On Monday night, Ohio State and Notre Dame played for the college football national championship in Atlanta. Each team earned their way to the title game by winning three playoff games in the first 12-team playoff at the FBS level of college football.
But before they played in the National Championship, before the playoffs even began, both teams experienced the crushing weight of failure.
Notre Dame lost at home to Northern Illinois in September, a team they were favored to beat by 28 points. There was discussion among fans and commentators whether it would cost Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman his job.
Ohio State lost a close game on the road to #1 ranked Oregon in October and again in November at home to a Michigan team they were favored to beat by 20 points. The Michigan loss was so stunning that many people believed it was in Ohio State's best interest to fire Ryan Day before the playoffs started.
Both teams and coaches failed in devastating fashion. It hurt, but they did not let their failure destroy them. Instead, they chose to fight through the failure and use it to build themselves stronger.
After their loss to Northern Illinois, Notre Dame won 13 consecutive games to reach the title game. Ohio State dominated their next four opponents, including Notre Dame, to win the national championship on Monday night.
I don't think either team would have made it to the championship in Atlanta without the failure they experienced during their seasons. Champions are not those who never fail but those who fight their way through failure on their way to success.
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