by: Mary Catherine Cochran

“Billy Cundiff scores critical points for Ravens!”  This was not the headline on the front page of the Baltimore Sun sports section early last week, but maybe it should’ve been.   I don’t mean this in an ‘if only’ way…  “If only the scoreboard was correct”,” or “If only Harbaugh had called a timeout to give Cundiff a few extra seconds”.

I’m saying -in spite of the actual missed field goal opportunity and losing outcome of the game- that particular headline belonged on the front page.

The critical points in question occurred not during the game, but after, when the shock of defeat, and the sense of failure were still evident in Cundiff’s eyes as he chose to stand and face the consequences of his failed field goal attempt.  He could have slipped away and sidestepped the inevitable confrontation, the painful questions and the raging disappointment.   He scored his first critical point by demonstrating courage.  It takes physical courage to play football and mental courage to withstand high-pressure situations, but it takes a rare courage of the heart to squarely face your critics and detractors when emotions are running high.

“It’s a kick, “Cundiff said, “I’ve kicked a thousand times in my career. There’s really no excuse for it.”  Cundiff earned his second critical point by demonstrating integrity.  It is unusual- especially in the sports world, that you see someone accept full responsibility, offer no excuses and carry the burden of loss squarely on their own shoulders.

“It’s something that will be tough for a little while,” Cundiff said. “But I’ve got two kids; there are some lessons that I need to teach them. First and foremost is to stand up and face the music and move on.” Cundiff’s final critical point of the evening was resilience.  The ability to recover, and the determination to move on after a devastating failure is a lesson we all need to incorporate in our own lives.

We are often taught how to succeed; we are seldom taught how to fail.  Vince Lombardi said; “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up”.  Cundiff brought those words to life with a twist…  it’s not just whether you get up, but how you get up.  It’s a lesson to all of us- not just Cundiff’s children: Stand tall, take responsibility, accept the consequences of our actions, and moved forward with determination.