WordUp by Chad Gramling

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“All atheletes care about these days is their legacy.”

I watched Rocky Balboa a few days ago.

When you stop laughing, let me suggest that it is a good movie. While I could turn this into a post to defend the movie, but go see it for yourself and tell me what you think.

There was a scene in the movie where Rocky’s competition and undisputed heavyweight chapion of the world, Mason “The Line” Dixson, is in the sparring ring while his marketing representatives discuss his future. Mason laughs off the idea of facing Balboa out of concern for how it woudl affect his reputation and perhaps tarnish his legacy.

That’s when one of Dixson’s representatives shouts (I am paraphrasing b/c I cannot remember the exact quote) “All athletes care about these days is their legacy.”

It struck me as interesting, because one might contend very successfully that the legacy of the Rocky movies has been tarnished since the second installment. Without a doubt, the fifth one did more damage than a Clubber Lang or Ivan Drago knockout ever could.

But when you watch this movie, you get a real understading of Rocky that you might have missed in all previous viewings of the first five. Rocky was a great fighter, but he was an even greater person. His actions were most often selfless acts that helped others.

And Rocky Balboa does an outstanding job of presenting this case. There are countless examples throughout the film and when you really look at the earlier installments, you can pick out a several examples too.

And ultimately, when Rocky makes his return to the ring, it is maybe the first time he entered for himself and fought for his own sake than for another’s sake. And poetically, he ends up helping everyone involved while doing so.

I gotta think I would like to leave a personal legacy like that. One that is more about what I do and did for others than what I did for myself. I have failed miserably at doing so for pretty much my entire life. Here’s hoping we all can make that change.

Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done. Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that!

[tags]Rocky Balboa, Selflessness, Boxing, Movies, Inspiration[/tags]