The 'Left Tackles' in our Lives

Blindside (v.) - to tackle, hit, or attack (an opponent) from the blind side.

I just finished reading The Blind Side by Michael Lewis; the film was released last Friday.

Here's a synopsis from the backcover:

When we first meet him, Michael Oher is one of thirteen children by a mother addicted to crack; he doesn't know his real name, his father, his birthday or how to read and write.  He takes up football, and school, after a rich, white, Evangelical family plucks him from the streets.  Then two great forces alter Oher:  the family's love and the evolution of football into a game where the quarterback must be protected at any cost.  Our protagonist becomes the priceless package of size, speed, and agility necessary to guard the quarterback's greatest vulnerability, his blind side.

Here's what's interesting. 

The left tackle, the player guarding the quarterback's blind side, goes largely unnoticed by the general public because the camera follows the ball.  It's in the quarterback's hands.  He hands it off to a running back, or throws it to a receiver.  The camera follows them into the end zone.  Touchdown.  These are the players that the media tells us are important.  I don't follow football, but I can name quarterbacks and receivers (Tom Brady, Chad Ocho Cinco, LaDanian Tomlinson).  Left tackle?  Nary a one.  I didn't even know the position existed until I read this book. 

 

Yet, if the left tackle does his job, the quarterback not only avoids being sacked by linebackers like Lawrence Taylor whose "instinct is to find the quarterback and kill him", he remains injury-free, and he has the time needed to throw touchdown-producing, headline-grabbing passes.

Which is why the camera may not follow the left tackle, but the team owners do -- and have the big, fat canceled checks to prove it.  According to Lewis, "In 2004, the average NFL left tackle salary was $5.5 million a year, and the left tackle had become the second highest paid position on the field after the quarterback."

We all have a blind side.

Because it's blind, we can't see the people who are guarding against attacks from our opponents.

Which means -- of all the people that we need to be grateful for, it's 'left tackles in our lives' we're mostly likely to overlook.  Like my husband.  And a few dear friends.

Who are your 'left tackles"?
Are you like the media who follows the ball, blind to these key players?
Or do you have an owner-like view of their value?

Either way, will you tell these individuals thank you very soon?

In fact, why not today?

P.S.  I don't play football.  If you do, and I'm getting this wrong, or there are nuances I've missed, do share.

Comments

[Matt Langdon]

You've got the position description exactly right.

It's hard to say who your left tackles are because they're doing the job when you're not watching. I think it's the people who are defending you in conversations that you're not involved in, promoting you in circles you don't exist in, or reading your blog every day without commenting.

Every now and then you get a glimpse into what they're doing for you, just like the quarterback does during post-game analysis. That's when you know.

[Whitney]

Great points Matt. Which makes their 'left tackling' that much more meaningful. In contrast to the football field their defending or promoting or supporting is done without expectation of remuneration.

[Julia]

Having just watched 2 of my boys finish their football seasons I am thrilled by your post. Especially since one son is a tackle. All the positions matter - some are just more noticeable. Just like people.

Can't wait to see the movie.

[Bonnie White]

I liked what Matt had to say about our left tackles "promoting us in circles we don't exist in". My boys have a saying about "having your back". I don't always see or glimpse what my "tackles" are doing for me but I trust that they are all the same.

[Stephanie]

Saw the movie and am on the waiting list for the book at our library. LOVED the movie. It was powerful on so many levels. I'm looking forward to the book!

Matt, I love your comment: " I think it's the people who are defending you in conversations that you're not involved in, promoting you in circles you don't exist in, or reading your blog every day without commenting." You summed it up so very well! Excellent thoughts.

[Mercedes]

My sister in law dragged me to an advanced preview of this film. i wasn't expecting much, but was pleasantly surprised on several levels. Matt really hit the nail on head with his comment. The people who protect my blind side are the people who have my back, the people who are in my corner, the people who won't let me get sacked. Thank you Whitney for reminding us to think about who is protecting our blind side.

[Whitney Johnson]

I agree with all of you.

I'm wondering too if our blind side is also protected when those who care about us speak as President Reagan did to Mr. Gorbachev?

Just last week, I had a dear friend show me something about myself that I was blind to? I didn't really want to see it, but she said it with such kindness, that I was willing to look.

[Lisle]

Suddenly, I find myself wondering whom I serve as tackle for...and am I doing my job well enough?

[Whitney Johnson]

We are most definitely 'left tackles' for our children as they learn to quarterback their lives. Who else?

[Maria Carr]

I like the twist Lisle mentions, who are we left tackles for? That might be easier than figuring out who is protecting us.

[Janika]

I have definitely played Left Tackle at church this past year wrangling anywhere from five to eight 3 year-olds (the majority VERY energetic boys--my son included!) for two hours each Sunday. I come home exhausted, yet knowing that if it weren't for my tackles on the front row, the primary chorister and presidency surely would have been sacked by now!

[Janika]

Oh, and I must see this movie! I didn't realize it came from a book--must read that too! Thanks for the reminder.