Great teams are composed of players who measure success not in terms of individual accomplishments, but whether the team won or lost.
Joe McDonald was ecstatic about his three touchdowns in a 27-25 loss in State Farm flag football action Thursday.
Although the team never led, beginning with a safety on the first drive of the game, each of McDonald's scores brought his team within a few points of victory.
As the first half ended, from the five yard line, his sprint from center to the right corner of the end zone allowed the quarterback to thread a pass just beyond the defender's arms.
Midway through the second half, he caught a short pass from midfield and, with two players reaching for his flag, pulled a leaping spin move that stranded both defenders in his wake. From there he streaked down the right sideline, stretching the ball across the goal line miniseconds before being tackled.
With under two minutes to go, a desperation heave from the quarterback found McDonald a step ahead of his man. With the ball slightly underthrown, he came back toward the ball and by the time he caught it at the 25 yard line, the defender was two yards away, the last stand between him and the goal line. McDonald dashed toward the right side of the end zone, and with the defender closing in, planted his foot and reversed directions with a cut that left the opponent chasing him from behind. As the gap closed, McDonald arced his hips away from the outstretched hand and in a sort of pirouette-dance run that enabled him to score an instant before his flag was stripped.
The amateur author who reads and writes about leadership principles had a cliche for the press.
"It's not whether you win or lose, but how I play the game," he beamed.
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