The Fire Within Us

BY JEFF PEARSON

SPECIAL (This is Not About Sports) EDITION

One day, Stetson Bennett will realize what he just did. It’s far more important than winning a national championship. On Monday, January 10th, I stayed up past my bedtime to watch a former walk-on quarterback lead his team to win the national title. Two things occupied my mind. First, I wondered, “Does this kid know what he just did?” And second, “Why can’t they play the game on a Saturday?”

I can’t answer the second question. It simply baffles me. But I think Mr. Bennett is starting to realize what he has done. After the game, ESPN reporter Holly Rowe asked Mr. Bennett, “What does your story say to all the underdogs out there?” He replied, “I have no idea. I have no clue…”

As I laughed at his initial response, I almost missed the second part when he said, “I hope it gives somebody a little hope. Just keep fighting. Keep your mouth shut. Work hard. Life’s tough. You just got to fight through it.”

Nice recovery. If Mr. Bennett is anything like most of us were in college, then in many ways he’s still just a kid and doesn’t fully understand the magnitude of what he has accomplished. In due time, he’ll see how what he did transcends sports.

Most of us know Mr. Bennett’s story: He grew up in a small town, dreaming to become the starting quarterback at the University of Georgia (UGA). Undersized, he walked-on to earn a spot on the team. That, in itself, is amazing. Near invisible on the depth chart, he transferred to a junior college. Then he came back to UGA and fought through the ranks of stars to earn the top spot. Fans, coaches, and pretty much everyone doubted he would last. Many wanted him out. But there was one person who believed in Mr. Bennett. Who? That’s right, Stetson Bennett believed.

The real accomplishment here is in the power of believing in yourself. Nobody else on the planet can do that for you. Mr. Bennett’s story gives hope to the underdog. And, by the numbers, the overwhelming majority of us are underdogs. Life’s a hill and we’re all trying to climb it. We have to take the field with all its bumps and holes. Excuses and self-doubt push us backwards. Drive and determination keep us climbing. You’ll find this same attitude in the greats. Think of Michael Jordan, who didn’t make the varsity basketball team the first time he tried out. Tom Brady, the 199th overall pick in the NFL draft. There is a fire that burns inside of those greats. We have it too. That’s why their stories give us hope—in our work, in our life, and in anything that’s hard.

Now, many of Mr. Bennett’s critics would say, “He’s no Tom Brady. He’ll never be a Michael Jordan.” Guess what? That’s exactly what keeps the fire burning. I’ll end with this. Dear Mr. Bennett: In whatever you do next, you’ll do great. Thank you, Sir, for what you gave us.