Tom Osborne's Next Chapter
Tom Osborne will be starting the next chapter of his life after the recent primary election in which he lost the nomination for Governor. Only Tom and wife Nancy know just what that will be.
It's quite surprising to me that Tom Osborne could actually have lost any election in Nebraska. After all, living legends are far and few between. There is no current person alive in Nebraska with his name recognition or favorable glow from a long successful football career in a football-obsessed state. Probably only Bob Devaney has equaled that stature over the last 40 years. Times clearly are changing and politics are NOT football.
Tom Osborne did in politics just as he did in football - he operated by his conscience and never did something just because it was the popular thing to do. That's probably a fatal flaw over the long run if you want to be a politician and was his undoing. Politics is a game requiring the politician to bend with which ever way the wind is blowing at the time. Although I never agreed with some of Tom Osborne's views (e.g., his stand against casinos in Nebraska), I will always admire him for following his convictions and not compromising his values just to do the popular thing. People like that, whether you agree with them or not, are very rare these days. We saw Tom Osborne do that in support of his football players and we saw him do it in his brief political career.
Osborne paid the price for standing up for his principles. He took national criticism from the press and numerous critics when it would have been far easier to dismiss troubled players. Nationally prominent coaches today are ready to dump troubled players and move on to the next recruit because it's far easier than taking the public heat. In his political campaigns, Osborne refused contributions from influence groups. He paid the price there too by having to put his own money in the campaign. Note: He just sold his house in Western Nebraska to help pay off debt from the failed political campaign.
Whatever Tom Osborne decides will be the next chapter in his life, he will always be a Nebraska legend and a Nebraska hero (even though he detests that sort of publicity). You always have to admire a man of his convictions.
Go Big Red,
RedCap
It's quite surprising to me that Tom Osborne could actually have lost any election in Nebraska. After all, living legends are far and few between. There is no current person alive in Nebraska with his name recognition or favorable glow from a long successful football career in a football-obsessed state. Probably only Bob Devaney has equaled that stature over the last 40 years. Times clearly are changing and politics are NOT football.
Tom Osborne did in politics just as he did in football - he operated by his conscience and never did something just because it was the popular thing to do. That's probably a fatal flaw over the long run if you want to be a politician and was his undoing. Politics is a game requiring the politician to bend with which ever way the wind is blowing at the time. Although I never agreed with some of Tom Osborne's views (e.g., his stand against casinos in Nebraska), I will always admire him for following his convictions and not compromising his values just to do the popular thing. People like that, whether you agree with them or not, are very rare these days. We saw Tom Osborne do that in support of his football players and we saw him do it in his brief political career.
Osborne paid the price for standing up for his principles. He took national criticism from the press and numerous critics when it would have been far easier to dismiss troubled players. Nationally prominent coaches today are ready to dump troubled players and move on to the next recruit because it's far easier than taking the public heat. In his political campaigns, Osborne refused contributions from influence groups. He paid the price there too by having to put his own money in the campaign. Note: He just sold his house in Western Nebraska to help pay off debt from the failed political campaign.
Whatever Tom Osborne decides will be the next chapter in his life, he will always be a Nebraska legend and a Nebraska hero (even though he detests that sort of publicity). You always have to admire a man of his convictions.
Go Big Red,
RedCap
posted by RedCap at 9:41 AM
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