What do the New England Patriots in the 2017 Super Bowl, Kerri Strug in the 1996 Olympics and Serena Williams at the 2005 Australian Open all have in common? They all were top performers who found themselves at a deficit with the world watching. Yet, they didn’t give up. They came from behind, overcame adversity and won. This is a good reminder that when we fall behind and we think that the game of life is over, remember these examples of perseverance.
New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI (2017): The Patriots, led by Tom Brady, were down 28-3 against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter. What followed was an unprecedented recovery in Super Bowl history. The Patriots scored 25 unanswered points to tie the game, sending it into overtime. They then scored a touchdown on their first possession in overtime to win 34-28, marking the largest comeback in Super Bowl history.
Kerri Strug in the 1996 Olympics: During the women’s gymnastics team competition at the Atlanta Olympics, the United States was in a tight battle with Russia for the gold medal. Kerri Strug, the last American gymnast to perform, injured her ankle during her first vault attempt. Despite the injury, she knew her team needed her to vault again to secure the gold. In an iconic moment of grit and determination, Strug performed her second vault, landing on one foot, and clinched the gold medal for the U.S. team. Her performance became a defining moment in Olympic history, symbolizing courage and perseverance.
Serena Williams at the 2005 Australian Open: Serena Williams’ performance in the 2005 Australian Open is a testament to her incredible fighting spirit. In the semi-final against Maria Sharapova, Williams was down 2-5 in the final set and faced three match points. However, she refused to give up, displaying remarkable resilience and mental toughness. Williams saved all three match points and went on to win the match, eventually winning the tournament. This comeback is considered one of the greatest in tennis history and highlights Williams’ never-say-die attitude.
These are just a few examples of from the world of sports, but there are countless examples of people who fought against the odds and won. Find those stories that inspire you and keep them handy the next time people or worse, you, feel like you are going to lose.
Your Head Usher,
Marilyn
