There’s more to life than winning

“Down…..set….hut……hut HIKE!”

What better way to kick off the fall semester than with a football movie? Based on the inspiring true story, “When the Game Stands Tall” is a clean, PG-rated breath of fresh air in the midst of steamy, seductive movies shown nowadays.

Taking place in sunny Concord, California, the movie centers on the De La Salle high school football team and their winning streak, which has stood strong for more than a decade.

Under the solid, character-building leadership of Coach Bob Ladouceur, the team has undergone not only grueling practices and games, but also pre-game prayers and teambuilding. Coach Lad, as the team calls him, has taught the boys there is more to life than football. The team lives up to this standard relatively well. After all, it’s easy to stand behind each other when everything is going your way.

De La Salle’s endurance is put to the test, however, when the winning streak comes to an abrupt halt during the first game of the 2004 season.

How does one cope with the downfall of losing after winning for so long? How can confidence and control of emotions be regained when all seems lost?

Coach Lad steps in to teach an important lesson—it matters more how you play the game than whether you win or lose.

I was impressed by how relatable the movie was. Just as each of us has his or her own challenges and struggles to overcome, so does each character in the film.

Whether it is as routine as enduring one more draining practice before the big game or as tragic as losing someone close to you, every viewer will be able to relate to one character or another in some way.

“When the Game Stands Tall” was a touchdown with me and is a must see for all who desire more out of life than just winning or losing.