Long before Ronald Reagan became president, he played all sorts of roles as an actor. He played George "the Gipper" Gipp, an All-American football player for Notre Dame who died at the age of 25. Just before his death, Gipp told his coach, Knute Rockne, to "win one for the Gipper." His coach used this request to rally his team to an improbable win against an undefeated Army team.
Today, my tennis team is battling for the Southern California mixed doubles championships. Our honorary captain, Elliott Fox, is unable to be with us due to doctor's orders. He is our modern day Gipper. His sly strategies and foxy moves on the court come from years of playing basketball in his youth. At 85 years old, he has plenty of life in him and will return to the courts once he defeats his latest opponent, a rare form of cancer.
If anyone can rally this team to a victory, it's our man, Elliott. His spirit will be with us to carry us to victory. It's time to win one for the Gipper.
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