© Patty Fitts. All Rights Reserved.
I try to keep sports analogies to a minimum, but sometimes I just can’t avoid it. Something in the playoff game between the Giants and the 49ers yesterday was too good to pass up. Since so many people are talking about the great comeback by the 49ers, especially now that they will be playing the Tampa Bay Bucs.
There were so many stars in the game, each vying for the attention of the crowd. Terrell Owens draws the admiration of his fans through superb athletic ability, but the ire of his detractors by his taunts and stunts. Tiki Barber, running back for the Giants, was on top of his game with his combined yardage receiving and rushing the football. Each team made great plays on both offense and defense. The game, however, came down to one player who would rather not be noticed at all. At the end, all people are talking about is the “bad snap.”
Ryan Benjamin, nephew of North Bay Hospital’s own Jane Benjamin, knows how important it is to remain anonymous. He is the “long snapper” for the Tampa Bay Bucaneers. Whenever Tom Tupa punts, or Martin Grammatica kicks a field goal, their success depends on Ryan Benjamin doing his job, which, if done properly, goes unnoticed by almost everyone. Yesterday the “long snapper” for the Giants, whose name I will mercifully not mention, muffed snaps on the last two field goals. Either one could have meant a victory for the Giants. There are many plays in the game that could have also changed the outcome, for no game really comes down to one play. But those two snaps will be remembered over all the others.
Ryan is known by few fans, apart from family and friends, because his snaps since signing mid-season with the Bucs, have been flawless. I’m quite sure that for the most part, Ryan would rather remain anonymous.
Recognition and praise are important, but should not be the primary motivation for our efforts. As in athletics, we find our approval with the success of the team, the satisfaction of the patients and families we serve. With everyone doing their part, we all become winners.
© 2003, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume I (2003).
There were so many stars in the game, each vying for the attention of the crowd. Terrell Owens draws the admiration of his fans through superb athletic ability, but the ire of his detractors by his taunts and stunts. Tiki Barber, running back for the Giants, was on top of his game with his combined yardage receiving and rushing the football. Each team made great plays on both offense and defense. The game, however, came down to one player who would rather not be noticed at all. At the end, all people are talking about is the “bad snap.”
Ryan Benjamin, nephew of North Bay Hospital’s own Jane Benjamin, knows how important it is to remain anonymous. He is the “long snapper” for the Tampa Bay Bucaneers. Whenever Tom Tupa punts, or Martin Grammatica kicks a field goal, their success depends on Ryan Benjamin doing his job, which, if done properly, goes unnoticed by almost everyone. Yesterday the “long snapper” for the Giants, whose name I will mercifully not mention, muffed snaps on the last two field goals. Either one could have meant a victory for the Giants. There are many plays in the game that could have also changed the outcome, for no game really comes down to one play. But those two snaps will be remembered over all the others.
Ryan is known by few fans, apart from family and friends, because his snaps since signing mid-season with the Bucs, have been flawless. I’m quite sure that for the most part, Ryan would rather remain anonymous.
Recognition and praise are important, but should not be the primary motivation for our efforts. As in athletics, we find our approval with the success of the team, the satisfaction of the patients and families we serve. With everyone doing their part, we all become winners.
© 2003, John C. Fitts, III. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted from Grace Drops, Volume I (2003).
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