Legacy

This chapter explores sacrifice and extra effort as essential components of success. Kerr recounts an initiation ritual for new All Blacks players in which they must contemplate what they can offer the team and what they are willing to sacrifice. Kerr emphasizes the importance of initiation ceremonies as psychological passages that mark transitions in life. He connects these rituals to myths, suggesting that participating in such rituals is a way of embodying mythic ideals. For the All Blacks, a central myth is the notion of sacrifice—giving everything for the team.

The chapter then introduces Brad Thorn, a highly accomplished rugby player, who Kerr says embodies the principle of “Champions do extra” (133). This motto, which Thorn’s father gave him, encapsulates the idea that success comes from consistently putting in additional effort beyond what is required or expected. Kerr provides several examples of this principle in action, including Thorn’s habit of adding extra repetitions to his workouts and pushing himself in the final minutes of a match. Kerr extends this concept beyond sports, suggesting that the “extra mile” is where people achieve true distinction in any field. He cites examples from various domains, including long-distance running and artistic pursuits, to illustrate the sacrifices required to