What's it take to be a Champion?

My Dad always said all you need to do to be a Champion is win!

My Dad was a Champion. He's right there #44 second from the top, fourth from the right, directly back from that giant #77 in the front row. He was a National Football Champion Maryland Terrapin. I got to see this picture through the magic of Facebook. You can click on the picture and get a good look at these guys. Champions. All of them. My Dad taught me everything I know about being a champion. He taught me about winning. He said the more you win the more you are not willing to accept defeat. You don't win championships without winning a lot. You win championships by playing better than you really are. My Dad was in his senior year in this picture. My Dad's team won a Gator Bowl, Orange Bowl and a Sugar Bowl for the National Championship!

My Dad was a natural at pointing out my strengths. My Dad had me Selling Strong from the get go. He pointed out that my greatest strength was making everyone around me play better.  He told me that I was a leader. I credit him for me becoming captain of the varsity baseball team in my junior year and varsity football defensive captain and president of the school ski club. I did those things because my Dad told me I was a leader. He told me leadership matters. A team without leaders will not win.

This brings me to why I haven't posted in a while; Tebo. I am a fan of the Broncos and witnessed the best 9 and 9 season in NFL history. If you pan down through this blog you will see I went a little Tebo crazy. Maybe so, that's why I've waited a while to post this so I can collect my thoughts away from the emotion of an unbelievable season. Tim Tebo epitomizes the Selling Strong philosophy. Maximize your strengths and make your weaknesses irrelevant. By Tebo using his strengths the Broncos' were able to do the impossible. The Broncos were down and out when Tebo finally got his shot. It was a roller coaster season that took us from last to first in the AFC West with a win against the highly favored Steelers in the playoffs. Tebo made everyone around him play better.

My Dad was a national champion. Tebo did it twice! I had no doubts he could play in the NFL, but watching the three game slide to end the season had me (the biggest Tebronco fan ever) doubting our chances against the NFL's number one defense. The Broncos played to win. And did! As he did all season, Tebo gave everyone else the credit, "My teammates make me look a lot better than I really am." And I guess that's my point. To sell strong you must develop a grateful heart so when you finally succeed you will see all those around you who made look a lot better than you really are.

I too would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I would also like to thank Tim Tebo for reminding me how much there is to be thankful for. Go Broncos!