I love this speech so much, because you can learn so much from it. The context behind it was immense. The pressure that was behind it was immense, but it was in this pressure, that one of the greatest speeches ever was given. It was given to 20 college men up in Lake Placid, New York, on February 22nd, 1980. It was given by a coach that had been the last guy cut from the 1960 Gold Medal team. It was given to a team that had just faced the Soviet team at MSG two weeks prior, and got blown out 10-3. It was given to a team that knew that the Soviets had won the Gold Medal in 1964, 1968, 1972, and 1976. It was given to a team that came back in every game during those Olympics. It was given before what is known amongst many, to be the greatest game ever televised in any sport, in American History.
Here is the full speech by Coach Brooks: "Great moments, are born from great opportunity. And that's have here tonight boys. That's what you have earned here, tonight. I mean the margin for error is so small, I mean one step too soon, or too late, and you don't quite make it. One game. If we played 'em ten times they'd probably win nine. But not this game. Not tonight. Tonight we skate with them. Tonight we stay with them, and we shut them down, because we can. Inch by Inch, play by play, until the finish. Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team, in the world! You were born to be hockey players. Every one of ya, and you were meant to be here tonight. This is your fight. Now I can't make you do it. You gotta look in the players eyes next to you, look into his eyes. Now I think that you will see a guy that will go that extra inch for you. You're going to see a guy that will sacrifice himself down for this team; because he knows that when it comes down to it, you will go and do the same for him! That's a team leads and gentlemen, that's what living is! This is your time. Their time is done, it's over. And I'm sick and tired of hearing of how good of a team the Soviets have. Screw 'Em! This is your time! Now go out there and take it!"
Now in the 2004 Disney movie Miracle, this speech is shortened a bit, but it still is extremely powerful. Again, I love this speech so much. I gave the full speech, without any papers in front of me, for my final grade ever in high school, for my ninth period speaking class. I also gave the shorten speech to my bowling team, before our big playoff victory last February. The part that I want to focus on the most is the, "This Is Your Time", part.
What this means is that this is year is yours. You have to go out there in the world and take it. Do what you want, and don't do what you don't want to do. Your life is what you make of it, so you have to make it right. Really what this is about is no one else is going to do your life for you. Again, YOU have to go out there and do it.
It might seem hard, but it really isn't. You just have to get rid of people that are holding you back, and you have to go out there and be the change that you want to see in the world. Look at what this speech did. It told a bunch of 18 and 19 year olds, that they could beat what was known as the time as the greatest hockey team ever assembled... and they did!
Was this piece of wisdom, something that you would like to follow? Had you ever heard this speech before? Is this something you would want to pass on to others?
DGS
Quotes of the Day: "Eleven seconds! You've got ten seconds! The countdown going on right now! Morrow, up to Silk! Five seconds left in the game! DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?! YES!" - Al Michaels on the call of the Miracle on Ice (February 22nd, 1980)
"The name on the front of the jersey, is a hell of a lot more important, than the one on the back!" - Coach Herb Brooks