Shawntae Spencer was speaking to the media in an interview room at Wembley Stadium after Sunday’s game and his teammate, Takeo Spikes, was in the audience, listening along with a group of reporters.
Spikes was waiting for his turn to talk. But he couldn’t resist playing sportswriter and asking Spencer a question.
I figured Spikes’ question would be humorous. But it wasn’t. He was sincere as he asked Spencer about his pregame preparation after Spencer had been burned for a game-tying touchdown by rookie David Gettis in a 23-20 loss to the Panthers. Spencer rebounded Sunday with the game-sealing interception against Denver.
“It really hurt me, you and me talked about it,” Spencer said, looking
at Spikes. “It really, really hurt me that I gave up that touchdown,
that big play last week which really tied the ballgame up and we end up
losing that game. So my mindset was practice-wise is where it all
begins. I’ve never worked so hard in practice this week. It was the best
week of practice that I’ve probably had in my career. I didn’t want to
have that feeling again. I don’t want to have that feeling again. It’s
one of those things where what you do in practice will carry over into
the game. I picked off a few passes in practices this week, so it’s only
fitting that I ended it that way.”
I was struck by two things in the unusual press-conference interaction between teammates.
For starters, it was a generous move by Spikes to ask the question. A
small gesture, perhaps, but he had insight into the disappointment
Spencer felt against Carolina and the satisfaction he was feeling
Sunday. He wanted to give his teammate a chance to share what had led up
to his pick against the Broncos.
In addition, it was a reminder that professional athletes have reached the top thanks to qualities beyond talent.
Sure, some have had their drive dulled by fat contracts, but the majority, I’m guessing, are like Spencer.
They agonize over their failures and rely on those other qualities —
passion and pride among them — in an effort to ensure it doesn’t happen
again.
In other words, they take losses harder than the fans that follow them.
Scary thought, huh?
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