Encore: The All Star
Update: 2024-10-25
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You come from an athletic family, and always strive to be the best, no matter what sport you play. When faced with a competition with your best friend for starting quarterback, you realize that being the best isn't about being better than anyone else - it's about being the best version of yourself.
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Transcript
00:00:00
1D+ subscribers can listen to Who's Amazing Life, Early, and Add Free right now.
00:00:05
Join 1D+ in the 1D app or 1D Kids Plus on Apple Podcasts.
00:00:10
From 1Dorie, I'm A.
00:00:18
Sanderson and this is Who's Amazing Start, a special mini episode of Who's Amazing Life.
00:00:25
You've heard of people who changed the course of history, but this episode is about someone who's making history right now.
00:00:32
Just like you, they're still getting their start in life.
00:00:35
Their journey is just beginning.
00:00:38
On this episode, you will be that person everyone knows.
00:00:42
You might be a musician, or an athlete, a scientist, or a painter.
00:00:48
There will be clues, so pay attention, and this is a mini episode, so it moves fast.
00:00:54
Listen to the end to find out who you are.
00:00:58
So sit back and imagine your amazing life as The All Star.
00:01:03
Imagine you're sporting a baseball glove on your right hand and wearing a fresh new pair of cleats.
00:01:17
A Texas Rangers cap sits on your head to protect your vision from the blinding sun.
00:01:22
You're standing eagerly in the outfield of a baseball field with your right arm extended in your glove open.
00:01:28
Your dad is on the other side of the field with a baseball in hand.
00:01:32
He wipes the sweat from his forehead, winds up, and throws a curveball.
00:01:38
The baseball lands dead center in your glove.
00:01:41
Nice catch, son.
00:01:43
You and your dad love playing baseball and have been doing it together since you were five years old.
00:01:50
Baseball is an important part of your family.
00:01:53
After all, your father is a professional major league baseball pitcher.
00:01:57
At 10 years old, you've been to plenty of games, and you know all of the ins and outs of the sport.
00:02:03
You follow all the players, but in your eyes, your dad is the greatest of them all.
00:02:08
You want to be just like him, the very best.
00:02:13
Let's practice long toss.
00:02:15
It's a good way to build your arm strength.
00:02:17
You game always.
00:02:19
When you long toss, you try to throw the baseball as far as you can.
00:02:23
You used to play in your backyard.
00:02:25
But eventually, the long toss has got too long, and you kept throwing the ball into the neighbor's yard.
00:02:30
So now, you and your dad play on a real baseball field.
00:02:34
I want you to keep walking until I tell you to stop.
00:02:37
Deal?
00:02:38
Deal.
00:02:39
You move a few steps back until your cleats touch the infield.
00:02:43
How about now?
00:02:44
Not yet.
00:02:45
Keep going.
00:02:46
You keep walking backwards until your back touches the fence behind home plate.
00:02:51
This is as far back as you can go.
00:02:54
Your dad is way out in the outfield with his glove outstretched ready to catch the ball.
00:03:00
When I was 10, the furthest I was able to throw was from home plate to the outfield.
00:03:05
Right where I'm standing now.
00:03:07
Could you do it?
00:03:09
You don't think you've ever thrown that far before.
00:03:12
But you want to try.
00:03:16
Your dad is the best player you know.
00:03:16
Could you match his record or maybe do even better?
00:03:20
You take a deep breath, wind up, and sling the ball as hard as you can.
00:03:27
You both watch and disbelief as the ball sales past your dad's head and over the outfield fence.
00:03:34
Oh man, I think I lost the ball.
00:03:37
Your dad runs over to home plate and gives you a high five.
00:03:41
That's gotta be at least 200 feet.
00:03:43
You're not mad.
00:03:45
Man, no way.
00:03:47
That was the best long toss you've ever done.
00:03:50
We've got to take this to a bigger field.
00:03:52
As you and your dad walk off the baseball diamond, your mind is lost and thought.
00:03:58
That was the best long toss you've ever done.
00:04:01
And you did beat your dad's record.
00:04:04
But you wonder, could you have thrown it even further?
00:04:08
That's what you love about baseball.
00:04:10
You always get to push yourself to be better and better.
00:04:14
And maybe one day, you'll be the best player of them all.
00:04:21
As you get older, you decide that if you want to be the best baseball player, you'll need to play one of the hardest positions on your little league team.
00:04:30
Short stop.
00:04:32
This position keeps you on your toes.
00:04:34
You're always scanning the field, practicing hyper awareness, and using your agility to throw the ball from odd angles.
00:04:41
Once you get to middle school, you discover another sport that allows you to work on your athleticism.
00:04:47
Football.
00:04:49
You play safety.
00:04:50
A defensive position that, like playing shortstop, requires you to think quickly on your feet.
00:04:55
It's different from baseball.
00:04:57
But it's fun to play a sport where you are still learning the ins and outs.
00:05:01
There's so much room to grow.
