8 February 2012 | 15 Shevat 5772

Duane Thomas, the Dallas Cowboys first round draft pick in 1970, had a lot of potential. In fact, he helped the Cowboys win their first Super Bowl in 1971.  Thereafter Thomas got into trouble, lost his position as a running back and his brief four year NFL career with the Washington Redskins.  If Duane Thomas will not be remembered for his accomplishments on the field, he is worthy of being remembered because of an enlightened thought he once offered off of it.

The night before Super Bowl VI Thomas was asked about the meaning of the Super Bowl. After all, the reporter wanted to know, wasn’t this game the highest pinnacle of a professional football player’s career?  Could any football experience compare with such a sublime experience?  Duane Thomas’ response was succinct:

"If it's the ultimate game, how come they're playing it again next year?"

I thought of Duane Thomas’ sage words as I watched ESPN Sports Center for the two weeks prior to the Super Bowl this year and then when I caught moments of the pregame show last Sunday. It got to the point where I actually turned off Sports Center whenever a Super Bowl story appeared…which meant changing the channel quite frequently.

I actually chose to work most of the time on Sunday leading up to the game because I just couldn’t take any more of the mindless hype!  “Ultimate game?!”  I’m with Duane Thomas.  If so, how come they’re playing it again next year (…when we can once again hope that our Falcons will appear in it and win…)?

True, anyone vaguely familiar with the biblical narrative of our people could only be impressed as this year’s Super Bowl announcer on NBC, Al Michaels, who must have attended a synagogue service in Indianapolis the previous day and arrived in time for the reading of Parshat Beshallach, drew upon the most miraculous moment of the Exodus story. Near the end of Sunday’s game, as New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw mightily fought against the forces propelling him forward at a time it was unwise to score a touchdown (yes, that is correct), Michaels exclaimed, “He didn’t expect the Red Sea to part!”

Memorable as that phrase was for me, I will remember Duane Thomas’ slice of timeless wisdom much longer. And so should you!

"If it's the ultimate game, how come they're playing it again next year?" is a phrase befitting the High Holidays. But it is worth remembering any day when it may be appropriate in our lives.  To me, it means that, with rare exceptions, you can have a second chance.  Whatever it is, if you make a mistake the first time no matter how high the stakes or the importance of the moment, be ready because you may well have the opportunity for a “do – over.”  There is hardly, if ever, an ultimate game or ultimate moment that absolutely will not recur. Yes, it is wise to live as well and sensitively as possible because we can never know what will happen from one moment to the next.  Perhaps we will not have that opportunity “to do it over again.”  But most of the time, the “ultimate game” will not be a singular occurrence in our lives. Call it “doing teshuvah and learning from our mistakes.” Call it “greater sensitivity and maturity.” Chances are good that the “ultimate game” will arrive again, and this time we will have another opportunity to get it right.  Let’s hope so and strive to realize such moments as necessary.