A Passionate Man Can Go All the Way
A.J. Blazek
Thursday June 28, 2001
Every player knows what he can do, and what he needs to do to help improve the overall team effort. We know that we can win because we did it the first seven weeks of the season. It’s not a lack of talent; we have numerous players on our team that are among the league leaders at their respective positions. It’s not experience, either; we have enough guys that have played through the ups and downs of the Arena League.
What we lack is passion.
Passion is measured in the desire and effort to be the best on every play. Passion can be seen in a player’s emotion and reaction to different situations. His ability to rebound from a bad play or a slip up shows what he’s made of. Does he get up and try harder? Or does he hang his head and screw up again and again?
Once a man has passion for what he does, he’ll soar to the top of his profession. The man with the greatest passion will be the best. He’s willing to sacrifice more to get to the top. He’s willing to do what it takes to the job done.
Every player on the Rush has some passion, or they wouldn’t sacrifice their bodies day in and day out. But at certain times, there are players that will not go the extra step, put forth the extra effort. It’s hard to do when things don’t go your way. And it’s harder still when you’re in pain from the previous play. Yet, in order to be the best, it has to be done by everyone, every game. When this happens, the Chicago Rush will become a steamroller in the Arena League.
Jamie McGourty has more passion than anyone I’ve ever met. He approaches practice like a job. He is never late and never leaves any business unfinished. This is reflected in his play on Saturdays. I have been in games with McGourty where he has been knocked out cold twice. This would be enough to make some players consider retiring from the game. But not McGourty. He’ll get up and go right back to the huddle and rip someone`s head off the very next play.
Anthony Hutch also demonstrates passion to the fullest. On Saturdays, Hutch approaches every play as a personal war against the guy he’s facing. Take it from me, when Hutch is at his best, there’s no stopping him. This passion to do his best on every single play is one reason why he’s second in the league in sacks right now.
We’re a good team with a good chance at going somewhere. What we lack is the individual drive to be a great team. Effort counts for a lot in this sport, but heart and desire gets you to the ArenaBowl.
Now, I have a challenge for you readers. Ask yourself, "Do I have the passion and desire to be the best at what I do?" This applies to anyone in any profession: businessman, doctor, teacher, etc. If you can answer "yes," then you can probably safely say you are very good at what you do.
If you answer "no," then you should get out of what you’re doing, and find something you feel passionate about. Why waste your time, and the time of the people around you, doing something you care little about? Find something that gets you out of bed in a good mood. Find something that makes you want to give 110% every day to. Figure out where your passion lies. Live your dream, like McGourty and Hutch do every day.
A.J. Blazek was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2001 season.
