Would You Believe in Victory with 10 Seconds Left? (Minnesota Vikings Did!)At halftime the Minnesota Vikings were up 17-0 and feeling confident they would win the NFC Championship game against the New Orleans Saints.
But the Saints came back with a vengeance, scoring throughout the second half. With less than a minute to go, the Saints scored a field goal that seemed to secure their win.
There was no way the Vikings were coming back. They were 71 yards away from the end zone with 10 seconds left on the clock. Vikings fans were already mourning. Even the Saints started celebrating their inevitable victory.
But the Vikings never gave up.
They played those last 10 seconds with perseverance and determination. They made every second count.
The quarterback Case Keenum threw the football to wide receiver Stefon Diggs who jumped to catch it, averted being tackled, caught himself when he lost his balance, and sprinted 61 yards for the game-winning touchdown!
It was incredible! But it wasn’t a miracle. It was possibility and intentionality (and talent!) in action.
How can we help our teams believe in possibility and act with intention to the very last second?
- Focus Don’t Flounder: The players ruthlessly battled together toward the same goal.
- Coach Don’t Rescue: The Vikings coach did not come running onto the field to grab the football and save the game.
- Praise Don’t Persecute: It was easy (and habitual) for the rest of us to judge and criticize from the sidelines.
- Strategize Don’t Victimize: Nobody can play the victim and rouse the remarkable simultaneously.
- Cheer Don’t Berate: Yelling and screaming doesn’t work to inspire dogs, babies, or team members.
When you’re racing the clock on a deadline, a project, or a race… use your words and actions to strengthen people’s belief in themselves and commitment to victory.