level, and scoop up the ball. You can do it. Drive forward in your life or relationships, and stretch for the first down. Many times, a personal victory comes from one defining moment in time.
Fear is often what holds us back from success. Ask yourself what negative thoughts and emotions are setting you back, and then affirm yourself in the moments you feel those fears or pressures. When you know what attitude or emotion is holding you back, call it out. Force yourself to overcome fear with positive and affirming thoughts. Wake up every day with a Harbaugh mindset—attack each day—and then repeat that same mindset throughout the rest of your day. You can do it, and each time you press forward is like gaining another clutch first down. No setback has to define you, and you can look at each setback as an opportunity to springboard to your greatest victory. Go Blue!
Is there a ball in your life that you need to scoop up? At work? At home? Or in a relationship? If so, what do you need to do to get that first down?
Del Duduit
November 20, 1976: Michigan 20, Ohio State 0
ROB LYTLE LED THE WAY as Michigan clinched its first Rose Bowl appearance in four years by thumping rival Ohio State University 20–0 and sharing the Big Ten title with the Buckeyes. The tailback from Fremont, Ohio, plowed his way through the OSU defense and rushed for 165 yards. He could not be stopped.
For Lytle, this was a typical game. Many called him one of Michigan head football coach Bo Schembechler’s favorite players, although he’d had to earn this distinction.
During his freshman year in 1973, he was the eighth tailback on the Wolverines roster, but his coaches noticed his reputation as a hard-nosed running machine. They liked his driven mentality and toughness.
As a sophomore in 1974, he was the team’s second-leading rusher with 802 yards on 140 carries for an average of 5.7 yards. He got the nod at fullback his junior year and was the second-leading rusher with 1,030 yards on 193 carries (average: 5.3 yards) in 12 games.
His senior year, he shifted to tailback and led Michigan to a Big Ten Conference Championship title. The Wolverines finished 10–2 and ranked number three in the Associated Press Poll. He led the team in rushing with 1,469 yards on 221 carries, scored fourteen touchdowns, received a selection to the first team All-American, and placed third in the Heisman Trophy voting.
While wearing Maize and Blue, Lytle set a school record with 3,307 yards rushing, which wasn’t broken until five years later. He carried on his football career in the NFL as a Denver Bronco, receiving the forty-fifth pick overall in the 1977 draft. Over his seven-year career, he ran for 1,451 yards and scored fourteen touchdowns. He was the first player to score a touchdown in both the Rose Bowl and the Super Bowl. Lytle died in 2010 but was posthumously inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
Who is the Rob Lytle in your life—that person who stands out, pushes forward, and always gives it their all, no matter what? How did that person go above and beyond, and how did that benefit you?
LOOK OVER THE DEFENSE
Does someone you know deserve public accolades or recognition? Perhaps a teacher or coach meant a great deal to you, and you never thanked them. Like many people, you assumed they did not want acknowledgment or were “just doing their job.” Maybe you feel like you’ve taken a loved one for granted and want to convey a special message to them before it’s too late.
Perhaps the person you want to thank lives with you or close by, or maybe they are hundreds of miles away. No matter how near or far, take the initiative to find someone who deserves your gratitude and show them your appreciation. Don’t procrastinate any longer, or else when they’re gone, you will have to live with the regret of never telling them. You’ve thought about it for a while, and the time for action is now.
GO FOR THE PYLON
You can show your gratitude in many ways. Take note of the person’s birthday and send a card or gift. Social media is nice, but a handwritten letter adds a personal touch. You can also send a Christmas or holiday card. When you allocate a few moments of your time, it will mean a lot to the person on the receiving end. Invite them to coffee or lunch. If the person lives close to you, take them out to brunch as a sign of appreciation. If you run into them at the coffee shop, buy their drink. Realize that the little things matter.
If the person you want to show thanks to is part of your immediate family—your spouse, your children, your parents—tell them how you feel every day. When I became a father in my midtwenties, I realized just how much my parents had sacrificed for me. In return, I got into the habit of checking in on them on a regular basis. I cut the grass for my dad often, and I took my mom shopping and ran errands for her when she became older. I did this not out of guilt but out of gratitude.
Rob Lytle gave his all for Michigan fans. He played hard and sacrificed daily in workouts and practices to perform well. In the end, he was posthumously inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, so he did not get to receive his ultimate reward for his dedication. You have the opportunity today to tell someone special what they mean to you before it’s too late. Go Blue!
Is there someone who deserves your gratitude? Think of three people and act today!
Cyle Young
October 15, 2005: Penn State at Michigan
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY ROLLED INTO Ann Arbor expecting to trounce the floundering University of Michigan Wolverines. The Nittany Lions were undefeated, and their 6–0 record was Penn State’s best start since 1999. The 3–3 Wolverines had experienced an equal share of offensive and defensive struggles over the course of the 2005 season. Their lone bright spot entering the Penn State game was the fact that Michigan had dominated the last six games in the series, including a 27–24 overtime win in 2002. For whatever reason, Michigan had become Penn State’s Achilles’ heel.
The Nittany Lions were intent on ending the losing record and taking back control of the series. If Penn State’s stellar dual-threat quarterback had anything to do with it, that was exactly what they’d do.
But the first half didn’t go as expected—for either team. The game turned into a defensive battle. With 4:34 left in the second quarter, the score was 3–0. Michigan held a small and unexpected lead on a Garrett Rivas field goal.
The Wolverines entered the third quarter with the newfound belief not only that they could they win but also that they held the lead and the momentum. Michigan extended their lead
