When Losing Is Beautiful

Want to see something beautiful?

Of course you do. 

This is Geno Auriemma, seconds after his UCONN basketball team lost for the first time in 111 games. It was an epic upset. Consider this about the 111 game winning streak:

111

Consecutive wins

867

Days between UConn losses (Nov. 17, 2014, to Stanford in overtime).

80

Consecutive wins in AAC play.

65

Largest margin of victory, 103-37 against No. 20 South Florida on Jan. 10

61

Victories by at least 40 points

23

More wins than the men’s record of 88, by John Wooden’s 197-74 UCLA Bruins

4

Combined margin of defeat in 2 overtime losses sandwiching the streak

2

National titles

Look again at Geno’s face. 

Do you think he places sports in the proper context? 

Do you think he knows that you can give a valiant effort and still lose? 

And that there is absolutely no shame?

None.

Indeed he does.

Competition can be a good thing. Competition can help people achieve things they didn’t think they could.

Competition can get the better of some.

This is Todd Bertuzzi, seconds away from cold-cocking an opponent and inches away from paralyzing him.

This is Draymond Green kicking an opponent in the testicles.

This is Mike Tyson biting the ear of Evander Holyfield in a “boxing” match.

You might be wondering if this is a dude thing. It isn't.

You might be wondering if it is the professional aspect of sports/competition that creates this. 

The money lure is too much and guys go too far for the big contract because winning matters and personal stats matter…all the way to the bank.

You would be wrong. 

Parents got too far.

Here is Lavar Ball. 

He wants his son to be the greatest. Or is it all of his sons? 

And this is Todd Marinovich. 

His dad was stretching his hamstrings as a baby. 

What could go wrong? 

Competition can be a good thing. Part of competition is losing. For everyone.

Losing with grace and perspective is beautiful, especially in regards to a game where you throw a ball into a peach basket.