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I'm reminded now, of somethign that I often go back to when finding roots as to what it means to compete in sport and win. It's something I quite literally have not paid a fleeting moment of thougth toward to, since back in 2010, when this football program suffered a major low point in losing 26-0 to Louisville, adn was sitting with a record of 3-4 after the midway point of the season, with a coach that seemed uninspired, and a team that seemed uninspired. We all know what happened from there. The players on the field strung together the run that put us in Fiesta Bowl.
So the phrase "Refuse to Lose". THe concepts of toughness, winning. WHere does it come from? Arguments can be made, but from me - it goes to a specific date in time before the vast majority of people that are reading this, or will read it, were born. A little under 60 years ago now. September 17, 1954. Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York.
Marciano v. Charles II rematch of the 15 round decision that went to Marciano 3 months to the date earlier. Never was Marciano's undefeated record more in doubt, than that day - 9/17/54.
I've thought about, and written about this before, I'm sure I will again in the future at some time. It happens when I get that feeling where things really are on the ropes.
Marciano, had gone 15 long rounds with young Ezzard Charles, and won on decision. The fight was so good, so close, so much so, that they fought again 3 months later, in front of packed stadium.
My memory is a little unspecific here without going back to the actual news accounts, but I believe it was somehwere around round 5 or 6, where Marciano came out of one his typical close., low, body blow encounters with a nose spouting blood. Marciano said he was hit with an intentional elbow, Charles said he hit him clean in the nose. Wasn't the first time Charles had drawn blood from Marciano.
It was ugly, somehow the fight managed to go on. It wasn't called. Too many people watching, too much money on the line I suppose to be called for that, I suppose, but it wasn't going 15 rounds with that blood. THe man's nose, was split open.
So the trainer did what he could, but after the next round it was clear that the fight wasn't going to last, it would be called. THe blood was flowing freely.
What did Marciano do? he came back in round 8, and quite literally unleashed the most ferocious attack he'd ever laid down in the boxing ring. His undefeated record was on the line, and it was because he was bleeding, not beaten.
He knocked Charles out in the 8th round, maintaining his undefeated heavy weight record. He did it with his nose split in two.
THat's what it means to refuse to lose. That's what i means to stand your ground toe to toe with somebody in sport, and win. That's what we need from all 11 guys on the field at any time. That's what it takes to win.
I'll be looking for it Saturday night, it's come back to it again.
So the phrase "Refuse to Lose". THe concepts of toughness, winning. WHere does it come from? Arguments can be made, but from me - it goes to a specific date in time before the vast majority of people that are reading this, or will read it, were born. A little under 60 years ago now. September 17, 1954. Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York.
Marciano v. Charles II rematch of the 15 round decision that went to Marciano 3 months to the date earlier. Never was Marciano's undefeated record more in doubt, than that day - 9/17/54.
I've thought about, and written about this before, I'm sure I will again in the future at some time. It happens when I get that feeling where things really are on the ropes.
Marciano, had gone 15 long rounds with young Ezzard Charles, and won on decision. The fight was so good, so close, so much so, that they fought again 3 months later, in front of packed stadium.
My memory is a little unspecific here without going back to the actual news accounts, but I believe it was somehwere around round 5 or 6, where Marciano came out of one his typical close., low, body blow encounters with a nose spouting blood. Marciano said he was hit with an intentional elbow, Charles said he hit him clean in the nose. Wasn't the first time Charles had drawn blood from Marciano.
It was ugly, somehow the fight managed to go on. It wasn't called. Too many people watching, too much money on the line I suppose to be called for that, I suppose, but it wasn't going 15 rounds with that blood. THe man's nose, was split open.
So the trainer did what he could, but after the next round it was clear that the fight wasn't going to last, it would be called. THe blood was flowing freely.
What did Marciano do? he came back in round 8, and quite literally unleashed the most ferocious attack he'd ever laid down in the boxing ring. His undefeated record was on the line, and it was because he was bleeding, not beaten.
He knocked Charles out in the 8th round, maintaining his undefeated heavy weight record. He did it with his nose split in two.
THat's what it means to refuse to lose. That's what i means to stand your ground toe to toe with somebody in sport, and win. That's what we need from all 11 guys on the field at any time. That's what it takes to win.
I'll be looking for it Saturday night, it's come back to it again.
