Like Nothing Else

by Ryan Krzykowski

Why do we enjoy sports?  What causes us to tune in, or to care about the result of a game involving strangers we’ll likely never meet?  You’re reading this after Super Bowl LIX ended, but I’m typing these words on Friday before the game.  So while you already know how things turned out, I’m wondering if the Chiefs will have enough to win a third consecutive championship.  I’m wondering if the Eagles will be able to run the ball the way they have all season.  And while I’m quickly growing tired of GOAT debates, if Patrick Mahomes happened to win his fourth SB MVP award those debates won’t be stopping anytime soon.  But you know how that all went on Sunday — I just haven’t gotten there yet. 

One thing I do know as I prepare to enjoy another Chiefs title or brace myself for a Super Bowl defeat, is that people care about these games.  But why?  There are probably a thousand different reasons, but preparing myself to feel OK about a Philadelphia victory, I exchanged texts with an old friend and Philadelphia native who is one of the smartest people I know.  Asking him how much an Eagles win would matter to him, I got this reply:

I’m pretty excited about the Super Bowl.  I watch every Eagles game, and I’d like to see them win, partly because they bring the city together like nothing else.

I loved that response — they bring people together “like nothing else”.  There are lot of great things about sports and what playing/coaching/being a fan can do for people, but the idea that a team and a game can actually serve to unite a city of millions is pretty cool.  I’m still pulling hard for the Chiefs, but I’ll feel good about the people of Philly coming together to celebrate if the game goes the other way.

It happens on a much smaller scale, but the games we coach and the young people and families we serve can similarly be brought together if we do this well.

Let’s Coach With Purpose…