An open letter to my son - Part 26

Yesterday, I got to see a number of tributes to a great man: Tom Osborne.  It was his last home game working for the University of Nebraska as Athletic Director.  He received accolades from friends and family.  His former players and assistant coaches had nothing but respect for him.  Even some of his rival coaches paid tribute.

There are so many things that we all can learn from a man of Dr. Tom's caliber.  But, the thing that I remember and respect most about him (and a couple of points I'd like to impress upon you) was that he never gave up and he went for the win. 

They used to say he couldn't win the big one.  But, he won 3 National Titles as head coach when I was in college.  

He never gave up on the field and he stood behind his players . . . even when it would have been easier to move on.  He's most famous for going for a victory in 1984 when a tie would have one him his first National Title.  

 "We were trying to win the game," Osborne said. "I don't think you go for a tie in that case. You try to win the game. We wanted an undefeated season and a clear-cut national championship."

His persistence and focus on being victorious allowed him to go out on top . . . as a coach, AD, community servant (and most importantly as a man).