Perhaps you saw it. Perhaps you did not.<\/p>\n
When the University of Michigan men\u2019s basketball team hit their improbable, last-second shot\u00a0\u2014 shockingly sending the Wolverines into the so-called “Sweet 16” \u2014 pandemonium erupted on the court. As is often typical these days, the players and fans went a little, understandably crazy.<\/p>\n
There was shock on both ends \u2014 in winning. And losing.<\/p>\n
And then there was this, as depicted by Brian Smith, for www.AthletesInAction.com:<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026 As Houston\u2019s Cory Davis watched in disbelief along the sideline, he was met by an unlikely visitor. Mo Wagner, a forward for the Wolverines known for his grit and sometimes chippy play, stopped pursuing the chaos and momentarily reengaged his opponent.<\/em><\/p>\n The moment is worth championing on multiple levels.<\/em><\/p>\n God created us to celebrate when things go well. It completes the experience. To neglect the opportunity to celebrate would leave us feeling like we had one final piece of a puzzle that we just decided not to fit into place. There is nothing wrong with the rest of the Wolverines chasing each other around the court. You can even see Wagner start the celebration process.<\/em><\/p>\n But then he presses pause. Why?<\/em><\/p>\n I have no idea. I can guess, but ultimately, I don\u2019t know why he stopped.<\/em><\/p>\n That\u2019s a large reason why this moment was so beautiful. It was not normal or expected. It was not scripted. You can tell from Wagner\u2019s body language that he did not start running with the intention of stopping to chat with Davis. It certainly wasn\u2019t to mock Davis.<\/em><\/p>\n Something more like competitive empathy. Athletic respect toward a fellow player who competed at a high level and helped bring out everyone\u2019s best. Understanding born out of his own experience with losing. A genuine compassion extended to the vanquished \u2014 perhaps out of relief that he wasn\u2019t having to suffer the emotions that come with Davis\u2019 fate. A simple display of class. Whatever \u2014 it was something worth noticing.<\/em><\/p>\n March Madness never fails to deliver memorable moments. The Cinderella stories, unlikely comebacks, and buzzer beaters will always make ESPN headlines.<\/em><\/p>\n But moments like these make sports so captivating for us. Against the backdrop of the Madness, snapshots of compassion and empathy continue to capture our attention \u2014 and keep us fixated to see what could potentially happen next.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019m reminded of a previous post penned last fall. It detailed the 14 warmup shirts worn by the Purdue men\u2019s basketball team this season. Each wore a different word\u2026<\/p>\n Peace.<\/em> Isn\u2019t it true? Against the backdrop of the madness, the above virtues capture our attention most. They last for more than one shining moment in time.<\/p>\n Respectfully\u2026 Perhaps you saw it. Perhaps you did not. When the University of Michigan men\u2019s basketball team hit their improbable, last-second shot\u00a0\u2014 shockingly sending the Wolverines into the so-called “Sweet 16” \u2014 pandemonium erupted on the court. As is often typical these days, the players and fans went a little, understandably crazy. There was shock on … <\/p>\n
\nJustice. <\/em>
\nHumility. <\/em>
\nTogetherness.<\/em>
\nRespect. <\/em>
\nLoyalty. <\/em>
\nLove.<\/em>
\nEmpathy. <\/em>
\nEquality.<\/em>
\nUnity.<\/em>
\nFriendship. <\/em>
\nForgiveness.<\/em>
\nTolerance. <\/em>
\nCompassion.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"