"I Shall Finish The Game"

"I Shall Finish the Game". If that message doesn't resonate you must be dead. If you’re an athlete, businessmen, or any sort of competitor read on.

I was flipping through the channels during a commercial break as my beloved NFL team, the Cleveland Browns, received yet another Sunday thrashing. I happened upon the re-run of one of my all-time favorite films "Young Guns II" featuring the sarcastic and confident outlaw Billy the Kid played by Emilio Estevez. In a climactic scene Billy was arguing with his pal and he imparted that story of the three Chinamen gambling. Billy's takeaway message to his friend was simple yet LOADED "I (we) Shall Finish the Game". Click on the video link below to watch how Billy’s story ties in at the end of the movie (warning to the parents and kiddos as it’s a bit violent).

I SHALL FINISH THE GAME. So, what does that mean in the context of fitness, sport, and competition? To me it means the ability to say to yourself, “my competition may have got the best of me today but I will follow through NO MATTER WHAT". Or "I don't feel like training today but I'm going to finish strong NO MATTER WHAT". “I may or may not have accomplished what I set out to accomplish today, yesterday, or over a sports season but I will stay the path NO MATTER WHAT. I’ll stay focused and do what I can and. right now I CHOOSE to finish the game.

At one time the Ohio State Buckeyes football  team would chant the above words before running out of the tunnel in front of 100,000 spectators.

I SHALL FINISH THE GAME may speak to you differently. Just like a good lyric it’s what you make of it. You have to remember those words or images that speak to you.

Don't second guess yourself. Don't second guess your training. If your on a team don't doubt your teammates. As an individual never doubt yourself and your ability to stick with a fitness plan or any plan. If you decided to commit to a sport, a training plan, or goal you had best finish the game. Don’t flake on yourself. Finish the game. Leave it all out on the field. Finish the game. Follow through. Finish the game. Go out in "a blaze of glory”. Finish the game. GET IT.

By the way that Young Guns II soundtrack is INSANE! Maybe the Cleveland Browns need to watch that movie…and read this blog.

Later on,

Coach Hendershot