I know it’s not Father’s Day – but I think of this moment every time I watch the Olympics so I’m resending this daily attitude email from a few years ago.
Father’s Day Lookback: Derek Redmond 1992 | NBC Sports (youtube.com)
This is one of my favorite father-son moments from sports.
Derek Redmond is running the race of his life, on the grand stage of his sport and the unthinkable happens: he pulls a muscle and can’t finish the race.
As he hobbles along, trying to just cross the finish line his dad comes running out from the stands and helps him across the finish line.
Imagine what is going through his mind.
I can’t believe this happened.
I’ve wasted so many hours and years training.
I failed.
And then comes this loving gesture from his dad.
His dad swoops in and puts his arm around him and helps him across the finish line.
Together, they showed that sports are more than just winning and losing. More than an injury at the worst possible time. It was about the love of a father for his son.
I have been very blessed to have a father and father-in-law who have shown me this same love. I work to show my kids this same love every day.
Maybe we all can’t be fathers who run out on the track during the Olympics.
But we can all be that person to run in and put our arm around someone and show that we are there for them in their moment of pain and weakness.
We can be strong for someone we love.
We can inspire others to love and serve one another.
We all will struggle at one point or another. My sincerest hope is that we will all also have someone in our lives to run in, put their arm around us and help us across the finish line.
Make it a great day.
Jake
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