The debate has been going on for centuries. Who wins: Talent or Hard Work?
In the late 80s, the question would finally be answered. At the time, Florida had two nationally known running backs. One was Talent—a tall, chiseled, 200LB running back from Apopka High School named Sammie Smith. Sammie was an All-American, bound for Florida State [and later, the NFL], who made running look easy. Many in the country thought he was the most talented running back the world has ever seen.
The other was Hard Work— a short, stocky running back, two years younger than Sammie, named Emmitt Smith. Emmitt had already run for 2,000+ yards his sophomore season, becoming a Pensacola legend. Determination and grit defined Emmitt, who was undersized, always doubted, but never last.
Because of the High School Football classifications in Florida, these two running backs would never face each other in a game. The Talent of Sammie vs. the Hard Work of Emmitt became a growing debate, with old and young men alike picking sides: Team Talent vs. Team Hard Work. People wanted to know who was the greatest in the state of Florida.
But then, one day, it happened. Not on the field, but on the track. Sammie and Emmitt, both high school track stars, would square off in the State Finals of the 100M Dash. Floridians were on the edge of their seat. A centuries-old debate would be settled: Talent vs Hard Work, who wins?
The day of the race was electric as the low rumble of anticipation and excitement rolled through the stadium. This is what everyone had been waiting for. Talent or Hard Work? In less than 14 seconds, the centuries-old debate would be answered.
As the runners settled into their blocks, a silence filled the air. You could almost hear the one last deep breath from the athletes [and everyone in the stands]...
The starting gun fired, and so did the runners.
Sammie looked like a Greek God at the first Olympiad. A clean start, smooth, like a 200LB gazelle, you did not know if you were watching a track meet or a symphony.
Emmitt was less graceful, less lightning, more thunder, like a bowling ball hunting for a strike. He ran as if the track had just insulted his mother.
Both runners were captivating as the race could not, would not disappoint.
Talent was first out of the blocks, but Hard Work was relentless, on his hip the whole way. With ten meters left Talent and Hard Work were neck and neck. Everyone in the stadium had risen to their feet, cheering, waiting, wanting the debate to be settled once and for all.
But then the unthinkable happened. With just a few meters to go, like an inappropriately timed joke, some skinny, unknown, big-eared kid from Fort Myers passes Sammie and Emmitt out of nowhere.
The crowd was stunned. The race was over.
Talent and Hard Work looked at each other in disbelief.
The stadium grew eerily quiet as the announcer came over the PA system and said, "The winner of the 100M dash and State Champion is… Deion Sanders"
It turns out the one thing that beats Talent and Hard Work is Toughness.
Love or hate Deion Sanders, you have to respect him. And, I think the world [and current generation of men] could use a little more mental toughness.
Sanders wrote a LETTER to his seven-year-old self a few years back. It's really spectacular. If nothing else, he has always been Prime—he has always been faithful to himself.
A little confidence goes a long way,
— Harp
In a letter to his seven-year-old self…
First of all, don't get it misconstrued … you will arrive at Florida State as Prime Time. Mama will work her butt off to make car payments so that you can roll up in a brand new '85 Firebird with Prime Time on the front plate. Some of the seniors on the football team will make a big deal about it, like, Who does this cat think he is? They'll think you're all talk — all hat and no cattle.
But you'll back it up 100%.
You'll start your freshman year. And during your sophomore year, you'll take Prime Time to a whole new level — because you'll have to. You'll be looking ahead to the NFL, and you'll see that there isn't a single million-dollar defensive back in the league. In fact, cornerback is one of the worst-paid positions.
That's not gonna work for you, partner. You promised Mama that you would make enough money so that she would never have to work another day. You need to maximize everything.
So you'll go back to your dormitory and sit down with a little black book, and just start writing lines.
I'm the best thing since peanut butter and jelly.
Water covers two-thirds of the earth. I cover the rest.
You throw it my way, next thing you'll hear is the band playing.
You'll fill that book with one-liners and you'll rehearse them in the bathroom mirror until you have them perfected. Until you know them by heart. Until you become them.