Ten seconds left, the game is basically over. All Michigan needs is a punt downfield and they have beaten state for only the second time in nine years. But then it happened.

“It” being the botched punt snap leading to an MSU touchdown. Game over. State wins. As a Michigan fan, this is painful to recall, but it can teach a life lesson.

If Michigan State gave up and threw in the towel for those last 10 seconds, the punt would go 50 yards and Michigan State would have to throw an unlikely hail mary pass to win, and would still probably lose. If Jalen Watts-Jackson isn’t sprinting at full speed while focusing on the end zone, MSU loses. Hard work and perseverance can pay off in big ways.

Mistakes do not define an experience or a lifetime. When DeSean Jackson bobbled a punt, picked it back up, and then ran for a touchdown to clinch a playoff berth, it didn’t matter that he bobbled the ball. He got the job done. The game and his ability was not defined by his mistake on that play.

Luck plays a big role in life. Those who make it to their goal, need a little bit of luck along the way. Miami was down against Duke, with only a kickoff to go. They had eight lateral passes en route to a touchdown and a win. This play was reviewed the next day, and it was discovered Miami had four players who were down and many penalties were missed. Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good.

When Tiger Woods lined up for a chip on the 16th hole of the Masters in 2005, he knew it would take a perfect hit to make birdie. He chipped the ball from what seems like an impossible angle, the ball rolled all the way up, looked as if it is short… and drops in the hole. Sometimes, the smallest margins can make the biggest differences.

Miracles do exist. The undefeated Patriots in 2008 came into the Super Bowl heavy favorites over the Giants. The game was close and the Giants had the ball with some time left. Eli Manning heaved the ball up to David Tyree, who catches it on his helmet, leading to a Giants’ upset.

Much can be learned from sports at every level. Inspiring stories of athletes’ lives, feats of athleticism, incredible upsets, and near miracles pulled off can all teach us something about life and how to live it.