It was my junior year of college, and we were heading into Tempe to play Arizona State University.
We were the #1 team in the country. They were the Sun Devils. The temperature was 107 degrees. The field temperature? 123 degrees.
From the opening kickoff, things went sideways fast.
Our offense couldn’t move the ball. Our defense couldn’t stop them. Every hit felt heavier in the heat. Every minute felt longer.
By halftime, down 21-3, we walked into the locker room defeated, bruised, and uncertain.
We sat there waiting.
Waiting for Pete Carroll. Waiting for Ken Norton Jr.. Waiting for the speech that would flip the switch and change the momentum of the game.
But that speech never came.
Instead, a 320-pound lineman named Fred Matua stood up, holding his shirt.
He asked quietly at first: “What does this shirt say?”
Someone whispered, “Finish.”
Fred paused, then repeated louder: “What does this shirt say?”
This time more voices answered: “FINISH.”
Then Fred asked the question that changed everything:
“Is this just a cute slogan on a T-shirt… or is this who we really are?”
At the beginning of the season, our strength coach, Chris Carlisle, had put the word FINISH on everything—workout shirts, travel gear, equipment.
Not as decoration. As a standard.
Fred reminded us:
- If we’re winning — we finish
- If we’re losing — we finish
- If there’s still time on the clock — we finish
Was it just a word… or a commitment?
One by one, guys stood up.
“This is who we are.” “We mean it.”
By the time we left the locker room, we didn’t walk back to the field.
We ran.
Chanting: FINISH. FINISH. FINISH.
We stepped onto that field with clarity, unity, and purpose.
And we finished.
Final score: USC 38, Arizona State 28.
YOUR PURSUIT OF GREATNESS
As we step into 2026, I want to encourage you to do something simple—but deeply intentional.
Choose your One Word for the year ahead.
Not a resolution. Not a long list of goals. One word.
A word that guides how you show up. A word that anchors you when things get hard. A word that reminds you who you are and how you want to live, lead, and love this year.
WHY ONE WORD MATTERS
A One Word doesn’t guarantee an easy year. It doesn’t eliminate adversity. It doesn’t prevent setbacks.
But it does give you something powerful:
- Focus when distractions show up
- Intentionality when things feel chaotic
- An anchor when life doesn’t go as planned
A word reminds you who you are when the pressure is on.
MY ONE WORDS THROUGH THE YEARS
Each year, my word has met me exactly where I was.
Stable (3 years ago)
The year we moved from Los Angeles to Denver. That season was all about creating grounding—at home, in life, and in rhythm.
Flexible (2 years ago)
The year we had three kids under five. Every day required adaptability, patience, and perspective.
Focus (last year)
Distractions came from every direction. That word consistently pulled me back to what mattered most.
This Year’s Word: RELATIONSHIPS
I want the people who matter to know they matter. And I want to find and invest in more people who matter.
Because success without relationships is empty. And greatness is never a solo pursuit.
This year, we even chose a family word—something everyone in our home can rally around and live by together.
You can do the same:
- A personal word
- A family word
- A team or organization word
Shared words create shared ownership.
WANT HELP CHOOSING YOUR ONE WORD?
My good friend Jon Gordon created the One Word Challenge, a simple and powerful framework that has helped millions of individuals, families, and teams clarify their focus for the year.
Explore it here: One Word Challenge
Your One Word won’t make the year easy. But it will remind you what you stand on when things get hard.
When the heat is high. When momentum shifts. When the scoreboard isn’t in your favor.
Choose a word you’re willing to live, not just wear.
