There are few things I am sure of in this life, but this one I know both from anecdotes and experience. The only thing George Steinbrenner loved as much as his Yankees was the U.S. Olympic team, and his support for the (now) USOPC; its stories, its athletes, and coaches were unwavering, and continues with the Steinbrenner family today.
It was with that knowledge that I took some time to attend a special event at a new organization designed to help former athletes from all walks of life grow as businesspeople and individuals.
It's known as "The Post," and was co-founded by former NFL quarterback Christian Ponder and longtime sports business executive Jason LaRose.
A screening of George Clooney’s new film, "The Boys In The Boat," recently took place.
It's the rags to riches story of the 1936 Olympic rowing team from the University of Washington that took the gold away from Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany.
I wasn’t sure what to expect that night, but I came away inspired and impressed.
First, regarding the gathering before the film. It was amazing to see a space in Soho (in New York City) filled with over 100 former college athletes, now in varied careers . . . from college rowers and volleyball players to lacrosse players and footballers.
All were gathered to discuss a topic that, again, Mr. Steinbrenner loved: the success of the underdog. The discussion was led by two amazingly accomplished women who had just lived the rise from the ashes experience.
Mary Wittenberg and Yael Averbuch who had just led Gotham FC (Mary leading the business side, Yael as head of soccer) on a worst to first run to win the NWSL (National Women's Soccer League championship.
Their accounts of teaching young people, building consensus, listening, learning, and then being able to take advantage of moments of opportunity when they arose, really resounded with the people in the room. These accounts provided lessons well beyond soccer.
I'm sure everyone took away the experience with them as they travelled just a few blocks down Broadway to see the film. It was an impressive prelude to a great evening.
Then on to the film.
Suffice it to say the talk provided the perfect appetizer for what we later saw. The movie.
The film is based on the best seller by Daniel James Brown. It mirrors what the two NWSL leaders had to say: teamwork literally makes dream work.
For those who loved stories of the underdog, tied to sport and life lessons, you should run . . . or row . . . to see this film.
It's for rowing what "Rudy" was for college football, "Hoosiers" was for basketball, "Chariots of Fire" was for running, even a bit of what "Miracle" was for hockey.
It’s main theme we heard over and over again, "eight as one" (meaning that they could not succeed unless all eight in the boat were literally rowing in the same direction).
This is an example of a life lesson about teamwork.
It's about going above and beyond; that we all need to be reminded of this constantly — in a world that is mostly "all about me."
Director Clooney, who I have been lucky enough to spend some time with on the basketball court with some Yankees — back in the day — captures the excitement of sport with the nuances of history that really makes you lean forward in your seat, while viewing the film in the theater.
The cinematography and the attention to detail are amazing.
You leave the theater wanting more.
That is what a great storytelling film is supposed to do, from start to finish.
Perhaps some will take the viewpoint that all this amounts to is homage to a bygone era of sport, especially the Olympic world where the focus, as of late, seems to be on corporate versus athletic success.
"Humbug," Scrooge liked to chime, in Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."
"Boat" serves as a reminder of what is at the core of success in business, in life, and in sports. We all need to work together to achieve the amazing. It’s what Gotham FC did on the soccer pitch just a few weeks ago, it’s what these amazing Olympians did in 1936, it’s what the New York Yankees always aspire to do, and — it’s what Mr. Steinbrenner always loved, and its why his organization, and the Olympics, were two of his great loves.
"The Boys In The Boat" is a winner, and it certainly is a movie our beloved Yankees owner would have enjoyed. Mr. Steinbrenner’s favorite film (as is mine) was "Pride of the Yankees," because of its heart and soul, and its star Gary Cooper masterfully portraying Lou Gehrig.
I’d say as a director, George Clooney does the same thing here. "The Boss" would have left the theater inspired, just like we all were on a recent cold December 2023 night.
Be sure to put it on your "must see" list when it comes out Christmas Day.
Ray Negron is a sports executive with over 40 years of experience in baseball. His first job came from a chance encounter with George Steinbrenner as a youth. Mr. Negron is an American film producer, a best-selling author, and philanthropist. His memoir is entitled, "Yankee Miracles: Life with the Boss and the Bronx Bombers." Read Ray Negron's Reports — More Here.
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