00:05:04
You even pick up basketball, another sport where you learn new things and sharpen your skills.
00:05:09
Playing three sports is challenging, but you love it.
00:05:13
And you love football most of all.
00:05:16
In high school, you continue to play all three sports.
00:05:20
But in your heart, your goal is to become the starting quarterback of your high school football team.
00:05:27
The quarterback is the leader of the pack, the athlete who rallies their team to victory and the playmaker.
00:05:34
If you are chosen as the starter, that means you're the best quarterback on the team.
00:05:40
And that's what you aim to be the best.
00:05:44
But there's someone else who also wants to be the starting quarterback.
00:05:48
And he's unlike any competition you've ever faced.
00:05:53
It's a scorching hot day and you're eagerly waiting at the 50 yard line of your high school's football field.
00:06:02
Football season is approaching.
00:06:04
And today, you're competing for the starting quarterback position on your high school team.
00:06:09
Your opponent, your best friend, Ryan.
00:06:13
You and Ryan have been best friends since the seventh grade.
00:06:17
Like you, Ryan is a skilled athlete and plays several different sports.
00:06:21
Competing with Ryan feels strange.
00:06:25
On one hand, you want to be the best and you know the starting position is awarded to the top athlete.
00:06:31
On the other hand, being the best means your best friend loses out on something he wants.
00:06:37
Ryan walks out onto the field and gives you a quick wave.
00:06:41
Your coach follows from his office with a bag full of footballs, a clipboard, and a few of your teammates who will participate as receivers in your competition.
00:06:50
Gentlemen, we're going to run through a few drills.
00:06:52
I'll score you on your performance in each one.
00:06:55
The person with the highest score gets the starting quarterback position.
00:06:59
Are you ready?
00:07:00
Yeah, let's do it.
00:07:01
You look over at Ryan, who shoots you a thumbs up.
00:07:04
You can't help but notice how sweaty your palms are.
00:07:07
But you're not about to let a little thing like nerves stop you from winning this competition.
00:07:12
You step up to the 50 yard line, ready to run a pass play.
00:07:16
One of your receivers steps up to the line on the right side and waits for your count.
00:07:21
Blue 42, blue 42, set, hop!
00:07:25
Your receiver takes off.
00:07:26
You drop five steps back, scanning the field for an opening while the receiver flies up the sideline.
00:07:32
Your stomach is in knots.
00:07:34
Maybe you don't have what it takes.
00:07:36
What made you think you could be starting quarterback?
00:07:40
Then it hits you.
00:07:42
This drill is just like playing long toss with your dad.
00:07:46
The knots in your stomach ease up as you channel your baseball training and throw.
00:07:51
The ball flies through the air for 30 yards right into the receiver's hands.
00:07:57
Ryan is next.
00:08:00
Green 18, green 18, set, hop!
00:08:04
Ryan drops five steps back, eyes locked down the field like an eagle.
00:08:08
He throws a perfect spiral for 30 yards and his receiver catches him.
00:08:13
You and Ryan play your hearts out.
00:08:16
Ryan sprints, you sprint.
00:08:18
Ryan throws a 15 yard dart, you throw a 15 yard rocket.
00:08:22
You're both really good.
00:08:24
Ryan may be more experienced but your natural talent shines through.
00:08:29
The whistle blows signaling the end of the competition.
00:08:33
You, Ryan and your teammates gather around your coach.
00:08:38
Who is going to be the starting quarterback?
00:08:41
You know you were good, but were you better than Ryan?
00:08:45
And the winner is both of you.
00:08:49
Both of us?
00:08:51
How is that possible?
00:08:53
Coach explains that both of you showcased amazing skills.
00:08:56
You'll be co-star in quarterbacks and we'll switch off who starts each game.
00:09:01
If you want to win the starting job outright, you'll have to earn it out on the field during the games.
00:09:06
Your heart sinks when you hear this news.
00:09:09
You hoped you proved yourself during the competition, but your best wasn't enough.
00:09:14
To you, there can only be one winner, one starting quarterback, one very best athlete.
00:09:21
And today, you feel like you're the total opposite.
00:09:28
In your junior year of high school, you and Ryan begin the football season as co-star in quarterbacks.
00:09:34
You start some games and swap out with Ryan at halftime.
00:09:38
Other games, Ryan starts and you sub in at halftime.
00:09:42
You like playing and you're happy for Ryan that he gets to play too.
00:09:46
Each time you're on the field, it takes football to a new level.
00:09:50
You're not just competing against the opposing team.
00:09:53
You're not just competing with Ryan.
00:09:55
You're also competing with yourself.
00:09:58
How can you run faster, throw farther and do better than your last game?
00:10:03
You love the thrill of the competition.
00:10:06
Still, as much as you're enjoying yourself, a thought looms at the back of your mind.
00:10:12
Even though you're always improving, will it ever be enough to earn the soul starting quarterback position?
