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Talese on Floyd Patterson

Audio / Produced by The High Calling

Transcript

After games, sportswriter Gay Talese would rather visit the loser’s locker room than the winner’s. Not because he loves failures, Talese said, but because he’s fascinated with people who rise from the floor.

Some years ago, Talese profiled boxing champion Floyd Patterson. In 1960, Patterson had recaptured his lost title—the first boxer to reclaim the world heavyweight crown. Talese said, “Patterson got knocked down more than anybody in the history of boxing, but he got up more than anybody. That is a real achievement.”

This is Howard Butt, Jr., of Laity Lodge. Talese says most of life takes place between triumph and defeat. Patterson’s rise from the floor of defeat encourages us in our losses to get back in the ring … in the high calling of our daily work.

And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

(2 Thess. 3:13)

Originally published in 2007.

Featured image by Martín Vinacur. Used with Permission. Source via Flickr.

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