It Is What It Is

It's not the best of times, it's not the worst of times. It is what it is.

Needless to say, the last few days haven't been fun, as we try to keep our heads above water in the wake of Mack Brown's fourth blowout loss to OU.

Of course it's depressing. Saturday's game against Baylor is for a berth in the Texas Bowl, after all. But while we tend to be attracted to negative thinking like Texas defenders are to blockers, at some point we have to let it go and look on the bright side -- look forward to the inevitable better days ahead.

Right, Mack?

"It is what it is."

Yeah!!! I swear, I don't know how you come up with this stuff, Mack, but I'm ready to fight a Baptist.

And you know what? While we're all still fired up, maybe the best thing we could do right now would be to take Mack's cue and share some of our other favorite inspirational quotes from great leaders throughout history. Whether from the world of sports or the world of politics, it's hard for me to imagine anyone in Burnt Orange Nation who won't be ready to tear down the locker room door and charge full steam ahead after this.

If after reading mine you're not charging through that locker room door, pass on the excitement and share some of your own favorite quotes that inspire you to greatness.

FDR addressing Congress one day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor:

"Yesterday, December 7, 1941: it is what it is."

President Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address in November 1863:

Patrick Henry addresses the Second Virginia Convention in March 1775:

"I prefer liberty, but if not, it is what it is."

Neil Armstrong taking the first steps on the moon in July 1969:

Knute Rockne addresses the Notre Dame football team at halftime of the 1928 Army game after the death of George "The Gipper" Gipp:

"And the last thing he said to me -- 'Rock,' he said - 'sometime, when the team is up against it -- and the breaks are beating the boys -- tell them it is what it is.'"

President Reagan visits Berlin in July 1987:

Coach Dale addresses his squad before the state championship game in Hoosiers:

"Forget about the crowds, the size of the school, their fancy uniforms, and remember what got you here. Focus on the fundamentals that we've gone over time and time again. And most important, don't get caught up thinking about winning or losing this game. If you put your effort and concentration into playing to your potential, to be the best that you can be, I don't care what the scoreboard says at the end of the game. It is what it is."

President Kennedy's Inaugural Address in January 1961:

Vince Lombardi addressing his Green Bay Packers (on multiple occasions):

"Winning isn't everything... it is what it is."

Now let's go beat Baylor for the first time this decade!