Second chances

First time, shame on me; the second time, shame on you.

It’s a statement so many of us have heard in times past, leading some to believe that they can mess up once yet get another chance to redeem themselves.

In our society however, such could not be further from the truth. Single moments are opportunities and rarely are they given twice.

Positive thoughts about hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy above his head after kicking a 47-yard field goal through the uprights was likely the only thing on the mind of Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood in Super Bowl XXV nearly 20 years ago. Unfortunately for him, the way he envisioned things took a twist as the ball ended up to the right of the intended target.

A moment that lives in infamy for Bills fans across the country, the shame and feeling of guilt for not coming through in the clutch is a burden Norwood has shouldered since that late January day in 1991. As good as he was during his 7-year NFL career, making more than 72 percent of his field goal attempts (133 of 184), someone so reliable to his team is unjustly associated with failure.

At least he was able to get another opportunity to give his confidence a boost, shaking off past missteps and kicking the ball through the uprights. For a lot of others, one mistake can put you behind for years, some for life.

Marriage vows are an example of this, a verbal and written contract by two people dedicating themselves to that certain significant other for the rest of their lives. A relationship that sometimes took many years to build can crumble quickly however, and be put on display for the world to see.

But after catching their significant other with pie on their face, how many would be strong enough to stick with that person? There aren’t many who would.

A lot of people cannot stand Hillary Clinton, or in particular, her politics. But it took a lot for her to stick with her husband, former president Bill Clinton, after his muchpublicized troubles.

While painful, the two of them were able to put the past behind them and build for the future, one in which she has risen to one of the nation’s highest posts as Secretary of State.

In the Bible, we’re reminded that there is punishment for sin, but God is willing and just to forgive us of our missteps, casting them as far as the east is from the west. Why can’t we do the same?

I have always admired longtime Florida State Head Football Coach Bobby Bowden. Everyone likes a winner, but there is more to him than his accomplishments on the field.

Always willing to share his Christian values with his coaching staff and players, he has earned their respect by backing up his words with actions.

Ten years ago, Bowden was faced with a difficult choice after one of his best players, Peter Warrick, and a teammate allegedly purchased clothes valued at more than $400 for $21.40, a discount so large it is considered shoplifting in the state of Florida. The Seminoles were one of the top teams in the country that year, and Warrick in the upper echelon of players, being highly considered for the Heisman Trophy.

Most coaches would have done away with Warrick at that moment, deciding the student-athlete’s actions made him no longer worthy of a scholarship from the institution — a just punishment considering the alleged incident. Others may have done nothing, giving the player preferential treatment due to how much he meant to the team.

Though not popular at the time, Bowden maneuvered between both options, deciding to suspend Warrick two games and all but ending the talented athlete’s Heisman dreams. But it earned the coach the trust of his players, being looked at as a father-figure, feeling a sense of guilt if they were to disappoint him.

Florida State would wind up undefeated that season, claiming the national title in the 2000 Sugar Bowl. Warrick also played a part in the contest, accounting for 160 yards and three touchdowns en route to being named the game’s most valuable player.

For the both of them, I can almost bet it was sweet redemption after having their names dragged through the dirt months earlier.

I’m not saying that we should clean out the jails in the name of second chances. They are doing that behind bars, earning that opportunity through good behavior and morale.

But more stories like that of Warrick and Oregon running back Lagarrette Blount need to be told, letting children know that one mistake does not equate to failure.

Blount, who earlier this season was suspended by the university following a post-game fracas in which he punched a Boise State football player, was recently reinstated by head coach Chip Kelly.

The move allowed the senior running back to join teammates for the remaining games on their schedule, including the Ducks’ “Civil War” matchup with rival Oregon State.

Blount would score a touchdown in the contest, playing a vital role in helping the team win its conference and advance to the 2010 Rose Bowl.

More importantly however, he is getting the opportunity to restore his name.

I see it everyday, especially in this line of work, instances in which people’s missteps are aired out to a mass audience. Their intentions may have been innocent, but something along the way didn’t go as expected.

I can think of dozens of friends, family or acquaintances that wish certain moments of their life could be done differently. A perfect picture, it’s unlikely they would like the movie of their life to include times of embarrassment or hurt.

But if everything is so sunny and bright, when can we appreciate the rain that washes away grudges and missteps we incur along the way?

Mistakes can and will happen, and all of us fail at some point. It’s how we pick ourselves up from those errors in judgment that are a true measure of character.

All they want is another chance to prove themselves worthy of our trust; are you willing to let them do so?