Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
January 2, 2004, Washington Post

A Sporting Chance

Steve Spurrier resigned as coach of the Washington Redskins this week. In his two seasons, Spurrier's Skins were 12-20. So I guess people will say that Spurrier was a failure as a pro coach. A loser. I am not so sure.

One of the hardest things to do in sports -- for kids or for the pros -- is to take a chance. To let go of the last-second shot or a bases-loaded pitch. To go out for a team you are not sure you can make. To try something new.

All of these things are hard because sports makes no promises to anyone. You can lose just as easily as you can win. There are no guarantees when the games begin. It is easy to sit in the safety of the sidelines and say that you could be the next Michael Jordan or Cal Ripken. It is much more difficult to get into a game, give it everything you've got and maybe find out that you are not as good as you thought you were.

Last year, a big name in sports took a big chance. Annika Sorenstam was the best female golfer in the world. A hands-down Hall of Famer with more Ladies Professional Golf Association titles and more money than she could count. But she took a chance and played against some of the best male golfers in the world at the Colonial tournament. She played even though there was a chance she might shoot an 80 or an 82 and embarrass herself and her sport.

Sorenstam did okay. She shot 71 and 74. She did not win the tournament or even make the cut (to play in the final two rounds), but she went away feeling like a winner. She had tested herself against the best in her game.

It seems to me that Steve Spurrier did the same thing. Two years ago, Spurrier was a terrific college football coach. He had won a national championship at the University of Florida, and lots of football experts said he was an offensive genius. Spurrier could have relaxed in the sun, won more games against Vanderbilt and Kentucky and listened to people say what a great pro coach he could be.

Instead, Spurrier took a chance and headed to the National Football League. He arrived in Washington full of hope, ideas and confidence. He was going to save the Redskins and take them all the way to the Super Bowl.

Well, it didn't turn out that way.

But just because Spurrier fell short of what he had hoped and dreamed does not make him a loser. At least Spurrier tried. He took the chance and tested himself against the best in his sport. Isn't taking a chance and facing new challenges what sports are supposed to be about?