One Day At A Time

Oct 02, 2008, 10:01:41 AM by Eileen Weir - FAQ

Years ago professional golfer John Daly was persuaded to enter a treatment program to address his multiple dependencies on alcohol, cigarettes, gambling and food. A maverick on the PGA tour in every conceivable way, Daly represented then as he does now the ultimate antithesis to the country club politesse that is the accepted norm of professional, amateur and club golf. Making his presence known on tour as much by his M&M-chomping, chain-smoking, beer-swigging swagger as his crushing drives, Daly became an instant novelty among golf fans, gaining equal parts respect and scorn.

Ballooning up to a staggeringly unhealthy weight and perhaps coming to some realization that his lifestyle habits were less than conducive to a long career or a long life, Daly took action to curb his self-destruction through addiction cessation treatment. Through the course of counseling Daly learned that the only way to live life, conquer challenges, overcome temptation is “one day at a time”. He was tutored in the message that life is short and it is within each of us to determine how the brevity of our existence would be spent.

Sincerely taking the message under consideration, Daly made a profound decision. Since the span of his life was limited and could be experienced only in the here-and-now of daily living, he was going to live it to the fullest. In an astounding declaration of self-awareness Daly determined that his numbered days would be spend as an M&M-chomping, chain-smoking, beer-swigging gambler. God love him.

It is that “living in the moment” attitude that Kansas City Chiefs fans are encouraged to embrace for the remainder of this week. Coming off an unpredicted victory against the surging Denver Broncos on Sunday, supporters of the team should wholeheartedly enjoy the moment to its fullest glory. Earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, Derrick Johnson became the first Chiefs linebacker to do so since Mike Maslowski brought home the accolade more than a decade ago. As the only team in the league starting two rookie cornerbacks, the Chiefs and its stakeholders have reason to take pride in the upset win punctuated by a positive give away/takeaway ratio.

Putting one in the W column for the first time in thirteen tries, the young group badly needed a taste of success and coming at the expense of a despised division rival made triumph all the sweeter. Leave it to head coach Herm Edwards this week to temper the pride of achievement with a dose of reality. The youthfulness of the Chiefs team allows room for concern that the catapult from the heights of victory will be fast. Fearing that a little success may prove a dangerous thing, Kansas Citians have commenced the hand-wringing over the potential debacle beckoning from the hills of North Carolina.

Escaping the dire fate of going 0-16 in 2008, Chiefs followers are justified in taking comfort in the home-field win. Ignited by early offensive productivity and a palpable energy exuded by the players, the crowd recreated the electric atmosphere that has made Arrowhead Stadium famous and famously challenging for opposing quarterbacks.

Following the nonconforming outlook of John Daly, Chiefs fans are excused for taking an inflated view of the Chiefs chances this week. You only go around once, so you might as well enjoy it.

The opinions offered in this column do not necessarily reflect those of the Kansas City Chiefs.

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A native of Binghamton, NY, with a B.A. in English Literature, Eileen Weir once served as manager of public information and media services for the Chiefs from 1992-2000. She currently is a society columnist for The Examiner.