The Burden Of The Runner Up
CHRIS DT GORDONThe burden of the runner-up
One foot.
That’s all it was.
One foot kicking the ball.
The ball sailing one foot over our goalie’s hands and into the back of the net.
Our boys (one of them my own) played extremely well and hard for 70 minutes yesterday afternoon in the championship soccer game, our roster shortened by two players before the starting whistle. We cycled them through substitutions for momentary breaks and when they sustained an injury (only one was game-ending), and they played better than the morning’s contest when they won 9-2.
However, the other team was equal to our own (other than having more players on the bench), and 12 inches meant the difference between champion and runner-up in the 1-0 match.
So, does that make us “the first loser?” That notion certainly exists in our current culture (Google “Buffalo Bills Super Bowl appearances“).
However, for the sake of our kids’ mental health as well as overall social acceptance of all second-place finishers, we must recognize and honor the runner-up.
Participants (the vast majority of whom are amateurs) pour hours of time, buckets of sweat, blood, and tears, who knows how much money, and invaluable emotional energy into their efforts, and to just miss the summit of their goal is heartbreaking. Overlooking their sacrifices and calling them “the first loser” is, while seen as accurate by some, dismissive and disrespectful.
Let’s raise high the runner-up! They need to know that we recognize their anguish but are still impressed and inspired by their talents and efforts. That recognition just may help them acquire the foot they need (body part, measurement, or metaphorical reference) to succeed next time.
CHRIS DT GORDON
Chris DT is a family man, online middle school special education teacher, professional speaker, author, runner, martial artist, and pop culture enthusiast (aka geek).
He is also a survivor of a life-threatening disease who uses his story and message to inspire and motivate others to overcome their challenges with gratitude, positivity, and resilience, and achieve their greatness on their own terms!
Learn more about Chris here:
https://chrisdtgordon.com
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