During the last drive of the game, the Giants were pinned up against their own end zone, and had to go to the length of the field down by a score of 49 to 10. There was about a minute and a half to go. The Giants had their third-string quarterback in, Tommy DeVito from New Jersey. Tommy is an underdog. Tommy’s a local kid who still lives with his Mom. Tommy was on the field because they had no one else to play.
Short complete pass. Short run, first down. Plugging along the Giants made play after play. They advanced the ball to midfield. After a couple of other plays, they had some momentum growing. At 30 seconds left in the game, there was a penalty, a review, a couple of small plays, and finally, Sterling Shepard caught a 2-yard pass in the endzone and scored. Touchdown!
They scored a touchdown with under a minute remaining in a meaningless game. So what does it matter?
To me, it matters for everything. What we do in education matters. Our interactions with people matter. This blog matters because it impacts people.
The Giants and Tommy DeVito provided. Hold on to possibilities existing. This kid continued to play hard and give it everything he had despite the outcome or the score. Grit, he showed grit and an energy that I think is contagious to others. Yogi Berra said, “it ain’t over until it’s over.” I think it’s important that we finish our journey whether it is a class with kids or a project at school. Finish what you start. The Giants were getting creamed yet they played right until the end. Kept trying to do better, trying to grow, trying to score.
Isn’t that what it’s all about in life?
It’s the times we succeed that we remember the most, not the ones we failed. The Giants failed over and over again. So many times during the game that the people lost count yet tt was this last drive, where they succeeded and played together, led by Tommy DeVito. Who knows if he’ll ever make it in the league but in this moment he was a star. I actually cheered and put my hands up and felt all sorts of emotions for my beloved Giants, even though they got creamed. I know my Dad in heaven would’ve like that play, I certainly did and that’s why I’m sharing it with you today.
Even when you get creamed, keep showing up and keep rolling friends. If I can help you in any way don’t hesitate to reach out at @andrewmarotta21 on Twitter or andrewmarottallc@gmail.com!
