Commitment to Excellence

I love the Las Vegas (nee Oakland, nee Los Angeles, nee Oakland again) Raiders. I have followed them for years.

Cable did not televise the Raiders game last week in northern New Jersey. I followed the score on my iPhone. It seemed like they could easily win the game as they recovered a fumble close to their end zone with less than 5 minutes left in the game. They did not score a touchdown and had to settle for a field goal. They also left a lot of time on the clock for the other team to score a touchdown. A few minutes later, the opposing team scored a touchdown as time ran out. The game was over and it seemed that the Raiders had lost. However, the touchdown was reviewed and the replay official overturned the other team’s touchdown. I have looked at the final play numerous times. I think the other team scored the winning touchdown and the Raiders should have lost.

The Raiders should never have been in the position to lose the game. They did not make the most of their opportunities. They recovered a fumbled punt, close to their end zone, with less than 5 minutes remaining and they could only get a field goal. They had two opportunities. The first was to score a touchdown. The second was to run down the clock so the other team had very little time to score the winning touchdown. When they gave the other team the ball back after their field goal, the Raiders allowed them to march down the field. It seemed that the Raiders refused to tackle their opponents when they had the chance. Time after time, they had the opportunity to end the opposing team’s drive and win the game. But they could/would not. Instead, they relinquished control of the game and they relied on an official to save their season. 

I love the Raiders, but I demand more excellence. Step up and win the game on your own. Take advantage of every opportunity. Do not get into the position that you have to rely on others to get the job done. Never waste a chance to win.

Just Be Better

Stay Strong, Stay Healthy