Thoughts on heart, pride and esteem

In high school, he joined the basketball team. Instant respect came from those who wouldn't have cared before. What is it about sports that fosters a respect among even those who don't really like each other?

He still hung out with his friends from junior high. Of course, they were on the team and all made fun of each other. He had even gotten into the act. It had become a sign of respect. It was something done out of love. Love of the fellas, love of your teammates. Anybody who was ever an athlete at any level will tell you they would do anything and be anywhere for a teammate when needed. That kind of camaraderie is what success is built on. It was the kind of camaraderie that brought a league championship to him and his friends.

Through sports, he became a young man in physical appearance only. Make no mistake about it, this kid wasn't much of a ballplayer. He took up space and grabbed rebounds. Offense? He once missed seven-straight lay-ups in practice. This was not done on seven trips down the floor. He stood under the basket and missed seven-straight layup attempts.

He tried football. On one particular fall afternoon, he was embarrassed for two hours in practice by a freshman. And not a very good freshman at that. His coaches questioned his manhood. His teammates questioned his character. They questioned his heart.

For the rest of the season, he was singled out. One day, he was high-lowed. One guy hit his chest while another took out his knees. His teammates came to his rescue. Still, he felt like they were all out to embarrass him.

Then a funny thing happened. He faced the best player on the team - call him Mike - one day in the trenches. He got bruised, battered and beaten. On one play, he had the upper hand. He beat Mike but stopped as the play went the other way. From out of nowhere, Mike leveled our hero from behind.

"Give it one hundred percent at all times," he screamed. "Or you're dead."

Something inside him turned on. Something he had never felt before. He was mad. He was embarrassed for himself. He hated the feeling. At last, he had finally begun to care.

From then one, our hero tried his best. He found the pride inside himself to do the best he could at everything. He found the desire to help out his teammates and his friends at anything. He would be there, he said, no matter what.

He had found his heart.

Was our hero shamed into getting some pride in himself? Probably, but that's not really the point. The point is about having heart. It's about taking pride in yourself and being willing to do whatever it takes to prove you have what it takes to succeed.

It's about being there for your friends and teammates.

Without them, things can get very lonely.

Sports editor Craig Degel shares his thoughts on sports and life every Wednesday in the Wildcat.