I grew up watching my dad watch boxing, cheering for the underdog. I never understood it at the time. Why would you want to cheer for the guy who’s gonna lose?

I had to grow up before I could understand: It’s exciting to cheer for the underdog, because he might win. And that slim possibility inspires hope.

David took off his armor and downed Goliath with a sling and a stone. Apple, Obama and Mohammad Ali were all underdogs when they started out. The contrast between where they started and where they ended up is what makes the story. And the story is what we hope to make our own.

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