The Nay Sayers

I was on the computer this morning and noticed a story when I first opened up yahoo.  It was a recap of the Broncos vs Jets game last night and talked about how Tim Tebow pulled off another amazing come from behind victory.  I know that not too many days ago I wrote about not liking professional sports much anymore.  That still stands.  There are individuals that I am a fan of and Tim Tebow happens to be one of them.  I saw a story where the Jets were knocking his style of play and how it wouldn't be too hard to figure out.  Well, they may have figured it out but they didn't stop it when it mattered the most and somehow the Broncos figured out a way to get it done and win the game.

When I moved to Florida in 2005 I decided that I needed to pick a team to support in the state.  Technically between the big 3 schools in the State - Florida State, Miami or Florida.  Out of those three Florida was the team that I disliked the least and they had just brought in Urban Meyer from Utah.  I am not a Utes fan but was a Mountain West fan and decided that I would go with the Gators.  I pulled for them and hoped they would do well.  Well, I think I picked the right team.  In any case, living in Florida and watching Florida football there was a lot of excitement about Tebow.  There was a lot to like about Tebow and it became very apparent that he was a winner.  Certainly his college career manifests that.

As he was moving on to the NFL there was plenty of negative commentary about his skill set and his ability to play quarterback at that level.  There were and still are a lot of nay sayers out there.  There are a lot of people that just don't like him.  I guess that is okay.  Nobody says you have to like him.  I happen to be one that does like him.  I happen to believe that he can be successful.  As I followed him at Florida I saw a true leader.  He lifted his team and had the will to win.  l couldn't help but root for him.

So as I awoke this morning and read that story and watched a little video I was happy for Tebow.  Happy to see him do well when there are so many that say he can't.  I also thought about the nay sayers and remembered this verse from my favorite poem.

There are thousands to tell you it can not be done
There are thousands to prophesy failure. 
There are thousands to point out to you One by One
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle right in with a bit of a grin
Just take off your coat and go to it
Just start to sing as you tackle that thing
It cannot be done, and you'll do it.

Yes I thought about It Couldn't Be Done by Edgar Guest and I thought about Grandpa Al.  It was just a quick little thought as I read that article and I appreciated it.  It is a story worthy of our time.  To see a good young man do well despite many around him who say the opposite was a lift to my spirits.  I certainly see an opportunity to teach my kids about hard work, determination and tuning out the nay sayers.