On Monday, January 10th the University of Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 33 – 18 to win the NCAA football championship. The game’s most iconic moment was Bulldogs quarterback Stetson Bennett IV’s emotional reaction to the victory.
The following is a video of this moment followed by the inspirational leadership lessons we can take from the team’s on-field leader:
STETSON. BENNETT. THE FOURTH.
ANSWERED ALL THE DOUBTERS 🗣
— 247Sports (@247Sports) January 11, 2022
The Power Of Vision
You know a vision for your life or organization is real when you don’t have the vision, but the vision has you. Bennett’s father often tells the story of his 3-year old son saying he wanted to grow up and play quarterback at the University of Georgia. It was this clear and compelling vision that has carried Bennett thus far.
I wonder what happens to be next in his life?
Do you have a vision for your life or organization or does a vision have you? If not, ask God to give you one.
Great Talent Often Goes Unrecognized
If you feel invisible to those around you and that your contributions are being overlooked and don’t matter, Stetson Bennett IV should be an inspiration.
Bennett led Pierce County High School in Blackshear, GA to three consecutive state playoff appearances. In his senior year alone, he threw threw for 3,724 yards, ran for approximately 500 yards, and scored 40 total touchdowns. Yet, the two-star prospect did not receive a single scholarship offer from a SEC school.
The Power Of Passion
However, Bennett still had a burning desire to play quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs. Playing for the Dogs was something he had to do and he would do everything within his power to make that dream become reality. He walked on to the team as a non-scholarship player in 2017.
The Power Of Persistence
Buried on the team’s depth chart, Bennett left after one year to play for the Jones College Bobcats, a junior college in Ellisville, MS. While there, led the team to a 10-2 record, the MACJC Championship game and a Mississippi Bowl win over Eastern Arizona. Bennett passed for 1,840 yards (12th, NJCAA) and 16 touchdowns.
Great Talent Is Often Undervalued
Even after a successful junior college season, Bennett was still rated a two-star prospect according to 247Sports. The following was his recruiting profile written by Charles Power, “Shorter quarterback who is listed under 6-feet. Has a naturally thin frame and has added some weight over the last few years and is likely maxed out in terms of manageable bulk… Lacks stature and has average arm strength. Was not super productive in junior college with a high interception rate and low yards per attempt. Projects as a backup quarterback who will provide depth at the Power 5 level.”
That doesn’t sound like the recruiting profile of a quarterback who could lead a team to the national championship does it? Perhaps people are undervaluing you as well.
The Power Of Preparation
Bennett returned to the Dogs as a scholarship player in 2019. The following season, he was ranked third on the team’s depth chart but kept working hard for when and if his chance to play ever came.
Unexpectedly, the projected starter opted out and the backup struggled. Because of his preparation, Bennett was ready when he finally got his chance to play. He started half the team’s games.
The Power Of Resilience
As the 2021 season approached, adversity continued to remain a constant companion. Transfer JT Daniels appeared to be the fans’, media’s, and coaches’ favorite heading into the season. Bennett only received 20 reps in the spring and fall practices combined. He considered transferring but chose to keep working hard and wait for his opportunity.
Opportunity finally presented itself and this time Bennett seized it. Once he got into the lineup full-time, head coach Kirby Smart simply could not take him out. Throughout the season, Bennett never wavered in his confidence though often doubted by his coach, the staff, and UGA fanbase. He just kept working hard, kept believing. The team kept winning. And the result is a national championship.
Conclusion
Too many people quit. In fact, we have institutionalized quitting as a society and sometimes even celebrate it as “bravery”. Regardless of the many obstacles and doubters Stetson Bennet IV faced, he never quit.
And you shouldn’t either.
Because of Bennett’s vision, talent, passion, resilience, hard work, and confidence, he finally got a chance to live out his boyhood dream. If you possess the same qualities, you have a chance to live out your dream as well.
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