Thursday, January 3, 2008

Dear Colt, this is what BCS meant to me...

The day you decided to stay another year, I got teary eyed because I knew what you were giving up and knew that at least part of the reason why you stayed was because of what Hawaii meant to you.  Some may have lived here for years but never 'got it.'  I know that you 'got it' and that you understood why Hawaii is such a special place.  Football is a team sport and I hesitate to single out you, but your unselfish action set in motion a string of events that I  am sure you have no idea how far it went, or what it means to people personally. You and the rest of the Team allowed us to share in your glory.  In defeat, you were not alone - we shared in your pain - even my wife (not a big football fan until this year) lay awake because she realized that we allowed one person to carry much too heavy a load on his shoulders, the entire state.  

In the end, win or lose, it didn't matter that much to me because here is what BCS (Because Colt Stayed) meant to me...  In a world of unappreciative and spoiled professional athletes, I was able to teach my children the true meaning of college athletics - the power of teamwork and unselfishness.  I was able to teach them that with hard work and a belief in yourself, anything is possible.  I was able to teach my children that to succeed in Hawaii it does not matter what the color of your skin is or what your background is... To succeed in Hawaii, people judge you by your heart and that some people will never understand this no matter how long they live here.  Finally, I was able to teach my children that there will always be another day.  Never dwell in the past because there will always be an opportunity for something greater in the future.  

So Colt, if you ever receive this message I hope that you and the Team will get an idea of what this season has meant personally to some of us.  - DT