00:10:19
Will you ever be the best?
00:10:23
It's a rainy, cold evening and you are warming up at the 50 yard line.
00:10:27
You toss a short 10 yard pass to your teammate.
00:10:30
Is it me or just tonight feel different?
00:10:33
It's homecoming, of course it's different.
00:10:36
It's the biggest game of the season.
00:10:38
Homecoming is a day in high school when alumni and current students come together to celebrate school pride.
00:10:44
The plan is for you to play the first half of the homecoming game and for Ryan to take your place at halftime.
00:10:50
Your team wins the coin toss and your squad gets to play on offense first.
00:10:55
It's your time to shine.
00:10:57
Your teammates line up and you drop behind your offensive line, ready for the first snap.
00:11:02
White Eddie!
00:11:04
White Eddie said!
00:11:06
A flock of defenders comes rushing at you as you drop back into your shield of offensive linemen.
00:11:13
A defender gets past one of your linebackers and rushes towards you like a freight train ready to tackle you.
00:11:19
You spin off of him, you have to move.
00:11:22
Scramble on the field, you throw a side on pass to your receiver as if you were throwing a baseball to first base.
00:11:29
It's not a typical football pass but after all of your years in baseball it's one you're pretty good at.
00:11:35
Your receiver catches the ball 15 yards ahead of you for a first down and the crowd cheers.
00:11:41
That was good but you bet you could do better.
00:11:44
Next play, you throw for 25 yards, then 30 yards.
00:11:49
You channel your long toss practice and boom!
00:11:52
You throw for 40 yards as the crowd goes wild, you have to admit it.
00:11:57
This is the best you've ever played and it feels amazing.
00:12:04
Halftime rolls around and you run over to the sideline with a smile on your face.
00:12:09
You make your way to the bench to sit out for the second half when coach stops you.
00:12:14
Where are you going?
00:12:15
I'm taking a seat, it's Ryan's turn to take the field.
00:12:18
Oh no you don't, it's too close of a game and you are on a roll.
00:12:22
Get back out there.
00:12:26
That's when it hits you.
00:12:27
Being the best was never about being better than anyone else.
00:12:31
It wasn't about beating your dad's record or winning starting quarterback over Ryan.
00:12:36
Being the best was always a competition with yourself.
00:12:41
Being the best you, you could be.
00:12:45
Ryan pads you on the back before pushing you back out onto the field.
00:12:49
You've got a team to lead to victory and a game to win.
00:12:55
After your momentous game, your football coach awards you the starting quarterback position for the remainder of your high school football career.
00:13:04
In college, you continue to play football and baseball, striving to be the best athlete you can be.
00:13:11
After college, you enter the National Football League draft and are drafted 10th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs.
00:13:18
In your second season in the NFL, you are named to the Pro Bowl and named the NFL's most valuable player.
00:13:26
You become the third quarterback in history to throw more than 5,000 yards in a single season.
00:13:32
You also become a two-time Super Bowl champion and a two-time Super Bowl MVP, establishing yourself as the youngest quarterback to win multiple Super Bowes.
00:13:42
You make history as you compete against the Philadelphia Eagles in the first Super Bowl to feature two black starting quarterbacks on opposing teams.
00:13:52
You are named to time 100's list of most influential people.
00:13:57
Off the field, you start a non-profit called 15 in the Mahomes Foundation, which is dedicated to improving the lives of children.
00:14:05
But from all your years in sports, you know there is always room to grow.
00:14:10
So even though your work is impressive on the field and in your community, to you, you're just getting started.
00:14:17
You are Patrick Mahomes.
00:14:20
[Music]
00:14:29
If you like who is amazing life, you can binge all episodes early and ad-free right now by joining One Dree Plus in the One Dree app or on Apple podcasts.
00:14:38
Prime members can listen ad-free on Amazon music.
00:14:41
Before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short survey at onedree.com/survey.
00:14:46
[Music]
00:14:49
From One Dree, this is Who's Amazing Start.
00:14:52
I'm your host, Ace Anderson.
00:14:54
This episode contains reenactments and traumatized details.
00:14:58
We use many sources in our research.
00:15:00
A few that were particularly helpful for this episode were The Los Angeles Times, ABC News, and the Kansas City Chiefs newsletter.
00:15:08
This episode was written by Matt Gantt, sound design by Andre Plus, audio assistance by Sergio Enriquez.
00:15:15
Our producers are Jennifer Klein and Olivia Rashard.
00:15:18
Our coordinating producers are Desi Blaylock and Christian Bannis.
00:15:22
And Matt Gantt is our managing producer.
00:15:24
Ryan Lawyer is our senior managing producer.
00:15:27
Ginny Bloom and Megan Bugala are our senior producers.
00:15:30
Executive producers are Ginny Lauer Beckman, Stephanie Gens, and Marshall Louis for One Dree.
00:15:36
[Music]
00:15:40
[Music]
00:15:42
