Registered fishermen still waiting by the phone for BP
June 22, 2010
Helen LeBoeuf
June 24, 2010Finish Strong.
These words were echoed all throughout the New Orleans Saints’ Super Bowl season.
At the time of its arrival in the New Orleans area, it was a moniker symbolizing a strong fourth quarter finish from the Black and Gold. But it has since become a Louisiana motto – a way of life for Louisianans who are still battling with the after effects of one natural disaster, while dealing with a new one.
The man to create the philosophy is acclaimed author Dan Green, who penned a motivational book in 2008 titled “Finish Strong.” The book motivated the Saints all season, because the team took Green’s moniker and used it to define their season.
The author gave some of his thoughts and inspirations for the book’s publication on Thursday at SCIA’s annual Awards Banquet at the Cyprus Columns in Houma.
He said the most inspiring thing about the book is the unbelievable impact he has made on the lives of some people – especially in Louisiana.
“The thing that has really changed my life is the impact it’s had on the folks in this area,” Green said. “I had no idea that people would respond to the Finish Strong message like they have. That was such an inspiring thing for me – to see people telling me stories about how they were going to keep finishing strong.”
Green is not a motivational speaker by trade, touting himself as “just a regular guy.”
He said the two words making up the title of the lifestyle are the most powerful pair of consecutive words in the history of motivational philosophies.
“To me, these two words, finish strong, more clearly defines my desire, what I try to achieve in my life, in sport and in business,” he said. “I’ve never found anything else … not ‘finish good,’ ‘finish well,’ not ‘finish great,’ ‘press on,’ ‘move on,’ ‘drive on,’ or ‘just do it.’ … Nothing says it as strongly as finish strong … That is what helps make this message more powerful.”
Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees was the person to get the Finish Strong ball rolling along the Fluer De Lis’ first-ever championship push.
During the 2009 offseason, Brees purchased the more than 100-page book for each member of the team and coaching staff.
It then took off from there, and the team plastered the catch phrase across the chests of T-shirts that can now be found in pretty much any Saints merchandise shop across the state.
“They acted upon it and took it into something much bigger,” Green said.
The author showed his comedic side and shared story about Brees’ original involvement in the process – even a multi-million dollar athlete looks for a bargain at times.
“Our published prices are listed on the web, where you can buy our books, are 25 books, and 101 books,” Green said. “But he only wanted 96 books. So he called and wanted a deal … I didn’t know him that well at the time, but I was thinking, ‘Here’s this multi-million dollar athlete calling me up and wanting a deal trying to save a couple bucks on a book.’ So I gave him a deal.”
Green said since the book’s publication, he and Brees have become casual friends, and he “greatly admires” what he has done in his career both on and off the field.
“He’s so much far away from that [lifestyle] and is so much like you or I,” the author said. “He did what you and I would have done – he looked for a deal. That’s a great testament to Drew’s character.”
Green’s speech came at the right time for the Tri-parish area. Speaking in front of business owners – many of whom are heavily involved in the oil and gas industries – he urged our area to make like their gridiron heroes and persevere in our time of crisis.
“I have a lot of fondness and a lot of empathy for what is going on right now,” Green said. “All I can say is we’ve got to do what we’ve got to do.”
But even the author warns that just saying the words aren’t enough – it will take a lot of hard work and character to reach the top, not just in this time of crisis – but in life.
“I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m not saying that if you strap on a little bracelet, gold will start falling from the sky,” he said. “Because that’s not what happens. Attitude without action is worthless. You have to put action behind it.”
