Fridays with Mac: "Finish The Task"

“You better take a nap if you plan on staying for the whole game,” was your scribe’s statement in departing Bill McCartney’s home. It was just hours before the Hall of Fame coach was heading to Boulder for Colorado’s season-opening tussle, on a Friday night, with Texas Christian University. “Wrongarm (I’m left-handed), don’t your worry about Billy Mac from Hackensack, I can stay up all night for the Golden Buffaloes!”

While still within shouting distance and heading toward my car, McCartney cracked, “I want a full report on Serena Williams’ match tonight at the U.S. Open!” Yessir. The 82-year-old might have been better staying at home watching the 40-year-old tennis legend’s final match than venturing to Folsom Field at the foot of the Flatirons. The game was scheduled to start at 8pm but lightning delayed the start almost an hour. Only the most loyal, like the program’s sole coach to led the Buffs to a national title, were present at the finish of a disappointing 38-13 drubbing.?

The next morning we chatted on the phone. Little was said about the Buffs defeat and much was discussed about the competitive spirit of Williams, who fought off five match points in the third set before 29-year-old Australian Ajla Tomljanovic prevailed. An incredible career that redefined the women’s tennis game now complete. The undisputed G.O.A.T of the women’s game received a rousing, lengthy and deserved standing ovation while fighting back tears in addressing adoring fans inside New York City’s Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens.

“Mac, I know you have coached many guys with that ‘Never say die’ attitude. Those with the heart of a champion. Serena Williams is cut from the same cloth.” I concluded the platitudes toward the 23-time Grand Slam champion. “She finished in fantastic fashion.”

It took only nanoseconds for McCartney to respond. “It’s really pretty easy to figure out an athlete’s talent level, work ethic and passion for the game. What is only revealed over time is their inner grit. Those who find a deeper resolve, refuse to quit and figure out a way to victory.”

For whatever reason McCartney’s comments made me think of long ago, when my daughter, now 25 and an early-childhood education teacher, was a young girl. “Mac, let me tell you about another champion, Rachel Nicole McIntosh.” This blue-eyed beauty was a member of the “Junior” Denver Broncos cheerleading squad. This long-standing program provides an enriching experience focused on self-esteem, pride, commitment, and fun for young Broncos fans ages 6 to 12. On occasion, the Junior Cheerleaders perform in front of 76,000 Denver Broncos fans at Empower Field at Mile High. This story was one of my favorites in my first book, “Kids Teach The Darndest Things.”

Rachel and fellow JDBC had performed before the game and during halftime of a Broncos pre-season skirmish. This was back in the day I was anchoring sports on the morning shows for CBSDenver and a very early riser. Once the young ladies finished the halftime routine, most left for home. Not Rachel. “Dad, we’re not leaving till the ‘real’ cheerleaders are done!” We stayed to the bitter end. I fell asleep. Rachel awakened me with, “Dad, we can go now.”

I could feel the smile spreading across McCartney’s face through the phone. “Your daughter had the heart of a champion. Just like Serena and great Buff players!” Yep. It’s really true for all of us. The importance, once heart and soul is poured into a noble endeavor? Finding that “extra gear” or “inner resolve” required to, win or lose, stifle any scent of surrender.

It makes us winners, regardless of the outcome, for what is does for our souls. Finish the task.