The Back-up Plan
This Pass Sunday during week 13 of NFL action, I witness an uncommon moment. It was a act of genuine gratitude displayed by Pittsburgh's QB Charlie Batch and teammate Ben Roethlisberger. During the age of the ''Big Superstar'' high salaries,and individual effort its becoming rare to see compassion and support displayed on a professional level. Big Ben, a future Hall of Famer
was sideline by a shoulder and rib injury suffered against Kansas City. Head coach Mike Tomlin had no other choice but to rely on back up QB and mentor (some who say NFL under achiever) Charlie Batch against conference foe Baltimore Ravens. Batch who spend most of his NFL days as Pittsburgh's resident 3rd string clip broad holder quickly moved up depth chart after a
Leftwich injury from a prior Steelers loss. Under enormous pressure from the media, openly criticize by ESPN NFL analyst Chris Carter,and with the possibly of damaging his team playoff ramifications , Batch was out to prove the critics wrong.Fresh off his 38th birthday(one of the oldest players in the league) rose to the occasion by leading Pittsburgh to a much needed win to keep them in the playoff hunt. Batch finish the day by going 25 for 36 with 276 yards passing and was visibly overwhelm by the moment , that teammate Big Ben gave him proud hug. It was a moment that shows support for your teammate and strengthens the concept of team as family. It's the stuff leadership and good teams are made of.This is a concept that I hope transcends to youth sports everywhere . It's the winning formula for a teams success .
B45
