The Boys In the Corner
Written by Dr. John Livingston.
I passed out flyers announcing Monday’s City Council meeting to 35 neighbors. I got to talk to 17. Two were against our position and two were undecided. The rest agreed with us. Four didn’t want their name on a list but were on our side.
Several attorneys were very upbeat about our position, and one told me a story worth repeating.
50 or so people are in the back bar at The River Club. These are all nice very well-meaning people. An “objector” from Preserve Plantation comes walking in and they say, "Hey you guys are getting it handed to you by the City Fathers—just give up.” In the corner are 4 prominent and respected attorneys. Two of them have retired from the bench and one of the group is a retired Attorney General. The other has practiced real estate law for 40 years. They say, “Your side is documenting an incredible legal case for the record. The City Fathers many times don’t even understand your tactics and they sure don’t understand your strategic end game.” Take a few more on the chin and get ready for the fourth quarter.
When I heard this story, I was reminded of three great men in my life—all football coaches—two in the NCAA Hall of Fame and one in the OHIO High School Hall of Fame (four times winning 4 State Championships).
I never heard any of those coaches dwell on “winning”. They were relentless in their pursuit of the things that it takes to win. The third coach followed a simple routine. Our team prayer before games had nothing to with winning:
“We ask that we may be able to do our best and our success will be in proportion to the effort put forth.” Nothing more. Do your best and winning will take care of itself.
The thirty games that I played for him and his pregame pep talk was always the same:
“Tonight’s game will be won by the team that runs the fastest, blocks the hardest, tackles the hardest and executes the best in THE FOURTH QUARTER.
The fourth quarter for Preserve Plantation and the Plantation Neighborhood is right around the corner. One more hit to the chin or one more body blow and the fourth quarter will be where our team will excel.”
Who would you rather have argue your case before a judge, the good old boy’s sipping down complimentary beverages and talking smack—or the guys in the corner?