Imagine it.
Imagine your biggest, wildest dream. The one where you swing for the fences. Start the company. Try out for the big role. Pitch the dream client. Ask for the promotion.
Imagine the risk of it.
Every big dream involves risk, because every big dream carries with it the possibility of it not working out.
Nowhere is this more true than in professional sport.
Dr Julius Thomas, NFL legend and 2x Pro Bowl tight end, says, “imagine millions of people tuning in with slow motion and instant replay to watch you at work today.”
Now imagine the day they're tuning in isn't just any day — it's the day you go for gold.
And now imagine…
(sound of record screeching)
It goes terribly wrong.
You swing for the fences — and miss.
In front of millions.
Two weeks ago, on the 4th of January, Tyler Loop stepped up to kick a 44-yard field goal.
The rookie placekicker for the Baltimore Ravens, Tyler had a 90% field goal success rate and had been kicking that distance perfectly. But this particular field goal was different. It was the final play of the final game of the season. Last chance to make it to the playoffs.
He missed the kick — and the Ravens missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
Tyler’s social media was flooded with hate messages. Comments like “you suck” and “1 job” got thousands of likes. Someone commented on his recent engagement announcement, “Hope you get divorced.”
It’s hard to fathom how much emotional courage it takes to play or coach professional sports. Win, and you get the glory — lose, and there’s nowhere to hide.
Everyone feels entitled to an opinion, but very few would be willing to take the risk themselves. Very few can imagine being on the receiving end of the “constructive criticism” offered by the general public. Even fewer can imagine being on the receiving end of the kind of abuse professional sportspeople get subjected to.
Oh, but that’s what they signed up for. It’s what’s to be expected at that level. If they can’t take the heat they should get out of the kitchen.
Maybe. But that doesn’t change the fact that every NFL tight end, every rookie placekicker, every All Blacks head coach is a human being just like you and me — with a notable difference.
They’re willing to put themselves in the position of having millions of people tune in to watch them at work with slow motion and instant replay.
Win or lose, they deserve our respect for that.
