How Football Can Influence Your Marriage
What do marriage and the Baltimore Ravens have in common? They are both underrated. AND with the right spirit and resolute determination, they can both triumph!How about those Ravens becoming the AFC Champions? Having outplayed Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos, the Ravens came up against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, another one of their greatest challengers, and won!Just like no one thought the Ravens could win last weekend, many people think marriage is a dying institution. With a 50% divorce rate and more people than ever before living a single life, it’s not surprising. However, we can learn from the Raven’s success as a team and apply that knowledge to our marriages and relationships. The words of the Ravens will show you how:ON COMMUNICATINGJohn Harbaugh, Ravens Head Coach:
“One thing about our guys, we like our guys talking things out and confronting issues. We’ve been doing that throughout the course of the season and it’s pushed us so close as a football team.”
An intimate team in marriage must communicate effectively. That means facing and embracing issues that are difficult to talk about and finding ways to deal with conflict. Communication draws the relationship team close.ON “BELIEVING” IN TOUGH TIMES Anquan Boldin, Ravens Wide Receiver:
“This team is a team of faith, we believed all year no matter what the circumstances were. We’ve been through a lot as a team. We’ve had injuries after injuries, We’ve had one of our brothers lose a loved one. We’ve lost an offensive coordinator. You name it; we’ve been through it. But this team has never wavered. No matter what the situation was, we always believed.”
Partners need to have faith and belief in their commitment and in the promise of marriage. As couples walk through life crises together facing the bumps and bruises in their relationship as well as in their family, they must stand unwavering and believe in the team.ON PLAYING FOR THE TEAMRay Rice, Running Back:
“Everybody went out there and played for each other. It is not one guy, it is a team. There is no more saying one guy showed up, we showed up as a team.”
In relationships both individuals need to “show up” for the marriage, not just for him/herself. The focus of the relationship is not on each individual; it’s on the synergy of the team.ON PATIENCE AGAINST THE ODDS Ed Reed, Ravens Safety:
“It’s been a long time coming, but it takes time. We’ve built up to this point. We went up against a great team today. This is a great organization. They’ve been the champions… It was a hard-fought game and we’re just thankful and grateful to be on this side of the ball.”
Extraordinary relationships are built over time and with tremendous patience. Being humble and expressing gratitude toward your partner serves you well when times are tough.ON LOVEBrendon Ayanbadejo, Linebacker:
“This is a tough game, where you have to train every single day of your life to be the best you can be. But if you love the man next to you and you play football with love, you can do anything. You play for the love of the man next to you.”
When you work on your relationship everyday, as we do, remember the reason you are doing it - love.ON PERSEVERANCEJames Ihedigbo, Safety:
“We had to persevere through a lot of things and this team has been through so much inside that locker room that no one knows about. We continued to fight no matter what it was. Whether it was injuries or personal things. We fought together and now we’re AFC Champions. We’re going to the Super Bowl.”
Perseverance is one of the biggest keys to having a successful relationship over a lifetime. Giving up cannot be an option. The couples that succeed will do “whatever it takes.”ON GRATITUDEJustin Tucker, Kicker:
“We have to just understand that this is a pretty rare thing, and we have to just cherish these moments, that we get to share with each other.”
Appreciating the moments together in the “now” reminds us that all things pass, the great times and the “not so great” times. Remembering that ultimately nothing lasts forever helps us keep perspective.ON ACCEPTING THE UPS AND DOWNSJoe Flacco, Ravens Quarterback:
“We had a couple of bad losses, but we really rebounded from them…and hey, that just happens sometimes.”
Every relationship has its share of ups and downs. We do too. The secret is to accept that and learn how to deal with them so you can bounce back.ON RESPECT Ray Lewis, Ravens Linebacker:
“And our locker room, it’s contagious with a certain respect that we have for each other, coaches all the way down to trainers. It’s a great environment to be around.”
It’s easy to take each other for granted. Respect in a relationship is vital and contagious. The more you respect your partner, the more he/she will respect you.This might be a post your husband would be interested in.Here’s to the Super Bowl. Go Ravens!!