By now you probably know that I attend A LOT of games beyond bowling. Baseball. Basketball. Football. 

This week, I took Madden and one of his friends to a Chicago Bulls game. Their school gave out free tickets so I jumped on the chance to take him and his friends for a night out.

I often talk in detail about games I attend when I’m personally invested in the outcome or the player. That is, if it was me or one of my kids. But I haven’t talked about the significance of spectating all of those other games. Bulls games. White Sox games. Bears games.

There is a difference between attending a game where you are invested in the win and one at which you are merely a spectator. But they’re both important experiences. Just, in different ways.

When you go to the game as a spectator, unless you are a superfan invested in the actual win, have you ever thought about what REALLY brings you to the game?

When you’re a spectator and not connected to the players or their wins, the moments of the game you remember are all related to energy. Your pre-game routine with family or friends. The cheering and enthusiasm during the game. The feeling of lifting up the players by being there to support them. The atmosphere. The over-priced food and the idea that none of that junk food has calories on game nights.

It is all of that energy around being at the game that draws you to the game.

It’s that energy that fills stadiums.

That energy is inspiring.

When I take Madden to a Chicago Bulls game, like I did earlier this week, we all leave those games energized. And even though basketball isn’t his top game (baseball is), Madden loves watching these games. His eyes are lit up when he talks about the game afterward, recounting the game’s highlights. (Also, shout out to ME for being the “cool mom” the other night looking up Ticketmaster seats that weren’t bought so that we could move closer than our free tickets allowed.)

Part of the game’s excitement comes from witnessing the athletes’ dedication. The tales we tell afterward are essentially filled with details confirming the intense physical and mental commitment displayed by those athletes. Like, that one Bulls game that DeMar DeRozan missed a ton of free throw shots, and then Madden read later that DeMar stayed after the game and shot an hour’s worth of free throws, alone. In an empty stadium.

That might be the greatest benefit of attending those pro games. Nurturing a champion mindset includes living in a way surrounded by individuals who embody champion-level dedication and commitment.

Just as training the body is essential to peak athletic performance, exposing ourselves to people operating at their peak helps our mind operate at its peak. One aspect of maintaining a champion mind requires being surrounded by an overall energy of commitment and discipline – and with others who share a level of passion and dedication for what they do. That energy helps fuel our own ambitions and inspires us towards greater heights. 

Maybe that’s the real reason I go out of my way to give my kids these pro-level athlete experiences. To help them see that those athletes they admire are just like them. And the difference between them growing up as an average athlete vs becoming an exceptional athlete is THE CHOICES. The showing up to practice early. The staying late. The not making excuses and just finding a way to “do better.”

It also really goes back to the idea that we are who we are around. And whatever that energy breeds more of that energy.

Basically, the balance of being a player and a spectator can contribute to our overall strength and ability to be successful – no matter the game or endeavor.

So, for our family, that means regularly watching Chicago Bulls, Bears, or White Sox players do their thing. It’s allowing Madden and Jersey the mindset to CHOOSE their path, and to give them the ability to DREAM. And to realize DREAMS don’t just happen. You have to put in the time. You have to commit.

Game day energy – and the dedication of those athletes – keeps us inspired as individuals, as a family, and as athletes.

This is also similar to why many of my team show up at my Elite Youth Tour events. Even though they are not competing themselves, EYT surrounds them with a circle of positive, committed individuals and teams. Being surrounded by this energy is empowering and inspiring.

Have you ever taken a moment to think about the games you attend? Tell me what inspires you!