Friday, October 06, 2006

On becoming a legend

Oklahoma University is known for one thing: football. In fact, it's been said that George Lynn Cross ( a former OU president) once asked for more money for the university, and when asked why by those holding the purse strings (the state senate), he replied "I want a university the football team can be proud of." There's no mistaking the life-or-death hold college football has over the state.

As with any legacy like this, there will inevitably be stories of true heroes who either beat insurmountable odds or shone brightly on their own and who gave that season its own story. They became, in a sense, legends. I was thinking about this as I drove to Oklahoma City this weekend and as I approached the southern edge of the metro area, I began seeing signs for the Sooner Legends Inn and Suites. Here is an example of how someone took events of the past and built on them.

Those "legends" of OU college football never set out with the goal of making a name for themselves. They never had fame or glory in their sights. They went out and did the one thing they were good at. They focused and achieved. Now we are proclaiming loudly the quality of the legacy (and the comfiness of the pillows) of the Sooner Legends. Bring your kids and see the rich heritage our past has for their future!

But legends and legacies are not marketing gimmicks. They are real sacrifices made by real people who wanted nothing more than to do what they're good at, and do it better than anyone else. Their drive was completely disconnected from the result. They wanted nothing for themselves other than the satisfaction of a job well done.

So, what are we doing today that will make us a legend tomorrow?

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