(lessons for The Classic)
“…the moment…”
Dateline: Pluck…
If all you know is, Carpe Diem, you only know a third of the story.
Horace, who wrote the poem didn’t stop with those two words now emblazoned on tee-shirts and coffee cups, here, in full Horace, is what he had to say,
“Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero.”
and the full translation is this: “Pluck the day, trusting as little as possible in the future.”
It is up to you whether you prefer to “Pluck” or “Seize” your day, but to me the most important part of the Horace quote, is the last part, “…trusting as little as possible in the future.”
And for all you dudes fishing the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, if you don’t think Horace knew squat when he wrote that quote somewhere around 30 BC just ask Dan Marino…
“…you own it, you better never let it go…”
Yep…I just connected a famous ancient Roman poet, Horace, and his Ode 1.11 to Roman Numeral XLVII Super Bowl…to Dan Marino…and the Bassmaster Classic.
“…trusting as little as possible in the future.”
We, are given today.
We, are given the moment.
We own our, past.
We own our, now.
Tomorrow, belongs to no one.
Tomorrow, is promised to none.
All we have, is today.
It is the only thing we can seize,
or pluck.
“…you only get one shot, do not miss your chance…”
During the 1980’s I had a Love/Hate relationship with Dan Marino. Dan of course knew nothing about it.
I was back then a Die-Hard Buffalo Bills fan.
Dan Marino, back then was the Quarterback of the Miami Dolphins.
The hated Miami Dolphins…at least in Western New York.
Dan, for the most part didn’t fare too well against the Bills…had a won/loss record of something like 13/17…but as a QB, I loved his talent, hated it when it worked against the Bills…but admired the dude as a player.
“…trusting as little as possible in the future.”
So when Dan, in his first full year as the starting QB of the Dolphins, lost in Super Bowl XIX to the San Francisco 49ers I didn’t think much of it, figured the dude would have a bunch of chances for a Super Bowl ring.
I was wrong.
Very wrong.
Dan Marino, never again, threw a pass in a Super Bowl.
Never, and he played 14 more seasons in the NFL,
but he never once made it back to the Super Bowl.
Dan Marino is one of the greatest Quarterbacks to ever play the game, is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame (and deservedly so), is ranked in the Top 30 football players of all time, had a pro football career most players would kill for,
but,
no Super Bowl ring, no Dan Marino lips on the Lombardi Trophy, I don’t know Dan, did do a real quick run-and-gun interview with him once, he was very nice, and accommodating, I can’t remember what the interview was about or what I asked, I’m sure Dan has no memory of it, but I remember this from it, he stopped, he listened to my question, he thought of an answer, not some canned athlete answer, and you could tell he cared about the answer and about his career as a professional athlete.
All you anglers about to fish the 2013 Bassmaster Classic, remember Dan Marino and,
“…trusting as little as possible in the future.”
“…this opportunity comes once in a lifetime…”
You 2013 class of the Classic think, big deal with Marino, well how about these dudes:
Steve Largent.
Earl Campbell.
Dan Fouts.
Gale Sayers.
Dick Butkus.
All five have their own bronze bust in Canton, Ohio.
All five would make anyone’s All-World list.
Largent, Campbell, Fouts, Sayers, and…BUTKUS.
Hall Of Fame, every one.
Not a one of them ever stepped foot as a player,
on a Super Bowl field.
Not a Super Bowl ring among them.
How special is getting to the Super Bowl and winning it.
How special is getting to the Bassmaster Classic and winning it.
“…trusting as little as possible in the future.”
Horace, knew.
“…comes once in a lifetime…’”
To the Bassmaster Classic class of 2013, listen,
watch not those who will hoist this Sunday’s trophy,
watch instead those sitting on the bench with their heads down,
watch instead those walking slowly to the tunnel.
Class of 2013 there will come three days in February that you will remember for the rest of your life…no matter HOW YOU FINISH.
You will forever remember your win.
Or your loss.
Class of 2013, you win the Bassmaster Classic, one day, one fish at a time.
Pluck each day, and your name will be in hung in the rafters.
Control the now you are in,
and tomorrow will be yours.
“…you better…”
For two decades I had the opportunity to cover some of the best professional athletes in the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA and NASCAR.
Richard Petty once told me that his goal in every race was, “…to win the last lap.”
Former Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach, Chuck Noll told me on the day before his induction into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame that he played every game, one play at a time, “…if you score more points than the other guy, you win.”
Hall of Fame Linebacker Jack Lambert told me once while doing a story together that he always played, “the moment, the down in front of me.”
Then came KVD.
Kevin VanDam.
Kevin and I have become good friends, but to tell you the truth I never paid much attention to him up until a couple of years ago in New Orleans when he won his fourth Bassmaster Classic.
And it wasn’t because he won the shebang…it was because of the photo I took of him while he and his family circled the arena in his boat.
The photo has become one of my all-time favorites of this sport, of any sport that I have pointed my lens and pen at.
It shows him hugging the trophy.
A simple, but telling gesture.
Even after three other wins,
“db every time is more special than the last.”
I’m writing of Dan Marino as Kevin calls me at home to answer a couple of questions, “Trust me db, I don’t take even being at the Classic for granted.”
I think of Richard Petty, “…last lap” as Kevin tells me, “My goal is to be in striking distance on the last day of the Classic.”
I think of Jack Lambert, “…down in front of me,” as Kevin says, “like you say db, I fish the moment, one day at a time, one fish at a time.”
Three days.
Fifteen fish.
Chuck Noll, “…more points than the other guy…” Kevin, “whose ever fish weighs the most, wins.”
“…trusting as little as possible in the future.”
It may be the Ravens
It may be the 49ers.
One will win, one will lose.
Could very well be the last Super Bowl for Randy Moss of the 49ers. Moss turns 36 soon, he signed just a one year deal with the team, this is the second Super Bowl for Moss, he was with the Patriots when they lost Super Bowl XLII to the NY Giants.
And then the Ravens’ Ed Reed, 11 seasons with the team, probably not a twelfth…injuries have hurt the future Hall Of Fame safety the last couple seasons…at the end of the Super Bowl he becomes a free agent.
Will another team take a run at him for their secondary, maybe, will that team make the Super Bowl with him on the roster…who knows.
Moss…could be his last game ever.
Reed…could be his last game with the only NFL team he has ever played with.
Class of the Classic 2013, know this, maybe half the players on the field as you watch the Super Bowl…will never play in that game again.
And the same holds true for you.
You may never again qualify to compete in the Bassmaster Classic.
Never.
Remember Carpe Diem from the poet Horace, “…trusting as little as possible in the future.”
But from me, remember this, Carpe Momento.
Seize The Moment,
and the Day will take care of itself.
“…You can do anything you set your mind to, man.”
Lose Yourself
Eminem
db