Athletes and the Pleasure Principle

Every successful athlete whether they know it or not, employ the pleasure principle. Champions use this method more often and more effectively than the ones that do not become champions. An athletes ability to abstain from pleasurable activities in the present in order to enjoy winning in the future is a vital component for success. During training an athlete must be able to push through grueling training sessions and painful injuries. He or she must also abstain from drugs, alcohol, and junk food. My favirote example of an athlete using the pleasure principle is what Emmitt Smith did on Jan. 2, 1994. The dallas Cowboys were playing the New York Giants and Dallas needed the game to clinch the division title. In the second quarter Emmitt Smith badly seperated his shoulder. He was in extreme pain and was crying, but he refused to come out of the game. He finished that game with 168 rushing yards. He also caught 10 passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. Getting hit repeatedly by 300 pound men who run as fast as track stars after sustaining a seperated shoulder is one of the most unpleasurable things I can think of. However, Emmitt Smith Knew that when it was over, all the pain he had endured would have been well worth it. The Cowboys won that game 16-13 and went on to win the Super Bowl that year.