So we have a 12 year veteran who has played his heart out during his whole career. This is his last season. Things aren't going well for the team but he remembers his rookie season as an undrafted O-lineman. He worked his butt off.
His line-coach, who he now remembers fondly, was a relentless perfectionist constantly demanded 100% effort in everything he did. He'll never forget his HC's favorite phrases, "Never quit!", "Give it everything you got", "Don't steal from yourself". When he became a starter in his 3rd season the GM congratulated him, telling him, "You never quit. You never gave up. No matter how bleak the circumstances, you always played as if each play was the one that was going to win the game. That's why you are a starter."
Today, 9 years later, his HC informed him that he was no longer the starter. "Things aren't looking good this season and we have to look to the future so I'm replacing you with _____" That's his backup, a guy with a future but not there yet. Everybody on the team knows that he is a better player today than his replacement.
He wonders....
"Take it one game at a time?....but now it's looking to the future?"
"Never quit?....but you quit the season, coach. So did the entire staff as well as management. You all quit"
"How does losing by fielding a team less talented than what you can...how does that establish a winning tradition?"
"Before you made this decision, did you inform all the loyal fans, season ticket holders, kids that look up to this team as an example of good sportsmanship?"....Did you tell them, "Sometimes it's better to quit today so we can pad our chances for success in the future?"
"All the lessons we learn from team sports.....starting from T-ball as a five year old to today.....the entire reason sports are part of the educational process.....has it all been nothing but a lie?"
A fair question, wouldn't you agree?