Being a Good Backup

A second string quarterback is one of the most difficult positions int he game of football. A backup quarterback has to work equally as hard and be just as prepared as the starting qb, yet may never see the field in the course of game. Furthermore, the backup quarterback must be ready at a moment’s notice to step in and take over.

There are lots of great stories of starting quarterbacks going down and backup qbs that come in and lead their teams to victory. There are others whose stories have not gone so well. I have been on both sides of those stories.

I can remember my freshmen year of college when the starting quarterback when down for the season and I had to come into the game and try and win it. I think my first collegiate pass probably sailed over the receivers head by 10 feet. But the same receiver, a veteran guy, ran up to me and looked at me and said, “Just do what you’ve been doing in practice and you’ll be fine”.

This brief statement made me realize that, while the heat of the battle in the middle of a game is more intense that a practice will ever be, I had been successful enough in practice to earn the backup role and was now capable of being successful and leading the team to a win. The receivers calm and encouraging words gave me confidence to play well the rest of the game, and we got the win.

You and I are always preparing for the big moments of our lives. The question is, when the big moment comes, when we’re ‘put into the game’ or ‘given our shot’ have we worked hard enough and prepared well enough to be able to succeed when it matters? Take a lesson from a career backup, you want to be ready when they call your name. Sharpen your skills and hone your abilities so that when its your chance, you reveal the teammate and leader that you have always been.