Dear Jenn Heil;

Much ado has been made about your ‘winning the silver’ in the media.  Opinion pieces abound deriding the idea that you ’settled’ for less than gold. You’ve said nearly as much yourself. Still, I don’t believe you.

I don’t believe you because I saw the look in your eyes in the moment you saw the score of what’s-her-name’s run (the american that took gold).  Despite what you now say about what you think and how you feel – at the moment of truth, you wore a true & deep pain on your face.

I’m writing this letter to say: it’s ok, and I wish more Canadians would allow themselves to be like that. It’s ok to want to win. It’s ok to say so. It’s ok to be upset when your best isn’t THE best. Heck:  when you’re an athlete it’s your job to win.  When you were focusing on the job at the top of the hill, moments before your run, there was nothing but execution. winning. Why sell us the idea that participation is enough?  Though I can imagine there’re influences inspiring you to behave this way, and ultimately I don’t fault you for maximizing your payday, I just am frustrated that so many of our proud countrymen & countrywomen make apologies for their ambitions… and worse… make apologies for being exceptional.

There is one group of guys who I know I can rely on to eat red meat & take no prisoners.  That’s why we love them and their game so much!  You know I’m right.  WOLVES.

So here’s my question:  why is it ok for you, Jenn Heil, to ‘win silver’ but nothing other than gold will suffice for our hockey teams?

be well, keep winning.

-james