday we braved the cold temperatures and attended the Ohio State versus Northwestern football game.

The Buckeyes played well and won 45-10. We had a blast.

Later that evening we were watching the local news who were discussing the game. Two different sportscasters stated that Ohio State showed poor sportsmanship by “running up the score.” They claimed that they did this because they ran a fake punt on 4th down and 2 with nine minutes to go and they were leading by 21 points.

I was amazed at what I was hearing. I then thought about all the people who were watching this who did not see the game and how their minds would be swayed into thinking this was the truth simply because it was said from a “trusted” source.

I know that OSU did not run up the score for the following reasons:
1) Coach Jim Tressel doesn’t have a “run up the score” bone in his body
2) The Buckeyes were up 21 points in and were playing in weather conditions that were anything but perfect. With 9 minutes to go and a couple of turnovers, Northwestern could have come back. Sure, this was not probable, but it was not impossible.
3) OSU’s offense has been anemic much of the season and Coach Tressel was probably trying to build confidence for the stretch run.

I bring all this up because we need to be careful what we say. Whoever came up with the slogan “Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me” was wrong. Words can be damaging.

So let’s watch what we say!

Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3

A Higher Perspective

This past Saturday, my son and I attended the Ohio State game versus Ohio University with our new pastor at CrossRoads, Dean Angell and his son.

I am so blessed to have season tickets for these games. I request that I get tickets in C Deck in Ohio Stadium, which is the upper deck. I like it up there because you can see everything, even stuff that happens on the other end of the field (the above picture of my kids shows the perspective we have at games).

Dean mentioned during his message on Sunday that while he was at the game, he noticed that he could see plays opening up like never before. He said this was due to a different, higher perspective. From this vantage point he could see so much more of what was happening on the field than sitting down lower.

He continued and said that the same is true in life. God has a much higher perspective and clearer picture of our lives than we ever could. So let's remember to go to Him regularly to guide us and help us with the decisions we must make.

Blind Date

When introducing this video, I thought about quoting the Bible about having the faith of a child. I also thought about talking about the enemy roaming around like a lion. I could have also talked about standing up for your convictions...but when it gets right down to it, as a Buckeye fan I just think this video is hilarious and I thought you'd like to see it.

National Signing Day

It is called by many the biggest holiday on the calendar of a college football fan. Yes, it's national signing day, when talented high school recruits can sign on the dotted line for the first time, cementing their spot on the roster of the college team of their choosing.

I am embarrassed to say that I pay attention to this stuff. I follow it probably too closely. But it's fun for me. I like to see who the next Buckeyes are going to be and how the staff is working to fill positions of need. I especially like the way that Ohio State coach Jim Tressel goes about it. No promises of playing time. No special favors. He just tells it like it is. I think a lot of players respect that.

Even though this can be fun, I believe it has gotten way out of hand. Certain web sites were inaccessible yesterday due to the large amount of traffic trying to access them. Just to see what player is going where.

There are these mythical rankings of the classes each year which is rediculous. ESPN's can be found here. How can you possibly rank high school players who haven't played a down of college football with any degree of acuracy? There is no way to measure their potential--how much they will grow physically, mentally, spiritually. There is no way to predict what kind of a teammate they will be. There is no way to measure their heart.

Year after year we are shown instances of highly rated players who ended up hardly making an impact on their team. We are also shown players who were never even mentioned during the recruiting days who became key players on their teams. Yet, we don't learn--we still pay way too much attention to these future "stars."

All this foolishness of paying attention to and ranking these players reminded me of a verse from James:

Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you don't even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little hile and then vanishes. James 4:13-14

Just Being There

Someone recently made a comment to me about the Ohio State Buckeyes' football team. They referred to them as the "Buffalo Bills" of college football. They are obviously referring to the fact that the Bills lost four straight Super Bowls and Ohio State has lost the last two National Championship games.

A friend of mine, Brian Keel puts out an incredible weekly devotional via email. His latest one addresses this topic in a great way. I hope you enjoy!

It’s been an interesting twelve month cycle for sports fans in Ohio. It all started in January of 2007 when the Ohio State Buckeyes laid a giant egg in the BCS football championship game. Ohio State then played the same Florida Gators in the final game of the NCAA basketball tournament, and lost. Then the Cleveland Cavaliers made an improbable run to the NBA finals, and lost. The Cleveland Indians made the American League Championship Series and came “this close”, but lost. To top off this incredible run of near misses, Ohio State returned to the BCS football championship game a few weeks ago…… and lost.

Hopefully you noticed that I said it was an interesting year, not a terrible year. No, no trophies were won, no banners were raised, and no parades were held. Even so it was a great time to be a fan. The entire season and postseason were relevant and exciting. Was it a success? Not by some standards I’m sure. But as I told more than one co-worker, “All I know is your team; the _______ weren’t even in the game!”

