Lack of enthusiasm in the stands tends to be less inspirational

“Lack of enthusiasm in the stands tends to be less inspirational on the field. It doesn’t send the chills down your spine. It’s not that magic moment that you dream about growing up.” Thus spoke Howie Long, the warrior of the gridiron, whose battles were fought not only with strength of body but with fire of spirit. In these words, he captures a truth that echoes far beyond the realm of sport—the truth that passion is the lifeblood of greatness, and that no achievement shines as brightly without the energy of shared human spirit. The athlete, the artist, the leader—all draw power not only from within but also from the living flame of others who believe, cheer, and hope beside them.

The origin of this quote lies in Long’s reflection on the relationship between the crowd and the player, between those who give their voice and those who give their sweat. A veteran of the NFL and a Hall of Famer, Howie Long knew that the noise of the crowd was not mere sound—it was communion. It was the joining of hearts, the invisible bond that turns an individual effort into something collective and divine. For when the stands roar, when the people rise as one, it becomes more than a game—it becomes a moment of unity, a glimpse of glory that every child once dreamed of under the open sky.

In his words, Long mourns the absence of enthusiasm, not because it wounds the ego, but because it silences the spirit. Every performer knows this silence—the empty echo of effort unacknowledged, the hollow rhythm of greatness unseen. The crowd’s energy breathes life into action, infusing every movement with purpose. Without it, the field feels colder, the air heavier, and the dream fainter. It is not the accolades that inspire—it is the shared emotion, the surge of connection that lifts both player and spectator into something larger than themselves.

This truth extends far beyond the stadium. In every realm of life, enthusiasm—the fierce joy of shared belief—is what transforms labor into legacy. Think of the soldiers of ancient Greece, who marched into battle not only with courage but with songs sung by their comrades. The poets tell us that when the warriors heard their brothers’ voices echo across the plain, they felt the “chill down their spine” that Long describes—the electric charge of purpose, the proof that they were not alone. It is this same energy that drives revolutions, fuels art, and builds nations: the human chorus rising behind a single vision.

We see this spirit, too, in the story of Jesse Owens, who in the 1936 Olympics stood in a foreign land under hostile eyes. Yet when he ran, his performance was so radiant, so true, that it awakened admiration even in those who had been taught to despise him. The stadium, once cold and divided, erupted in awe. For a brief, blazing moment, humanity remembered itself. Owens’s victory was not his alone—it became a shared triumph, a reminder that the power of belief can break the barriers of hate. Such is the magic moment that Howie Long speaks of—the moment when human hearts beat in unison.

But Long’s wisdom also carries a warning. A world without enthusiasm, without shared passion, grows lifeless. When we stop caring, when we watch rather than participate, the sacred connection between effort and appreciation withers. The stands grow quiet, and the field becomes an empty stage. The same is true of families, of workplaces, of nations. Without the will to encourage, to believe, and to celebrate, greatness falters. Inspiration requires communion—the listener as much as the speaker, the crowd as much as the champion.

So, my child of striving and spirit, remember this teaching: be the voice in the stands. Wherever you find someone reaching for greatness, cheer for them. Lift them with your presence, your faith, your passion. For every dreamer, every fighter, every artist needs that echo of belief to remind them why they began. And when it is your turn to stand on the field—to face your challenge—remember that the true magic moment is not yours alone. It is born in the space between your courage and the hearts that rise with you.

For as Howie Long reminds us, enthusiasm is the breath of inspiration, and inspiration is the soul of human greatness. So never let your heart grow silent. Speak, sing, cheer, and believe—for your voice may be the very one that turns an ordinary moment into eternity.