Fridays with Mac: Jimmy's Spirit

It’s New Year’s Day morning. Your scribe is processing horrific news from New Orleans. Returning from running errands and bump into a neighbor. We talk about the three remaining college football quarterfinals.

Being a life-long jock and long-time media sports guy others, especially dudes, frequently ask, “Mac, whatcha think about this game?” I enjoy sharing thoughts and hearing more of theirs.

I love talking sports. They are educational about life. It’s ever-present adversity and the importance of bouncing back from it. My mind drifted immediately to Bill McCartney. The Colorado Buffaloes’ Hall of Fame football coach and a beloved mentor to your 66-year-old correspondent. I used to host Coach Mac’s television show and we grew close over time. He’s battling Alzheimer’s. Pray for my buddy.

The words of Billy Mac explode within, “You get knocked down but you gotta get back up, dust yourself off and compete!” Sports are exciting - especially when your favorite is winning - and a microcosm of life: sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Play well and not so well. Good luck. Bad luck. Rollercoasters with lots of unexpected twists and turns.

Which gets to the point of this message in a moment. You, me and America have been knocked down. Angst is high with almost three-quarters of us saying, “This direction we’re headed? Ain’t good.” If that’s true, I believe it is, then the next logical question is, “What the heck are we gonna do about it?”

As we prepare to inaugurate the United States of America’s 47th president it seems an appropriate question. Our incoming leader is divisive. I hear many say, “Like his policies but abhor his character.” But the blame is misguided if directed solely at the incoming president. Social issues abound, domestic terror and rising costs - to name three of many - make living in our land a challenge these days. Many should acknowledge contributions to today’s messy America.

Back to McCartney’s demand to not for long remain a “Wounded duck.” What can Americans themselves contribute in reversing the fact 75% of us are not thrilled with the country’s future? Live our lives like our nation’s 39th president, Jimmy Carter.

The peanut farmer, president and peace maker passed recently at 100 years old. What a legacy this unassuming Georgia native leaves. Carter served our nation in noble ways. The character-driven man was a Naval Academy graduate, served on submarines, was elected to state and national positions and taught Sunday school. There’s more. After losing to Ronald Raegan in 1980, Carter became one of the world’s most philanthropic souls and won the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

Like most presidents, Carter’s strategies were criticized. During his tenure (1977-81) America was experiencing gas shortages, Iranian hostages and, for a sports guy, the boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics. A trio of issues describing the times.

Guess what? There have never been any criticisms to the conflict resolution superstar who somehow convinced Israel and Egypt in 1978 to smoke the peace pipe after centuries of turmoil. A story concerning Carter’s coolness in heated moments. During the Camp David accords creating the historic peace? Lore has it Carter stood in front of the door refusing to allow Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat leave the room. Anger was present but Carter, I suspect respectfully, demanded, “Fellas, we ain’t going anywhere till we figure this out.”

America needs to figure it out. Regardless of what’s going down with the new administration, whatya say we decide, McCartney’s words, to dust ourselves off and march forward united?

In summary of why Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize, the White House website says it was for “work to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, advance democracy and human rights, and to promote social and economical development.”

Holy smokes. Let’s thrive in ’25 using Carter’s spirit. It would dramatically reduced the disgruntled number. Speaking of numbers. I concurred with the neighbor’s picks of Texas, Georgia and Ohio State in the football games.

Wrong about the Sugar Bowl. The heinous act forcing its delayed start? Tragically indicative of an urgent need for more of “Mr. Jimmy’s” spirit of conflict resolution.