Overcoming great odds in rugby certainly can be similar to overcoming the odds against the Oakland Raiders.
Clint Eastwood's 2009 movie, Invictus, is centered around the achievements of Nelson Mandela, the man who survived about 27 years of imprisonment and stepped up to become the President of South Africa.
Inspiration is the theme of the movie. Inspiration is also the theme of most articles about the potential of the Raiders in 2010.
If some of us had a chance to speak to the Raiders, we would probably sit them down, set up a DVD player, and show them Invictus. They would see the outcome of focus, unity, a great call beyond just football, and the possibilities that come forth from a changed attitude.
Next, we would have a Facenda-type voice to recite the poem, Invictus. At the end of the poem, each and every member of the Raiders' franchise would be required to say, "I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul."
What is needed is the power of practice, focus, having a cause greater than yourself, and seeing yourself as a person who has a great deal of decision-making control to improve the outc...
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