db: Biffle and Sancho redux

Hey, just want to bring you a couple quick updates on two stories I did towards the end of the Elites season last year.

Dateline: Sabine River Elites 2015, #1

Hey, just want to bring you a couple quick updates on two stories I did towards the end of the Elites season last year.

First up: Tommy and Sharon Biffle

Last August I wrote this story, Tommy Biffle Asking For Prayers.

In a very halting voice, that morning my good friend Tommy tried hard to explain, tried hard to tell me that his wife of 34 years, Sharon, suffered “a massive heart attack,” needed open heart surgery and “was in bad shape, db, bad shape.”

Tommy, as I knew he would, as any great husband would, put his world on hold to be with his wife. From that phone call to me on, he never fished another Elite tournament in 2014.

But my bud is back in 2015.

“Sharon is doing a lot better, the doc said her heart is functioning at about 40 percent, db that’s as good as it is going to get. My daughter is with her, Sharon walks everyday, it was touch and go but Sharon is strong…”

Tommy missed the last two Elite events of 2014, “The first tournaments I have missed in 30 years.”

If you click on the link above and read the original story take notice of the fact the story got over 11-THOUSAND likes, 146 Tweets, 176 comments. I say that because Tommy and his family saw that outpouring. From Tommy:

“db please tell the people I really…”

And suddenly one of the toughest men I know, couldn’t speak. I put my hand on his shoulder, told him, “I know man, I know…”

“…tell them db (deep breath) tell them that all the (he stops talking again, wipes his eyes) please just tell them, all their prayers (he bows his head and looks up at me) all those prayers worked for my Sharon, db.”

Thank not us my friend, thank the man who heard all those prayers.

Love you Tommy.

Love you Sharon

Both, in our prayers.

Next Up: Joe Sancho

After the 2014 season ended I did a story about Elite rookie, and now friend, Joe Sancho. Here’s the piece: In Celebration of Joes.

The season did not go well for Joe, he finished about in last place, got beat up pretty bad.

As it should be. Joe was a “real” rookie, not some fake rookie who comes here after spending years on the rival tour. Joe spent the years before coming here as a NECA/IBEW Electrician in New York City Local #3.

In the story, In Celebration of Joes, I made the case, maybe actually pleaded that Joe, and “real” rookies shouldn’t be “one and done” but given a chance, at least a chance to have a sophomore season…if they flame out then…that too is as it should be.

“They heard you db, my sponsors heard you.”

Yep, Joe Sancho is back.

“Last year db, no matter how prepared you think you are for it, you ain’t. I got me a first class butt kicking.”

Trust me, I’m not kidding when I say the veterans of this sport here are great…

“…no doubt about it, these guys are the Top 100 for a reason. I had high expectations for myself and I didn’t even come close. That last event in New York, my home state, when it was over and I drove home, drove home alone, it was easily the hardest drive of my life, I was so disappointed with myself, horrible.”

And to this all I say is…“Good.”

There are no free passes to greatness. There are bridges to it though.

Bridge 1: A butt kicking (checked).

Bridge 2: You survive the butt kicking and come back, wiser (this season for Joe).

Bridge 3: You belong (the toughest bridge to cross).

Joe my friend, Welcome Back.

Joe my friend, anything worth having comes with bruises.

Joe my friend, in my life I have never had any success that wasn’t preceded by horrible, tear filled, absolute failure.

And while I didn’t much appreciate it when it was happening, I do now.

Now, I don’t accept failure, but failure has shown me I’m strong enough to survive it, and failure doesn’t freak me out anymore, it’s just a focusing mechanism.

Failure is the sweetener of success.

Learn from last year, then let it go.

Today is what matters.

Greatness comes one day at a time, one cast at a time, one fish at a time. Look no further then that, and this my friend, will be your year.

To Tommy.

To Joe.

I personally, and many others as well, are glad you are back.

Cheers,

db