Indianapolis Colts 2023 NFL First Round Draft pick Quarterback Anthony Richardson tapped out in his game against the Houston Texans. After scrambling with the football, Anthony took himself out of the game. The Colts backup quarterback had to come into the game for the next play.
In his press conference after the Colts loss to the Texans, Anthony said, “I was too tired.” Since then, the Colts benched him and will ride with veteran Joe Flacco as Quarterback for the remainder of the season. Maybe the Colts get into the playoffs. Who knows? Not only was what Anthony Richardson did a bad look, he looked like he quit. That he had no heart. Honestly, only Anthony knows.
On ESPN First Take, Host Stephen A. Smith, retired Super Bowl Champion Ryan Clark, and Heisman Trophy Winner and former NFL MVP Cam Newton discussed the consequences of Anthony Richardson’s actions.
Cam noted that in an off-season interview, Anthony said “Man, it’s easier to play in the NFL than in college.” He said, “Man, you don’t do that! You don’t say that!” What Anthony said was disrespectful to the NFL and to its players. He doesn’t have the cache to say that. Cam said, “You’re not that guy yet.”
In his touching introspection, Cam said, “I didn’t jump on the football in the Super Bowl… I can’t post an Instagram post, a Tick-tock, or even a Twitter post without somebody mentioning that.”
In 2016 Super Bowl 50, Carolina Panthers Quarterback Cam Newton fumbled the snap, but he didn’t jump on the football to recover it. The Denver Broncos recovered the ball. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 24 – 10. Everyone said that Cam quit. That he had no heart.
In vulnerable strength Cam said, “Knowing what I know now, I would have tore every ligament in leg trying to jump on that God dang fumble! Knowing what I know now. You don’t just come into the league and take these things for granted.” I cried for Cam’s authentic humanity.
He said of Anthony Richardson, “I know what you went through!” Cam said to Ryan Clark, “There are certain points in the game, RC (Ryan Clark), it’s time to win!” Cam compassionately implored to Anthony Richardson, “Bro, we need you to fight!”
We can forgive a lot of things. Ideally, we should forgive everything. There are many people, who are bigger, stronger, and better than me. Still, when I tap out, when I quit that’s on me. I fail others. I fail myself. I have no heart. I’m not strong enough inside. That’s hard to forgive. Truth.
Aikido Founder O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba said, “True victory is victory over oneself.” I’m my greatest opponent. It’s me against me. I move forward even when I’m afraid. I take back my center. I take myself back. I’m strong inside. That’s the strength that makes a difference, not the strength outside.
When I took my Nidan (2nd degree black belt) test in Aikido, the last phase was randori. In randori, other black belts attack to grab me anyway that they can. I have to throw and evade the attackers until Mizukami Sensei clapped his hands. By design, I would lose. Eventually, I would get caught by all the black belts. I knew that. Sensei knew that.
Mizukami Sensei was Old School. Randori wasn’t really about technique, it was about character. Sensei wanted to see how far I could go, go beyond what I thought I could. That I don’t quit on myself.
I had executed one-on-one Aikido technique for empty hand and weapons attacks for the grueling previous hour. I was so fucking tired. I had expected 3 attackers, maybe 4 for randori. However, Ishibashi Sensei selected 5 black belts to attack me. I thought, “WTF?” I was scared. Scared that I would fail badly. I remembered that Mizukami Sensei taught me that my mind is the calmest in the danger. That I throw one attacker at a time. I make one throw at a time.
Ishibashi Sensei clapped his hands. It was on. I threw the first attacker to my left. I evaded the next attacker and threw the attacker to my right. I ran forward in a circle to make the attackers chase me to create space to throw. I threw the attackers one at a time. I take it one throw at a time.
After about 2 minutes which felt like 2 hours, all the black belts collapsed on me. I was done. Ishibashi Sensei clapped his hands. I went further than I thought I could. I didn’t tap out. I didn’t quit. I was stronger inside than I thought I was. I believe that we all are. Oh yeah, I passed my test. Nothing, but mad love and respect to Mizukami Sensei and Ishibashi Sensei. They allowed me to see that I was greater than I thought. That was their profound gift.
Marcella Paviot Sensei said, “Enter the attack and die with honor.” I’m afraid of a lot of things. I’m afraid of losing, too. Still Bro, you need to fight on. Keep moving forward. I enter the attack, enter the danger. The safest place to be is under the attack, in the danger. I hold my position and let go my fear inside that I’m not good enough. I take my center back. I don’t take anything for granted.
In life, I work on myself, not on others. I do the best that I can. That’s all I can do. That way, I can live with myself. Amen.
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Photo by 愚木混株 cdd20 on Unsplash
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