This quote always opened a television show that ran from 1961 to 1997. The Wide World of Sports was revered as the sports show of its time. Last Saturday my grandson and his team played their last high school football game. Three plus years of strengthening, practicing. Playing their hearts out. Indeed, a last defeat, an end to their season and the finality of years being together as a team … was in ways just agonizing.

Yes, the scores, the wins and losses were key to a “successful” season. But I told my grandson what my father told me six decades ago. “Son, if you never play in a game … you’re going to be a winner. The commitment, the competition, the bonding with your teammates. The fact that you experienced both the “thrill” and the “agony?” You will take these feelings with you and remember them, benefit from them as you move forward. In college, a career … when you hopefully build a family too.” For the rest of your life.”

I read an article yesterday by the renowned writer, David Brooks titled, “How the Ivy League Broke America.” It described an era when Ivy League colleges like Harvard and Princeton admitted only students of privilege. Money and legacy were the criteria for acceptance. Kids from middle and lower classes were simply not considered for entry.

But Brooks then makes this observation. As elitist as the Ivy’s continued to view themselves and their admissions process? There was a problem. While they accepted those with superior intellect. You know, kids with high SATs, ACTs … straight “As” in high school? They missed some key criteria. The importance of character. Things like, commitment; dedication; the ability to develop and value relationships. Grit and more Qualitative aspects in a person that the Harvards and Princetons ignored in their selections for admissions. Businesses hiring Ivy graduates, who were very smart, intelligent? Lacked some of the skills necessary to navigate our complex world today… by just being smart. Great test scores, great grades. A college education delivering just knowledge. Tudors and coaches for testing. The push by parents to get into a “good” college? While focused on being successful at this college or that? Neglecting the “softer” aspects of character above that may more contribute to success in life.

The point Brooks was making. What is more important today is that we develop the “whole” person. People like my grandson and his teammates. Young men who know what it’s like to put it on the line. Commit and sacrifice for their team, their school … and one another. Kids possessing the character qualities above. The marines: the green berets, the navy seals have all been revered for their dedication and bravery to a cause. Credos to live by that have made them preeminent.

My father was right. Personally, I too played football. I too paid the price to strengthen, practice hard, play my heart out. Lost my last game for league championship. That was in 1963. I can attest to the fact that my values, my determination. Indeed many of the character traits that have helped me. Modestly, made me lead a successful life? Can be attributed to my athletic endeavors. I have still been in touch with many of my teammates. All these years later. In fact, I talk to my team’s quarterback every week.

My grandson and his friends have truly come away from football as winners … absolutely. My bet is they will go on to be successful out of high school in life as leaders in many ways.

Yes, because they put it all out there. Left nothing on the field. And experienced the thrill of the victories while living through the agonies as well.

God speed grandson Jake … well done.