Last weekend, I watched Joe Burrow’s speech after winning the Heisman Trophy. There are certain things you are expected to say in a moment like this. There is a certain level of humility that we hope for and often see from these student-athletes.
But what I witnessed on Saturday evening far surpassed most of the speeches I’ve seen in moments such as this. (If you haven’t watched it, I recommend you do.)
Contrast his words with what has been on this news this last week and what you’ve likely seen on your Facebook feed. Accusations, insults, finger pointing, and more. Vicious attacks from every direction and both sides of the aisle. No one listening while everyone is shouting.
But on a stage in New York City stood a young man who looked more mature than most of people who lead our nation. This 23-year-old from southeast Ohio was more humble than virtually any of the men and women in our nation’s capital who are decades older than he.
Does this contrast say more about this young man or the state of our nation?
I listened to Joe Burrow not just thank his current coaches at LSU, but also his coaches at Ohio State, where he sat on the bench for several years. He did not ignore or attack the coaches who didn’t start him. He praised them for the ways they helped him.
He also took time to encourage those from his childhood region. He took the spotlight off himself and placed it on those living in poverty. Those words, that willingness to lay aside his pride, ended up in hundreds of thousands of dollars being donated to help the very people he recognized.
Imagine if we could have more of that attitude in our leaders. Rather than humbling themselves and focusing on the needs of those they were elected to represent, they demonize their opponents, exploit our worst fears, and grab all the power they can.
Before you think I’m taking sides, let me assure you there is plenty of this in both political parties and on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. Let me also to be fair and say there are good things that both parties have done. But the toxic environment overshadows and likely reduces the amount of good that is done.
And if we’re willing to reflect and be honest, this attitude has permeated not just our government, but our business world and even our personal lives. How many businesses have placed profits over people? How many individuals have placed personal gain above compassion for fellow man? While I believe the root causes are many, the reality is that we have lost of sight of those things which are most important.
Let’s go back to that young man standing at the podium last weekend. He could have stood there and talked about himself. Rather, he chose to use his platform to shine a light on those who haven’t had the opportunities he has, and in the process he may have – and I don’t believe this is an exaggeration – saved someone’s life.
As the student stood behind the podium, he became the teacher. I hope we’re all listening, because we all can learn from him.
Breaking Into Peace 