Excellence Without Fanfare

The Green Bay Packers are the best team in the National Football League. There I said it. As a Baltimore Ravens fan, I can admit that the Packers are a better team. The Packers are the defending Superbowl champions and as the only undefeated team in the last two years, it looks like they're gearing up to be the dynasty of this decade. The Packers are playing good, consistent football on both sides of the ball. They do not beat themselves and they play like every game is their first. They play like they have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Green Bay has been flying under the radar this season. Although they are ranked #1 across the board, Green Bay doesn't have a bandwagon, they're not flagged as the team to win back to back Super Bowls, Aaron Rodgers is not put in the elite category of Manning and Brady, no one spends hours raving about this team. While their wins are acknowledged, the team is largely ignored. Last year, Green Bay was the team that no one cared about. No one pegged them to go to the Super Bowl, no one talked about how good Aaron Rodgers were. Everyone had their favorites, the usual, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and the new team to beat, the Philadelphia Eagles. The Packers didn't pout and ask,"why not us?" They didn't look for validation. They didn't beg for attention or wonder why they aren't considered "elite," they decided to show people the best way they know how, they showed America they are elite, they showed America they have the elite quarterback.

Although it's week 14, and the Packers are still undefeated, they don't have a bandwagon. The commentators aren't talking about back to back Super Bowls, no one talks about the Packers, but they're still excellent and no one can take that away from them. They're excellent every week and unless a major set back occurs, they may be the first back Super Bowl team since the Patriots.

I've said all that to say that we should all strive for excellence, even without the fanfare. We should strive to do our best, even when no one cares. Oprah said in her Master Class special, "always do your best because when you do your best, people notice." They may say anything to you but they can't deny that your work is of quality and that's important.