A winner’s mentality is born of adversity

Tim Tebow is known for being one the greatest players in college football history. During his time as quarterback of the Florida Gators, he received numerous accolades including: Two-time BCS national champion, Heisman Trophy Winner, Davey O’Brien Award (best quarterback), AP Player of the Year and twotime first-team All-American.

With my mom being a Gator fan, I paid close attention to the powerhouse the University of Florida became during the latter part of the 2000s. Even though I was a Georgia fan, I always respected the way Tebow played the game and the toughness of those Urban Meyer-coached teams.

The team ingrained deepest in my memory was the 2008 squad of Florida Gators, which brimmed with NFL level talent and stood poised to go undefeated.

The key moment in the season I remember came in the game against the Ole Miss Rebels. The Gators went in undefeated and ranked No. 4 in the country. Tebow failed to complete a fourth and one run with 55 seconds left and Ole Miss won the game 31-30. The entire college football world was stunned. Everyone thought Florida’s championship hopes were over.

However, Tebow and the Gators had a different mindset. After the game, a disappointed Tebow walked into the press conference and gave what is now known by Florida fans as “The Promise.”

Tebow said, “You have never seen any player in the entire country play as hard as I will play the rest of the season, and you will never see someone push the team as hard as I will push everybody the rest of the season and you will never see a team play harder than we will play the rest of the season. God Bless.”

The Gators steamrolled through the remainder of their schedule. They made mincemeat out of top competition like Matthew Stafford and the Georgia Bulldogs, top five ranked LSU Tigers and knocked off the No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship.

The Gators went on to win the BCS National Championship after beating Heisman Trophy Winner Sam Bradford and the Oklahoma Sooners 24-14.

The ’08 Gators had the same mentality that we should all have in our everyday lives. They were knocked down, but they possessed the determination to pick themselves up and win it all.

Even though I don’t play sports anymore, I still try to keep that same competitive fire in everything I do. Whether it’s journalism or life in general, I know the road to success and happiness isn’t easy.

There were times I had to overcome the thought of feeling like a loser. It hurt watching my classmates from college snag jobs with CNN and Good Morning America and I was stocking shelves in a grocery store with a boss who I couldn’t stand. Despite my anger and disappointment, something in my spirit wouldn’t let me give up. I knew that grocery store wasn’t my final destination and I plan to use that as motivation until the day I retire.

My dad used to tell me that nothing good in life comes easy. I know when things get tough, I just have to keep my head up and keep moving forward because I’ve never seen a quitter accomplish anything great.

I understand we are all human. We are all going through different types of hardships whether it be financial, mental or physical. However, I urge everybody to pick themselves up and keep pressing ahead because hard times don’t last forever.

Like the community motto, “Tiger Fight Never Dies,” whatever you’re going through, maintain your will to fight.

Just like the 2008 Florida Gator football team, one loss doesn’t determine what your final destination will be. It’s what you do after adversity hits that shows your true character.