Winning comes in many different forms

What is winning?

It’s not always as black and white as numbers on a scoreboard. There can be factors involved that make a person feel as if they’ve won, even when others might think they’ve lost.

Deb and I went to the Corning American Theater Friday night to see Woody Harrelson’s new movie, “Champions.” I’ll hold off on too many spoilers regarding the movie, because if you haven’t seen it yet I recommend it. A terrific, feel-good story.

Bottom line, you come away realizing that you can be a champion regardless of the score. Harrelson’s character, working in Des Moines no less, comes around to learning humanity beyond the X’s and O’s of basketball coaching as he works with developmentally disabled athletes while performing community service. As a basketball coach in Creston since 1997, I could relate to some of the experiences portrayed.

I recently decided to step down as a head coach at the middle school level, hoping to stay involved as an assistant for young, up-and-coming coaches. Some thought I should have stopped the head coaching gig a year earlier, when the 8th grade team was undefeated and so much fun to take into battle. Of course, it was enjoyable and those are great kids with bright futures at the high school level.

But, that would have been the easy way to step down. Just like when I ventured off to Orient-Macksburg for a time, sometimes the groups that are more challenged to succeed in competition give you tremendous experiences as well. This year’s team did not win a game. It wasn’t for trying, but we just didn’t quite get over the hump.

Those kids showed up every day in practice after defeat, listening to me and trying to get better. They have faced adversity, and learned the value of working for each other to do their very best, and to walk off the court with their heads up because they gave it their all.

To me, they are winners. In life.

Meanwhile, many Creston residents watched the NFL draft closely last weekend, hoping to hear the name of Iowa State offensive lineman Trevor Downing of Creston. He was hoping to become Creston’s first-ever NFL draft selection.

But, late in his Jan. 28 appearance in the NFLPA senior all-star game in the Rose Bowl, Downing suffered a dislocated kneecap. Recovery wasn’t swift enough to do some of the agility and movement drills at ISU’s pro day on March 20. His stock dropped, as some NFL team representatives felt he wouldn’t be ready to perform in mini-camp.

So, Downing and his agent were contacted by three teams after the draft regarding the possibility of signing an undrafted free agent contract. There is usually a signing bonus, and stipend and living quarters while trying to make the team and earn a player salary. Not a lot is guaranteed.

Before the knee injury, Downing felt he was mentally and physically ready for the NFL challenge. Now, it’s more complicated. There are also life issues. Trevor has dove in head first to help his father, uncle and grandfather plant crops on a large number of acres in their family farm, filling the void from the recent death of an employee. All he’s ever really wanted to do since he was a young boy was farm, with at least as much passion as he’s had for football.

Ask anyone around the Iowa State program and they will tell you nobody gives more to succeed as a teammate than Trevor Downing. But, in deciding this week whether to accept an offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers, there’s been a lot to think about. The knee has been healing, but the timing was unfortunate for draft preparation. His girlfriend is graduating from ISU this month and will soon begin a job in the Creston school district.

They could begin their adult life here as he’s always imagined it, or pursue the football dream without the regret of not knowing if he could have made it or not. He is scheduled to inform the Steelers by mid-week of his plans. He would report next week if he accepts.

By the time this is published, perhaps that decision has been made. But I will tell you, he’s a winner either way, because he’s on the Mount Rushmore of Creston football history as a three-time all-state high school player and first-team All-Big 12 player in 38 starts for the Cyclones. Big 12 All-Academic, as well! That’s the ultimate role model for young Creston athletes.

I once moved to “the next level” to write for a bigger paper in a larger city. But, I was working the night shift and Deb worked days at the YMCA, and our boys were ages 1 and 4. When a Creston newsroom vacancy occurred a year later, I jumped on it. It was a better life for us with more schedule flexibility. Colleagues at state softball that summer thought I was crazy when I said we were moving back to Creston.

There are many ways to win in the game of life.

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Contact the writer:

Email: malachy.lp@gmail.com

Twitter: @larrypeterson