Owning It

You've got to love the American sports media, right?  As many of my wonderful readers and friends know, I am a hopeless sports junkie.  The drive time from city to city is usually filled with ESPN radio or some type of sport-related podcast. 

An interview with Wes Welker today caught my attention.  For those of you who are not hardcore sports nerds (most of you other than me, I know...), Welker, one of the most sure-handed recievers in the NFL had an opportunity to catch a pass late in the Superbowl, that if caught, could have gone a long way to sealing the Patriots victory.  The pass glanced off his hands.  The Giants eventually went on to win the game.  (You at least knew THAT part right??)

The pass, far from perfect, could have been caught; would more often than not have been caught by the Pro Bowl receiver, but again, was certainly not an easy, automatic, no-brainer reception.

In the post-game interview, a red-eyed Welker stood at the press table and owned it.  He flat out took the blame and responsibility for the loss and letting his teammates down.  It was painful, admirable and gut-wrenching all at the same time.

It made me think of how many athletes in the same spot who would have been defiant; how many would have pointed out that the pass wasn't perfect (it wasn't), and how one play doesn't cost the team a game (it doesn't).  But Welker didn't do that.  He stood strong.  He faced the music.

He owned it.

The outpouring of reaction from others following the game was what really fascinated me.  I have heard more times today what amazing football player Wes Welker is than I had in months.  Teammates rushed to defend him.  Media, while still highlighting that his non-catch was a huge play in the game, refused to pin "blame" on him.  They instead gushed about his reliability, consistency, and overall greatness.  While it is likely of little short-term consolation to Welker, he actually emerged with more acclaim, more respect, and more admiration.

And it occurred to me, sometimes it isn't being perfect that others want from us.  It is simply being perfectly willing to be humble, accountable and honest. 

That's something every one of us can aspire to own.