Most Inspirational Coach EVER
I recently reconnected with my high school basketball coach. I know this is hard to believe, but back-in-the-day, I was a player of some note in the state of Texas.
My high school coach and I…well, I never felt like we were as connected as we should have been. He was VERY demanding of me-at times, I felt unfairly. Consequently, I never felt the need to keep in touch…for 2+ decades.
However, over the years I’ve come to appreciate that his demands on me…his instilling in me that “good enough” was NEVER that, have helped and shaped my life.
I wish I’d have been mature enough at 15-18 to recognize the inspiration he was giving me.
I bring that up to talk about something I saw on “The ESPYs” the other night.
I RARELY, if ever, watch this award show. And, in fact, I just happened up it this time. I am so glad I did. This year’s recipient of the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance DEFINES inspirational.
31-year-old Rob Mendez, was born without arms or legs. Despite his handicap, Mendez learned football by playing the John Madden video game, talked his way into becoming the manager of his high school team and rose through the ranks to become the junior varsity coach at Prospect High School in Saratoga, California.
“If there’s any message I want to give you guys tonight, it’s to look at me and see how much passion I put into coaching and how far it’s gotten me,” Mendez told the audience. “When you dedicate yourself to something and open your mind to different possibilities and focus on what you can do instead of what you can’t do, you really can go places in this world.”
WOW!
