  With all of the discussion regarding President Reagan over the past week, all the stories surrounding the Lightning's Stanley Cup win, the NBA Finals, and the increasing coverage of the upcoming Olympics, I've been thinking a lot about heroes and champions. I've been inspired as I've watched these athletes persevere under incredible physical and emotional pain to emerge as Champions. I've gathered a few of my thoughts from the stories of the Stanley Cup Champions to put together a profile of the heart of a champion. Champions persist despite the odds Many people believed that hockey didn't belong in Florida twelve years ago when the Lightning were founded. Florida?? The sunshine state??
No way. Hockey is for Canada, Detroit, and Pittsburgh. Tampa won't be a hockey town! The team first played in a barn at the Florida State Fairgrounds, and then later on a slushy rink at a baseball field. The franchise nearly went under with various ownership, management, and coaching changes, including one manager who made over 70 player changes in one year. Just four years ago, the Lightning were at the bottom of the division that was the bottom of all divisions.
You couldn't get any lower. Yet the powers of hockey continued to believe the Lightning could one day succeed. Bill Davis, the owner of the Pistons had enough faith and bought the team. A new manager full of fire and life was brought in, and a new coach began to breathe life back into these weary players. The team recruited Dave Andreychuk and with the urging of his wife he landed in Tampa. Andreychuk was the veteran the team needed.
Twenty-two years into his NHL career, he still had not kissed a Stanley Cup. Naysayers were constantly giving him grief, reminding him of his age and that he might not ever see that Cup. Still, he and the Bolts persisted. Dave brought a father figure to the team and the leadership they so desperately needed. Five games into the finals, things still didn't look good. The Bolts were down 3-2, and only 5 teams in 60 years had ever come back to fin the final two games when down 3-2.
Champions never believe the odds or the statistics, and continue to pursue what they know in their heart they are called to do. Champions lean into the pain Personal pain? Forget it. Champions press on. During Game 2 of the finals, Dan Boyle's house burned down, leaving over $300,000 in damage. He continued to play every game, borrowing a teammates clothes.
Doctors commented how they could barely get the final stitch into the players' heads during game time injuries before they were on their feet ready to get back into the game. The NHL employs the longest season of all the professional sports, and it is also one of the most physical games. The players were bruised, stitched, and beat up, yet they continued to play day after day over 100 games with rarely 2 days in between games. Champions ignore the pain, lean into it, and continue to play. The prize is worth so much more than the pain. Champions always believe From day one of this season, they claimed that "safe is death" and played all year for the championship.
After losing game 5 at home, and now in that horrible position of being down 3-2 they told the arena administrative and janitorial staff on the way out the door "we'll see you here Monday for game 7. " They continued to speak the next step, "we'll have a victory breakfast tomorrow," claiming each next step they needed to win. Champions continue to believe and proclaim that belief through their speech. Champions know who they are playing for. The team manager commented on what a privilege it was to work with a group of athletes who were playing for the name on the front of the jersey, not the name on the back of the jersey. Champions don't pursue individual egos and glory, they are unified in playing for the greater cause of their team and mission.
We are part of a worldwide, eternal championship team that has been guaranteed the victory! Let's not get down by the negativity we are surrounded by and remember that we can already proclaim the championship, no matter what the the odds may be in our lives. Lean into the pain remembering that it is just for a season; concentrate on the victory that lies ahead. Continue to believe, and proclaim those victory promises God has spoken. And most of all, always remember that you aren't playing for the glory of your own name on the back of the jersey. 
