When Injury Seems To Be A Burden... Mental Toughness Is What You Need.

Today I chose this topic because I have just found out that the Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose is out again after undergoing another knee surgery. It makes you think that luck is not on his side. It takes a lot of  hard work, dedication, and focus to be the best at what sport you want to play, and here comes this burden called injury that you can't put a stop to even if you tried. Injury can either ruin your whole career or either make you miss a portion of it.

I truly believe that mental toughness is the main ingredient to being a successful athlete. I say this because you NEVER know how things are going to play out. There's not enough time for you to worry about injury prevention, you just have to go out and give it your all. If it is going to happen, it is going to happen. It's not fair, but it comes with the territory. As a fan, I just hate the fact that athletes work so hard and come so far and then it seems that everything comes crashing down. It may sound a little absurd, but injury may not be so bad after all, it can just be a scare. It just depends on how it wants to effect you at that time.

Last, injury can be a good thing because it can give you some time to shift your focus on something that you have been ignoring for a long time whether it's grades, family, or maybe time to yourself. It's something that you just have to accept. Nobody wants to be hurt or to end their career, but it's all being part of being an athlete.

That's my thought for today...after reading this I hope it gives you something to think about as an athlete or sports fan. Until next time...

Helen

Tim Tebow Considers College Broadcasting

What a year so far for Tim Tebow. Pre-season stats was not good, the Patriots let him go, and no other team was interested in him. He is now considering college broadcasting since his NFL career is on hold. Tebow still wants to play in the NFL, but he needs to resort to his backup plan until otherwise. According to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, this is the first time there has been any indication that Tim might consider pursuing a career outside of the NFL.

Tebow has been loyal within his journey to be an NFL quarterback. He shows up to practice, stays focused, he eats right, works out, and stays humble but it seems as though nothing's working out especially when it comes to pleasing coaches. The biggest highlight so far in his three year career is back in 2012 when Denver won against Pittsburgh in the AFC wildcard game. He threw for a career high of 316 yards and two touchdowns in the 29-23 victory.

Following that season it seems as though everything has went downhill. Denver traded him for future hall-of-fame quarterback Peyton Manning, the New York Jets picked him up and he spent most of the time on the bench because Mark Sanchez was the leading quarterback, last he signed with New England and was released before the 2013-14 season began. With the season now coming to an end, and he still has no word or idea about his future in the NFL, college broadcasting may just be what he needs to do. He has enough credibility in the NCAA that will help boost his career considering that he did win the Heisman in 2007 and two BCS Championships in 2006 and 2008. 

Hopefully when the 2014-15 college season begins, the world will start to see Tim Tebow on the television screen once again, but in a different way... in a suit and tie giving the pre-game, post-game, and halftime stats. This may be his calling after all. Either way it goes, I'm sure that Tebow will be satisfied considering that it is football and he is partaking in it even though he is not on the field. 

THE SPURS MOVE ON!!!!

After a six year drought, the Spurs are one step closer to winning a championship again! They achieved this milestone by sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night with a 93-86 win. This makes their fifth Western Conference title. Tony Parker led the Spurs all the way with scoring 37 points. During his post-game interview, Parker stated "Since last year, I promised to him (Tim Duncan) that we will go back, go back to the Finals and get an opportunity to win the whole thing and I'm trying to do my best, try to be aggressive every night. I think everybody on the team, we really want to do it for him. We win the West and now it's one more step. This is the hardest one." (Associated Press, 2013).

Lately, San Antonio has being dubbed as being "too old" to compete for another title. Not saying that, shutting up their nay-sayers was their main focus, but they proved that age has nothing to do with the determination to win. The Spurs have been that team that has made their mark in the NBA. I say this because they have a total of four championships, five western conference titles, 39 playoff appearances, and 17 division titles under their belt. They have also had great former players like David Robinson and Bruce Bowen just to name a few and current players like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili to keep the torch burning. I must also feel the need to mention Gregg Popovich, whom has coached the Spurs since 1996 and has turned this franchise around. Out of 18 coaches with him being number 18, Popovich is the only coach with  accomplishments such as all four championships and coach of year for the 2002-03 season.

During Popovich's post-game interview on Monday he stated " You don't expect that to happen this late in the game with the same group." "It's tough to do, to maintain something that long. But just know the character of those three guys (Duncan, Parker, Ginobili) and their ability to play with whoever else is brought in around them. They deserve the credit for that." (Associated Press, 2013). The Spurs now await the winner of the Miami/Indiana series for the Finals which starts on June 6th. Last, but not least, I must also mention if some of you have not noticed, but this is Tracy McGrady's first championship run!!! Congrats T-Mac! Not to single him out, but he's a great player and everyone deserves a chance!!

The NFL Nation Will Miss You #52

Ray Lewis, one of the GREATEST inside linebackers of all time announced his retirement today. I am pretty sure that the Ravens fans most of all will miss him the most. I say this because they are in his town and had the pleasure to see him up close. This statement is also directed towards those die hard fans that traveled just to see him play. Ray was drafted into the NFL in 1996 in the first round as the number 26 overall pick for the Baltimore Ravens, the team that he has played for his whole career. Lewis played for the Miami Hurricanes before entering the draft.

Throughout his career, Ray has played in 13 pro-bowls, been named to the All-Pro first team seven times, and he was the All-Pro defensive player of the year for the year of 2000 which he also won Super Bowl MVP the same year, and the year of 2003. Lewis is now back in the line-up after tearing his triceps two months ago. The Ravens will host the Indianapolis Colts in a wild-card game this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts in a wild-card game for the playoffs. "It's time for me to create a new legacy" Lewis said in a statement. "I talked to my team today" " I talked to them about life in general, and everything that starts has an end. For me, today I told my team that this will be my last ride"

For his teammates and coach, I am sure that they were dreading this day. The Ravens with no Ray Lewis just doesn't sound right. For football fans such as myself, it's going to take a while before anyone gets used to not seeing him on the field. Ray was inspirational, motivational, and he became the leader of the team. It is understandable that he now wants to take this time and support his children in their endeavors. He stated "My children has made the ultimate sacrifice for 17 years""Now it's my turn to give them something back" Ray Lewis will indeed be in the hall-of-fame, he made his mark in the NFL, and he has gained many fans. From the NFL nation across the world, we would like to say thank you and there will NEVER be another Ray Lewis. Can't wait to see him on Sunday!