SWENSDAY STUFF

Life’s “Big Plays”
Swen Nater
 
Last Saturday, the Seattle Seahawks, with a record of 7-9, hosted the wildcard team, the defending NFL champions, The New Orleans Saints. The Saints were favored to win by ten and one-half points. However, the Seahawks won the game, 41-36. It was considered one of the biggest upsets in pro football history. During the pre-game show, when asked “What do the Seahawks need to do to win this game?” one of the commentators said, “Chuck Knox said it takes five big plays to win a game.” When the game started, I watched, with Coach Knox’s words in mind, counting the big plays for both teams. The Saints had only two but guess what? The Seahawks had exactly five.

All plays are important but “Big Plays” turn the momentum of a game. I guess I consider a long pass for a touchdown a big play, if it happens at the right time. The Seahawks did that. But, when they stopped the Saints on third down (The Saints are, I believe, number one in third down conversions this year.), now that was a big play because it stopped the Saints’ momentum. The Seahawks also recovered a fumble—another big play that gave them the ball in good field position. A third down conversion of their own, when the Saints had tied the game and had momentum, was a big play. Their last big play was a touchdown run where Marshawn Lynch broke five tackles. That put the game out of reach.

They say, sport is a microcosm of life. In many ways, the things you learn by being part of a team—hard work, cooperation, filling a role, competitiveness, self-control, initiative, loyalty—have direct application to being a successful parent, partner, and professional. So, when that game was over, shocked by how accurate Chuck Knox was, I thought, ‘Is this true in life? Are there big plays in life as well—decisions that change momentum and direction in a positive way?’ Let’s see.

Off the top of my head, here are my Five Big Plays of Life that, if made, can help win the game of life. 

1. To Be Subordinate to God, Rather Than Run Your Own Life

2. The Type of People You Decide to Socialize With

3. Getting an Education that Will Allow You to Do What You Want to Do

4. The Person You Will Marry

5. The Kind of Parent You Will Be

Some may argue there are six “Big Plays” in life, but I don’t believe, “Paper or Plastic,” is quite as important as the rest.