Psalm 84:10 says “better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere”. We might only get one brief mountaintop experience in our faith walk, like Peter, James and John experienced with Moses, Elijah and Jesus. I don’t anticipate a trophy, a banner or a parade at the end of my life. But being there that one time is enough! Enough to make it all worthwhile.

Leading By Example

One of my favorite Ohio State Buckeye sites is Bucknuts.com. Jerry Rudzinski, a former Buckeye player writes a column every now and then. Recently he wrote about James Laurinaitis, the talented Junior linebacker for the Buckeyes. Last week James made the decision to pass up millions of dollars in the NFL to stay in school for his Senior season.

Accountability and credibility. That is what makes a great captain. James lives both accountability and credibility. As a captain addresses the team and states “team” and “sacrifice” and “unselfishness” and a death-to-self attitude, you want somebody accountable to those words. James led by actions (see Butkus Award), but he also vocally guided the Buckeyes to yet another Big Ten Championship. It is not lip service when he asks for a team-first mentality.

If that guy is captain of my team, you bet I am working my tail off to contribute everyway possible. Laurinaitis did not take the natural path to the riches of the NFL. Even Coach Tressel publicly commented that it made sense for guys like James to leave early.

Think about the situation this offseason – “I am a sophomore for the Buckeyes. It is 90 degrees outside in mid-July. We have to run gassers after a tough lift. James is running right next to me. He won the Butkus. He won Big Ten Championships. He has played in two straight National Championship games. By the way, he just turned down literally tens of millions of dollars to come back for this 2008 season. Gee, do you think I should make my times or should I quit and just go through the motions because I’m so tired?”

I’d really like to see the guy that could look James in the eye during the next 12 months after not giving it everything they had.

Isn't that true? James Laurinaitis will have a big impact on others simply because of his presence. He has shown an unselfishness in this decision. He has shown he cares about his teammates. He has shown he wants to work hard so the team can have success. He has shown how to be a solid citizen and how to love the Lord during this process (He said that he leaned on the Lord to help him with this decision). He is truly a leader--one who leads by example.

Playing To An Audience Of One

I have to admit, one of the things I am most disappointed about in Ohio State's second consecutive title game loss is the perception they have nationally. I am sick and tired of hearing how inferior Ohio State and the rest of the Big Ten Conference is based on two games.

Pat Forde of ESPN actually wrote that should Ohio State qualify for the game next year, they should be banned (read article here).

I am also hearing criticism of Coach Jim Tressel, even from some Buckeye fans. This is a guy who is 30-3 in has last 33 games. That is remarkable. In addition, his top ranked team last year faced 3 #2 ranked teams in the same season (never done before in college football) and won two of those games. Coach Tressel definitely has this team in the right position.

In fact, this years team was picked by most "experts" to finish fourth in the Big Ten! They lose very few seniors so the future is very bright. Leadership is key and that is what Coach Tressel has brought, Christ-centered leadership--and the Buckeye nation is better for it.

As for the nay-sayers. Let 'em keep yapping. If you are doing the right things and pleasing God (and I believe Coach Tressel is), you can't worry about what others say.

Dissapointment in the Bayou

Much to my chagrin, the Buckeyes were drilled again in the BCS Championship game. However, this year, they played much better, out gaining the LSU Tigers; however, penalties and turnovers killed Ohio State and LSU took advantage and made plays when they had to.

This morning I kept replaying plays over in my head and saying, "If only we wouldn't had that penalty. If only we would have caught that ball. If only we would have blocked that punt rather than roughing their kicker..."

If only. Life is full of if onlys. But that's life. We must play with the hand we are dealt and make the best of it. And that's what it appears the Buckeyes are doing.

OSU linebacker Marcus Freeman had this to say, "There were a lot of mistakes and a lot of penalties that occurred that definitely hurt this football team, but take nothing from LSU, they were doing a great job of what they were doing today." No excuses, just telling it like it is.

In any event, it sure is good to be a Buckeye!

Calm Leadership

One of the chapter titles in my book, Bleedership, Biblical First-Aid for Leaders is "Calm Leadership." No one I know of exhibits calm leadership better than Jim Tressel, head football coach at Ohio State.

In a reprint of an article in the Columbus Dispatch, I read this comment made by Doug Datish, a starting offensive lineman on last year's team:

"I don't know if it takes any pressure off, but I think it gives us that sense of--being able to watch him and learn from him over these past five years, it is something I admire about him and try to do myself, and I think other guys on the team try to do the same thing. And I think as you see him exuding that type of confidence and that calm he has about him, it is really something to marvel at, and something that really helps you out."

When you you as a leader act calm in the midst of a storm, it helps the whole team. I sure hope that is the case Monday night! Go Bucks!