Jun 17 2008
Leaving His Shoes on the Mat
Wrestlers usually let their actions speak for themselves. They’re not likely to call press conferences, or release news to the media, or even make cases for themselves in matters such as wild card berths and seeding. For this reason, the way a wrestler signals his retirement is both powerful and befitting of the sport. At the Olympic Trials, several wrestlers sat down after their last match, untied their shoes, and walked off in their socks. Each time this was done, the crowd gave the wrestler a standing ovation, and tears welled up in my eyes. The wrestlers - Stephan Abas, Harry Lester, Jeff Funicello to name a few - usually just gave a humble wave and put their head down as they headed off the mat. The humility of this action, and the support of the wrestling community, are just two of the reasons why the wrestling family is so special.
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