"Get Back Up"

Curious about the latest numbers, I google "How many Americans have Alzheimer's?" Modern technology takes me to the Alzheimer's Association's website. All the stats are front and center. One of the most sobering? About 33% of our nation's seniors die with Alzheimer's or some other dementia. Why speaking to this? Each Friday I'm blessed to spend time with former Colorado Buffaloes HOF coach Bill McCartney. He's got this mind-robbing crap. But, fighting the good fight against it. We have a good time going on walks and drives. We frequently cruise to Boulder and drive by Folsom Field and those beautiful new facilities. Back in 1988 when, as a young sports guy at CBS Denver, I came to town as the "Buff Guy?" Thet facilities were dismal. Not anymore. Anyway, today we're driving by the stadium, admiring that beautiful indoor practice facility and Champions Center. We're so darn jacked up we called athletic director Rick George on his cell phone and, collectively, shouted "Way to go buddy!" Coach Mac still bleeds, deeply, black and gold. I'm blessing the McCartney family allows me to spend with the coach who took the Buffs to the promised land. Back in that great run in the late 80's and early 90's, it was my job, as the dude CBS Denver management instructed to, "Get in the hip pocket of the CU football program," to chronicle the whole deal. I had a front row seat. Now, my buddy and I drive past the stadium and swap story after Buffaloes story. Coach and, pseudo, program historian. Some damn great years. On the way home the conversation turns to Tiger Woods. A boisterous energy within the car turns pensive. Life in the fishbowl of sports fame. Famous golfer, coach or whatever. Trust me, from watching it up close and personal for many years, the offered adulation is off the charts. These sports celebrities are placed on big pedestals. Tiger's latest challenge shows once again even the mighty fall. Like us, they're fragile and human. What can we learn from it all? This much I know about Tiger. He will do everything in his power to come back from this latest setback. We can learn from it. Stuff happens. To all of us. This question becomes, how will we react? As this conversation wrapped up, Coach Mac muttered, "You gotta pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep marching." Amen buddy. It's true for him, me, Tiger and you. Been knocked down? Get back up! #goodbetterbest