The loser is typically viewed as a non-cool, non-materialistic, geeky, and feeble bodied person. What makes or defines a loser? Is it size, agility, the inability to belong, poor choices made, or not having the resources to obtain materialistic gadgets, garments, and goods? Depending on who is reading this, it would be safe to say that we all have failed to reach an intended goal or objective. Regardless, if that goal has been achieved, the achievement came after an initial attempt. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines loser as “a person that loses especially consistently: a person who is incompetent or unable to succeed, something doomed to fail or disappoint.”
It has been six years since the high school football team, Shiloh Eagles, experienced a winning season. Upon entering the seventh football season, a key player has decided to transfer to a rival school. Losing three consecutive games in the beginning of the season, head coach Grant Taylor (Alex Kendrick) is faced with overwhelming odds of personal and professional crises, on and off the football field. While he is looking over the edge of despair and quitting, the thought of embracing defeat has never been so enticing. And just when things seems as though it could not get any worse, Coach Taylor discovers one of his coaches that there is a group of men, his is, moving to oust him After enduring the battle of renewed faith is among the group men that want to oust him from the head coach position.
Truth be told, we have placed this label on one or two people, and perhaps they may have rightly earned it. The person being labeled a loser, because of measly appearance or the lack of resources is a fallacy. The loser often turns out to be the CEO, the interviewer, or the school teacher. Until the full story is told and understood about someone, take caution in how you speak against or label them. Moreover, be very cautious about how you speak against anyone: you just may find yourself embracing the same fate of which you spoke.
Consequently, the individual loses, when they fail to properly employ all available resources, not just for themselves, but also those surrounding them. Therefore, the loser dares to stand alone, refusing to ask, knock, and seek for help.
I believe all of us are confronted with situations or circumstances that we can either magnify or minimize. Therefore, a good question to ask is, what do you see? How is it possible that a non-handicap person make themselves crippled to the point of refusing to move or give a valid attempt to move? Pro 23:7(Bible) records, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so [is] he”, and you don’t have to be spiritual to apply this universal principal. Perception is critical in how you approach various obstacles in life.
The news of the key player transfer, spread quickly and the remaining football players are worried. Based on one man actions, the consensus of the team is the season is over. They went as far as to render themselves powerless and of no value. When faced with a small giant, the majority agreed, “we” don’t have a chance.
Mr. Childers asked his son, David Childers (Bailey Cave) about going out for the football team. Without hesitation, in a negative manner, he responds with a description of himself that is not viewed on screen. After losing to a team that has never beaten Shiloh's football team, Coach Taylor is angry with the apathy displayed by the players. While helping his dad paint in the kitchen, David tells his dad about what took place in the locker room. Mr. Childers asks David a vital question, "son, are you ready to play in the game?" Again, David responds negative, putting someone else well above himself. Although, Mr Childers has a legitimate handicap that keeps him in a wheelchair for mobility, i wonder which is truly handicap. David is not aware that he missed a spot on the wall and leaves the kitchen. In the fashion of a father that is willing to teach his son vital lessons for the game of life, he attempts to correct the mistake he noticed, but he has to stand to reach the area. Although Mr. Childers fell back into the chair, his response to his son was "got a little ambitious, and wanted to take a swing at it". Then, has if a light clicked on in the mind of David, without saying the words, his expression says, OK dad, I got it.
Losers possess potential that lacks perseverance. Losers can be a group that is not a team. Losers are often well equipped individuals, but yet unarmed.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “if it was a snake, I would have been bitten? How many can reflect on upon a time where that phrase was prevalent to a situation? Now through the actions of one young man, the team begins to see what has been there all along with in them.
This revelation takes place after Coach Taylor has taken a long look within himself and his faith; he has found those keys that will fit the ignition switch within the football team. Later, he would challenge the team through Brock Kelley (Jason McLeod). Brock stood approximately 6’1 height and weighed about 210 lbs., a fair portrait of a football player.
So often, we miss the most obvious things, because our attention is focused on something totally different or another direction. Brock, a dominant leader figure on the football team, talks negatively about the upcoming game and predicts the remaining of the season. Coach Taylor calls him out on a challenge and Brock willingly accepts the challenge; after all, “he” is not a loser. The actions of one person, changes the mindset and outlook of an entire team.
Where did the concept of team go? Was it ever there? All too often, we put our self-worth and ability in those which we have surrounded ourselves, what happens when that person leaves.
Often times, it is not the giant the is the actual problem, but mainly how small the giant make me feel and look. Moreover, when facing a giant at eye-level, the giant doesn't appear to be great in stature. How does one transition from theloser, status. A grim reality is, perhaps never. People have the ultimate weapon ever given to mankind, choice. Because man has the power of choice, an individual may view you as a loser by whatever measures they deem. The question remains, what do you see? Knowledge is power, only when accurately and efficiently applied. James 2:20(BIBLE) states, “faith without works is dead”. If truly believed, then actions upon the belief will follow.
Coach Taylor relied on the one thing that has never let him down, faith in God. After he takes time to reflect and find fresh faith and renewed hope, he comes back stronger than before; challenges the group of guys to become a team; caused them to evaluate their purpose for being equipped as a football player; and gives them all new vision looking the same problem-a losing season. The group of young men resolved to take what they had bring it together and “give their best” on every down and execute every play with perfection: they put into actions what they believed, based on the new vision and hope. The season of being the loser was over! Although every man is given a measure of faith, it’s the choice one makes that will make the difference.
The loser- it’s a choice, not what someone thinks. Really, what do you see?
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