Would you say it’s a big mystery when somebody gives up fame and fortune to coach at a local high school?
Not in the case of Steve Cyphers. Cyphers, a former athlete, went on to become a big-time sportscaster for ESPN. He was popular with the viewers, pulled down a six-figure salary, reported on a lot of exciting games. Then Cyphers shocked many of his colleagues by throwing in the towel.
He took a 90 percent pay cut and took a job coaching for a school near where he lived. He wants to spend more time with his family, less time on the road. He says he had a great time working for ESPN, but just wants to do something different now. Many at ESPN were shocked, but not those who knew him best.
One colleague, anchor Dan Patrick, didn’t bat an eyelash. “If you told me Steve was going to try to find Sasquatch, or he was going to go meet with the Dalai Lama, or he was going to go run with the bulls in Pamplona, I wouldn’t be surprised by any of that,” says Patrick. “That’s the kind of person he is.”
In other words, Cyphers keeps his eye on the ball. He knows that life is short, and that you have to consider what’s the best use of this brief time. And what it takes to be happy depends on a lot of things. Not just money and fame things nobody knows more about than you.
As Steve Cyphers puts it, “Things work for me if I make everything a game. And right now, my game is on.” Slam-dunk, Steve.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.