"Mental toughness is many things. It is humility because it behooves all of us to remember that simplicity is the sign of greatness and meekness is the sign of true strength. Mental toughness is spartanism with qualities of sacrifice, self-denial, dedication. It is fearlessness, and it is love." - Vince Lombardi
Coach Lombardi was one of my Father's heroes, and eventually became one of mine. As a lifelong Green Bay Packer Fan, some of our family vacations would be centered around traveling to Green Bay to tour Lambeau Field and other Packer shrines in the area. One memorable trip was the Grand Opening of the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame, which opened in the summer of 1970. My immediate family revisited that "hallowed ground" in the summer of 1994 when the Hall of Fame celebrated its 25th Anniversary.
The reason I picked this particular quote was that I felt it embodied the true spirit of perseverance. "Simplicity is the sign of greatness" can be better described by the teachings of Darren Hardy in his book "The Compound Effect." It is the little things that we do each and every day that help us attain and conquer our goals, not the "one time home run swing for the fence." Lombardi's musings were years ahead of the forgotten movie "Galaxy Quest" and its one memorable line spoken many times by Actor Tim Allen, "Never Give Up, Never Surrender!" Coach Lombardi was a classic; someone who will not be duplicated. When he died of cancer in 1970 (after leaving the Packers in 1968 to Coach the Washington Redskins), part of my Dad died too, as "Coach" was THE all-time legendary hero for Dad, and an inspiration for him to follow. Coach is also counted as one of my inspirational heroes, and always will be.
Coach's legacy still lives on in the "frozen tundra" of Green Bay, Wisconsin . . .
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