So, there's a chance?

Anyone who knows Mr. and Mrs. O knows that we are huge UCF fans. Former UCF Quarterback, McKenzie Milton, made his return to college football last night (even though it was for FSU) after almost losing his leg in November of 2018 during a football game. He was rushed from the field in Tampa directly to the operating room, as they tried to save his leg from being amputated. Months later he revealed that when he woke up in the hospital, he lifted up the blanket, not knowing if his leg was going to be there or not. After that, he battled with infections which resulted in even more surgeries. His surgeon said that the best possible outcome would be if he could walk again without pain. His surgeon, Dr. Bruce Levy, compared Milton’s odds of playing again to a rookie making his MLB debut hitting a grand slam in his first at-bat … and then doing it three more times in the same game, to which Milton replied “So, you’re saying there’s a chance?”

Last night, FSU’s starting Quarterback lost his helmet on a play, and according to college football rules, you have to take a play off after that happens. This set up the return of McKenzie Milton, who entered the game, made a great 22-yard pass and led his team down the field for a touchdown. He defied all of the odds against his injury, because of his pure will and determination. But to me, the most important lesson was his response after the game. When asked about how he dealt with his emotions during the game, Milton’s response was "It was one of those bang, bang moments where the helmet pops off and you have to be engaged on the sideline. ... The job had to be done to give us a chance to win the game. It was time to roll. I didn’t have time to process any emotions. It felt like it was three years ago and I was just playing ball."

This is the kind of confidence and dedication that we are trying to instill in our students. To know what you have to do and put your emotions aside is one of the utmost levels of self-control and self-discipline. This allows the greatest competitors to compete at high levels. This allows people to deal with stressful events and still continue on with what they need to do to succeed. Nerves and emotions are what will consistently get the best of you. Our own self-doubt is what hinders us the most. Focus on the job that needs done, and put those aside, and you will be able to accomplish the unthinkable.