Not That You Won or Lost but………………

By on July 16, 2009 in America, American Football, USA

“For When the One Great Scorer
comes to write against your name,
He writes – not that you Won or Lost
but How You Played the Game.”

I was so pleased to receive the  full poem from John Miles (see 6th comment on this link) – many thanks John.

This discussion has been ongoing since I first posted a question about  these magical sportsmanship words back in December 2008  and subsequently in Jan 2010. However, I still wonder why the attached beautiful graphic (which used to hang in my parents’ bedroom  in Dublin in the 1950s) refers to Newbolt? Does anyone know?

For when the one Great Scorer comes to write against your name, He writes not that you won or lost, but, how you played the game.

Ask your local coach to post this verse on his/her noticeboard. Spread the word.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can download this as a poster by clicking on it or print it out and post it onto a notice board, or a dressing room.

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11 Responses to Not That You Won or Lost but………………

  1. Jon August 3, 2009 at 11:06 pm #

    Paul,
    I have on my desk, framed (by ‘Boots framing department’)some years ago, an exact replica of your own illuminated script. And I have also pondered whether it was Newbolt or Rice!
    Can’t help, but get a lot of reassurance from looking at those 4 lines.
    Jon

    Reply
  2. Regie September 14, 2009 at 5:20 pm #

    This sign or one almost just like it was on the wall of the school I attended about 58 or 59 years ago. If not mistaken it was attributed to Cardinal Cushing.

    Reply
  3. Regie September 14, 2009 at 5:21 pm #

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Cushing

    Reply
  4. Santos Sommerdorf June 5, 2010 at 11:19 am #

    Hey, I love your site, keep it coming!!

    Reply
  5. Paul Smith October 14, 2009 at 12:47 pm #

    Thanks very much Regie. Although it’s still an unsolved question. See my post and subsequent discussion 9 Dec 2008 or click http://www.greatmomentsofsportsmanship.com/?p=6 for the full poem attributed to Grantland Rice – but maybe he borrowed the final verse from Cardinal Cushing?

    Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Not that You Won or lost but How You Played The Game at Great Moments of Sportsmanship - October 14, 2009

    [...] You can download this as a poster by clicking on it or print it out and post it onto a notice board, or a dressing room. The debate also continues elsewhere on this Great Moments Of Sportsmanship site. [...]

  2. Twitted by PR_Smith - November 20, 2009

    [...] This post was Twitted by PR_Smith [...]

  3. uberVU - social comments - November 20, 2009

    Social comments and analytics for this post…

    This post was mentioned on Twitter by PR_Smith: @Spiritsafety a simple acid test…. would u put this poster on your noticeboard http://tinyurl.com/yj4bwct If yes u support sportsmanship…
  4. New Year – Old Poem – Great Sport « Great Moments Of Sportsmanship - July 9, 2010

    [...] the full sportsmanship poem is a good way to kick off the new year. Print it off. Pass it on. Use the poster. Let young and old read this inspirational poem about life and sport. Many thanks to John Miles for [...]

  5. Not that You Won or lost but How You Played The Game | Great Moments Of Sportsmanship - April 4, 2012

    [...] it or print it out and post it onto a notice board, or a dressing room. The debate also continues elsewhere on this Great Moments Of Sportsmanship site. Share:FacebookShareStumbleUponPrintEmail Alumnus Football, Cardinal Newbolt, Grantland Rice, [...]
  6. New Year – Old Poem – Great Sport | Great Moments Of Sportsmanship - September 9, 2012

    [...] more comments and discussions on the source of this poem see July 2009 post (with lots of comments) and also see the original post (with many more comments) Dec 2008 [...]

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