The words of the great Vince Lombardi.  But the above quote from the hall of fame coach no doubt meant a lot more to Iowa MLB Mike Klinkenborg than anyone else last Saturday.  I’m not a huge quote guy, but Lombardi has a few that I really remember.  After hearing about Mike’s story and watching play in that game, I couldn’t think of a more perfect and eloquent way of putting what he did into words.  For those of who didn’t know, after being apart of one the best goal line stands this football fan has seen in a while last Saturday, Mike lost his father to a heart attack the following Sunday.  Mike paid his last respects to his dad and then, with encouragment from his family, he decided to honor him one more time in the best way he knew how.  Playing agianst Iowa State was what Myron, Mike’s father, would have wanted his son to do and it was one final gift from Mike to his dad. 

Eight tackles is not a gamebreaking performance, nor is it a poor one either.  But focusing on the statistics misses a much bigger point.  People should remember Mike Klinkenborg’s performance on Saturday for the courage it took and the emotion he played with.  He should be remembered not for a number he put up, but for the noble cause he played for and character he showed.  Well done Mike Klinkenborg.  Hawkeye Nation salutes you.