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Brian Westbrook shows what team spirit is all about |
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Written by Alessandro Nicolo
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Tuesday, 18 December 2007 |
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Every once in a while a sporting moment takes place that leaves a smile on your face. Personally, two moments - make that four - stand out. Marco
Tardelli's goal for Italy over Germany and subsequent celebration in
the final at the 1982 World Cup, Mario Lemieux's winning goal for
Canada against the godless Soviets at the 1987 Canada Cup, Hulk Hogan
slamming Andre the Giant and Ben Johnson lifting his hand with a number
one salute something like three feet before hitting the finish line in
1988. Beautiful. And then he went and got caught for using anabolic
steroids. Still, it was the greatest nine seconds - discarding sex - of
my life.
The last two were for humour treatment.
Moving right along.
Last night Brian Westbrook gave me my fifth moment. It's easy to be cynical about sports these days. Punch in 'Mitchell Report,' 'Marian Jones' and 'Tour de France' to get a glimpse of what I mean. That doesn't mean there aren't any good stories.
Basically, to make a long story short, with the Philadelphia Eagles leading the Dallas Cowboys 10-6, Westbrook passed up the chance to score a touchdown following a 24-yard run to run out the clock by falling at the one-yard line.
Ok. It wasn't quite an earth-shattering sports moment. The Eagles are out of the playoffs and were only playing for pride against a division rival. There were no playoff implications - except for the fact that it could affect homefield advantage for the Cowboys. But it did show how sports can provide life lessons.
What makes this play remarkable is in the context to which it took place. In a time where individual accomplishments are paramount, Westbrook did something that should be self-evident but still regarded as an anomaly.
While we get caught up in yards per carry and what athlete is dating which celebrity, Westbrook's alert and intelligent decision brought out just how fascinating sports can be. What? A modern athlete putting the interest of the team first? You mean, that's possible?
At least for Westbrook it was.
With Cowboys WR Terrell Owens about to predictably implode and lash out at his team mates, Westbrook reminds us all what selfless team work truly means. We should be talking about this more instead of who Tony Romo is dating.
Then again, triviality sells, right?
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