Opportunism

The topic for this week was fairly applicable for this point in my life. According to the prompt opportunism is defined as taking advantage of circumstances.  There are times when we will give up something that will benefit us in order to give others a better circumstance, is unethical, or we know that there will be upcoming opportunities that outweigh the current one.

Though this may show a certain level of procrastination, the moment that was nearly perfectly applicable was Ahmad Bradshaw’s touchdown run in the Super Bowl earlier today. As the Patriot’s defense opened like the Red Sea (on purpose) Bradshaw burst through the line and could have galloped through the goal line in a moment of glory.  Scoring a touchdown was no doubt a likely dream for this young man’s life. It was the opportunity of a lifetime and would help leave a legacy. Just as he got to the Goal line he paused as he was about to take a knee to stop the clock. This would have destroyed an opportunity but would in the end give his team the opportunity for a chip shot field goal and the title of Super Bowl champions.  If you watched more than the commercials, you know the end to this story as Bradshaw stopped and inevitably fell into the end zone. Maybe he weighed the percentages of the Patriots possibilities of winning, was playing a joke, or accidently leaned too far. Either way, he made a good choice as the Giants went on to win and he got his personal moment. But there have been other instances of players taking knees before touchdowns, passing on personal glory and stats that will add dollars to their bank account for the greater good of the team.

I can also think of a moment during the Illini football season where personal opportunity was sacrificed for the team and the program. This story is filled with a bit more reluctance. I went to San Francisco for the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl and wide receiver, AJ Jenkins, was not very far from having Illinois’ all time receiving record. Then as the game progressed AJ was only 3 yards away from the record. This is the all time record in Illinois History! He knew this and came up to coach begging for the opportunity to go for the record. I could see the begging look in his face and some frustration too. You see this was the end of the game and we could seal the deal by running the clock out meaning not passing to AJ. He agreed and though upset he did not throw a hissy fit or do anything crazy. He went out on the field and blocked for a few more plays and that was his career.  Had he had the opportunity he may have chosen otherwise. The coach also gave up the opportunity to give a kid he cared about the chance for the record. The possible reasons for the coach’s choice may be selfish in that he wanted to win to improve his record and better his chances of getting a job after the season. Then its possible he really cared about the rest of the team and the program. Winning 2 bowl games in a row had never been done in Illinois history. Know this coach for a few years I can quite sincerely say that I believe this was about making sure all the other student athletes walked away with a win. He would have certainly given AJ the shot in different circumstances but he passed on that opportunity for the greater good of the team. (However cheesy that may sound)

Sports though filled with arrogance, can also be one of the most humbling arenas.