1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Herb Brooks: The Inside Story of a Hockey Mastermind
Over the past three years I’ve watched the movie Miracle no less than 10 times. I’m mesmerized by the leadership style of Herb Brooks and the tactics he used to lead the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team to a Gold Medal. The story told in the movie, while mostly true, is a familiar one – the David vs. Goliath tale. USA Hockey needed a white knight and Herb Brooks, with his unorthodox approach to the game (by US standards), came out of rank and file to slay the giant.
Seeing the movie so many times, it made me want to go back and watch the game footage and subsequent hysteria. There was a big disparity between reality and the movie. Seeing how much the movie glorified the play and the characters, it made me want to examine Herb Brooks life more. The movie gave me a snap shot of his life with some background for context, but it left me wondering about Herb Brooks the man, and how others saw this unparalleled event. For reference on how the movie put it’s best face forward, compare the actor that played Jack O’Callahan (Michael Mantenuto) to the real Jack O’Callahan – now that is face only a mother could love.
While reading Herb Brooks biography it was clear to me that he was a genius in his field. An absolute genius. His understanding of the game, the players, the movements, coupled with his ability to motivate his team put him in rare air. Bill Walsh, Phil Jackson, and Vince Lombardi are the only coaches that come to mind that caused a pivot in their sport. The game of hockey is different because of Herb Brooks and his longevity and accomplishments at both the U and in USA Amateur Hockey display his greatness.
What I found most interesting about Herb Brooks in the biography though was who he wasn’t and what he didn’t accomplish.
Looking at Herb’s life through a few different lenses (marriage, family, personal, community, and vocation) it’s clear that we need to be cautious who we aspire to be like and why. The prices paid for the glory in Hockey may not have been worth it.
Marriage: Herb and Patti were married their entire adult lives. There is no indication either had extramarital affairs. No indication of abuse. No indication of anything bad quite honestly. What I do see though is a very absent husband. Not one that works hard to provide for his family, but a husband that pursues his dreams and drags the marriage along. Patti is a very dutiful wife, very old school, and appears independent. She also appeared in the book like a woman that would’ve rather of had her husband home with her for holidays, special occasions, and key moments in life. Herb provided very little of those moments.
Family: Similar story here. No indication Herb was ever a bad father to his two children. By all indications they’ve grown up to be fine citizens. What I do see is a father who missed many of the key moments in his kids lives as he pursued his dream.
Personal: The biography of Herb showed him as a very one dimensional man. He enjoyed gardening and a few other activities, but hockey was always on his brain. This is part of what made him great, this immense ability to focus, but it’s also what lead to the majority of pain in his life.
Community: This is one area Brooks clearly excelled in. The fame of winning 3 National Championships at the U and the 1980 Gold Medal allowed Herb access to anything he desired. He was loyal to family and friends, always willing to battle someone that spoke ill. And Herb in his own way loved people. He loved to teach people, challenge people to be their very best, and hockey provided him that venue.
Vocation: At the U Herb was King. In USA Amateur Hockey allowed him to become a rock star – bigger than life. One might look at Herb and say “wow, he didn’t let the fame go to his head,” but as I read about the years that followed the miracle of 1980, it’s clear that success spoiled Herb. He became belligerent and almost paranoid; very high maintenance. He had multiple coaching opportunities in the NHL post Miracle, but in each case he was unceremoniously let go because he could not reproduce the magic. Life is easy when you’re winning championships. Quirks aren’t as annoying. But the further Herb got away from 1980, the more it seemed like quirks that made him great were also the quirks that kept people and opportunities away.
As I think about my life, the struggles I’m enduring as I pursue greatness, I often measure myself against the Hollywood, retouched versions of reality. As I reflect on a whole life of Herb Brooks there are aspects I aspire to be like him in, but there are things I need to shy away from. Not because Herb was wrong, but because it’s not great for me or my family.
All in all, pick up this book. You’ll enjoy the personal stories. You’ll enjoy seeing Miracle from a different perspective. And you’ll find a sliver of gratefulness for the life the Lord has given you.
Herb’s most famous speech given by Kurt Russell
