Sunday, January 30, 2005

Are you in a tough spot? Look for the Silver lining!

Are you in a tough spot? There has to be a silver lining!

1987 football season when the Denver Broncos played the Cleveland Browns for the AFC title Less than two minutes remained in the game and Cleveland was ahead by a touchdown. The Broncos had just fumbled the ball out of bounds on their own 1/2 yard line. Hostile Cleveland fans were already throwing dog biscuits onto the field and celebrating a sure Cleveland win.

While the fans were discussing whom Cleveland would play in the Super Bowl and Denver fans were nursing bruised egos, the Broncos huddled in their own end zone. Quarterback John Elway was known for miraculous wins, but this situation was almost impossible.

All-pro left tackle Keith Bishop looked around the huddle at his teammates took a deep breath and said, "Hey, now we got them right where we want them!" Tense silence was broken by laughter.

One player laughed so hard he fell down! Somehow the joke lent perspective to an absurd situation and a sense of calm confidence replaced anxiety.

What followed has been dubbed the annals of football lore as The Drive. In less than two minutes, John Elway and the Broncos drove the length of the field and tied the game with just second's left.

They won in overtime and went on to the 1988 Super Bowl

Mark Twain said, laughter is the greatest weapon that we humans possess and it's the one we use the least.