SEIZE THE RAY

I always wonder what happens to athletes after they've had their day in the sun.  There's the rare superstar who signs the mega contract and never has to worry about another day, moneywise that is.  Then there's the regular player, the player who maybe played an all star game or two, not your star but somebody who's made a career from what they love.  That athlete succeeds enough to make a career out of it, to have enough money to retire from the sport alone, along with the occasional guest speaking appearances. 

Sometimes the dream is very brief.  Sometimes it's just that cup of coffee and then it's gone.  Sometimes it never happens.  And you're so close.  And you're good, very good: you could've been a contender. 

I read this story in the Austin American-Statesman about Ray Lassiter.  Ray was a soccer genius and a hopeful for the 1998 World Cup US Team.  He was cut at the last minute because the coach decided the team needed a third goalie.  Ray is 37 now and his time has passed.

And you wonder what goes through his mind as the World Cup approaches.  Are there ghosts of himself, the could've should've beens, running around the field as the teams battle for glory? 

For sure.

Does he go back in time and try to change a decision that was out of his control?

Probably.

You wonder about these nightmares an athlete goes through, the reliving of the tale of what should've happened, over and over.  It happens to athletes, who are at their very core competitive folks and when not given that chance to quench that competitiveness on the field, you bet it hurts.  It happens to everyone, ordinary folks who are denied something that they feel they deserved. 

And then again all athletes are ordinary folks.

The thing I liked about this story of Ray Lassiter in the Statesman is that it realizes "reality".   And reality is about the triumph of the transition.  Dealing well with the changes going on in your life is really the key to success.  Ray has a daughter on the way.  That's definitely a change in his life.  And he's learned somewhat through his athletics and somewhat through pure living how to deal with this great, positive news about to happen. 

Athletics and reality make a good coach.  Ray now directs the Austin United Capitols Soccer Club.  He teaches young boys and girls the game of soccer and how to be excellent on the field, and I'm sure off of it as well.