The Dash

When you die, there's going to be a tombstone. It's going to have your name, the year you were born and it's going to have the day you died. In between there's going to be a dash, and that dash is going to represent everything that you did in your life, good and bad.  That's how you're remembered.  What do you want your dash to represent?

- Tim Tebow

 

Calling all Lions!!

Heartbroken...

After the utter thrashing we took on Saturday I would be lying if I said I still wasn't hurting. There was so much riding on that game (much more than a mere mythical BCS National Title); truly a chance at immortality. Not only did we lose but we never showed up, and more than anything that hurts the most. However, I have found comfort in the words of a past American legend, Theodore Roosevelt:

"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."

While Saturday's sadness is something I will never forget, the memory of this senior class (and most notably their leader Tim Tebow) will be a guiding example of how to live as a lion. Sure there were losses, but you can never know the true sweetness of victory without having tasted the bitterness of defeat.

Gator for a Day...

The mantra states "Lion for a Day", but for the purposes of this post I ask that we change it to "Gator for a Day". I had hoped to do this on Saturday after one of the finest performances in recent memory capped one of the finest careers in college football history, but I didn't get around to it until today. If you haven't caught on just yet, I wish to pay special tribute to a man who's likes I'm never likely to see again in my lifetime. I speak of none other than Mr. Tim Tebow.

His story has been published far and wide at this point, and I certainly don't wish to further dilute the true potency of his legacy, but I would surely be remiss if I didn't take a moment to honor one of the greatest "Lions" of our time. Tebow has amassed numerous trophies and records during his 4 years in Gainesville, but he summed it up well when he was asked before his final game in the Swamp this past Saturday about how he might be remembered, and he said, "I hope they remember how much I cared." His passion, for all things good and righteous, is what truly makes him a lion like none other.

At this point there are but two battles left for this giant, and I wish to tip my hat to his greatness both on and off the field. He is truly an inspiration, and having him be Ethan's first "hero" has been a real joy as a father. Enjoy this highlight film from the 2008 Championship season with clips of both Tebow and his counterpart on the defensive side, Brandon Spikes. (Hard to deny watching the Gators with Rocky playing in the background!) Go Gators!!