A Chris Jones Moment
I’m not a huge football fan. I don’t really have a favorite team, I rarely sit on a weekend to watch a game, but I do love sports and especially watching premier athletes executing their craft.
I did sit down to watch the SF and Philadelphia game because our home team was playing. The team as most of you know had some very unfortunate events, primarily loosing their quarterback early in the game. Philadelphia scored 31 points and SF could not stop them. At the end of the game, emotions were rising and fights broke out between the players as SF saw that they had no hope of winning the championship game. It was sad and disappointing to watch and I was not going to waste my time watching the second game between Cincinnati and Kansas City. I went to work in my office, but left the game on. When I did come downstairs I was drawn to watch a game that had 10 minutes left and score was 20-20! I watch the two teams playing very good football and the opportunity to score shifted between them many times. When Cincinnati had possession of the ball, I noticed Patrick Mahomes on the sideline looking calm and collected. I found it odd at first and I wondered why he didn’t show more emotion? Then the play of the game happened. Chris Jones, who lead his team with 15 sacks this year, broke through the Cincinnati defensive line and sacked the quarterback, Joe Burrow. He had made that same great play before, but this was HIS MOMENT. The moment that counted. This gave Kansas City the opportunity they needed in the game to win the championship. They continued to execute and after a key play it put them in a scoring position, a few players wanted to celebrate, but Patrick Mahomes stayed focused and pointed to the next play position. They executed once again. I got chills when Kansas City’s kicker made the 45 yard kick and Patrick Mahomes smiled, pointed to the sky and ran out on the field to celebrate with his teammates. He is now my favorite football athlete by the way.
Some of my details here in describing the plays and description of the game may not be one of a football commentator, but what I saw was two athletes executing perfectly in the perfect moment. I should say three because without that winning field goal this would not be a story. I watched these athletes and relate to my own drive to refine and perfect my skills in my riding and competing. Am I ready for a Chris Jones moment? I’ve had great runs, noteworthy runs, but can I have that run that needs to happen at the right time and right place? Can I be as cool and calm as Patrick Mahomes when I have 2 good runs down, I’m leading the rodeo and need a 3rd run to win? Will I be able to stay focused and not celebrate a victory too soon. Will I immediately give the glory to God when that victory does happen?
These are all the challenges I have for myself and I want to challenge all of you to have, if you also have big goals and dreams. Let’s all go out there and have our own Chris Jones moment.