In his famous “Arena Man” speech, President Theodore Roosevelt said, “It's not the critics who count. It's not the man who can do how a strong man stumbles, or the act's actors can make them better. The credits actually belong to the man in the arena.”
On March 22nd, Wyatt Hendrickson was the man.
I found a man in the arena. Captain America is more than just a nickname. He is an embodiment of the American spirit.
He pulled out what many call the biggest upset in the history of NCAA wrestling, beating Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson for the NCAA Heavyweight Championship. The arena was packed with 18,000 spectators, including former President Donald Trump.
But it was more impressive than the title. The championship was the culmination of Hendrickson's entire journey to this point. Known as “Captain America,” Hendrickson represents the best of the American spirit. It's hard work, devotion to God, commitment to service, and non-apology.
The trendy mantra of “being smarter and less difficult” doesn't apply to him.
“I get work ethic from my dad,” he told me over the phone last week. “He said he would be smarter and more clever than usual. There's no substitute for hard work. If you're looking for a shortcut, you've already ruined it.”
Wrestlers can't outsource the brutal job of losing weight the night before a match. And Siri can't stop you from getting your cauliflower ears (look up – you'll flinch).
Hendrickson's work ethic was falsified early. He began wrestling at the age of five. But that was the decision he made as the teenager who shaped his life.
“I grew up in a Christian family, but in high school I decided to make Jesus my Savior and my Savior,” he said.
And he does not just serve God.
Mark 10:45 states, “Because even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to give his life as a ransom to many.”
Hendrickson is ready to do just that. He is the second aide in the US Air Force and is the origin of his nickname, “Captain America.” He graduated from the US Air Force Academy before using his final year qualification in Oklahoma. He is active and has worked for at least 20 years.
It was all on display when Hendrickson bolted out of the tunnel for a title match. He brought America to his back and Jesus to his heart – literally. Wrapping his signature shirt along with “Yes,” draped on an American flag and printed in bold capital letters on his chest, Hendrickson definitely made his values clear.
Many athletes reject patriotic or Christian values. Or they don't have the courage to display them. Some people openly express their temperament to what it represents, wearing stars and stripes. Former US women's soccer team star Megan Rapinow famously said, “America is great for a few people right now.” Does she count herself among them?
In contrast, Hendrickson told me, “Living in America is pretty weird and sweet.” He said respect for the flag, grew naturally. So why did he drape it on his shoulder before the biggest match of his life? “It was the worst thing I could do,” he said.
Patriots do not ask for permission.
The American spirit returns to our founding and continues to live on almost 250 years later. Our founder father sets the standard. It's not difficult to see Hendrickson stepping into the mat with George Washington's iconic paintings and the iconic paintings across Delaware. Even the smoke machine Hendrickson ran through felt like a nod to the mist Washington fought.
After the match, Hendrickson wrapped President Trump in a bear embrace. Speaking about the moment with the man he calls “Big Boss,” Hendrickson said, “Don't be afraid to stand up and stand up with what you believe.”
After his Olympic run, Hendrickson will focus entirely on the Air Force. “Wrestling is more difficult than the military,” he told me. “It's preparing me for the army. After wrestling, everything is easy.” He says his life revolves around three priorities: wrestling, God and America. If you can design a patriot in the lab, Hendrickson becomes the blueprint.
Samuel Adams once said, “It's dangerous for a true patriot to be silent.” The danger about Wyatt Hendrickson is that he faces him on the mat. I found a man in the arena. Captain America is more than just a nickname. He is an embodiment of the American spirit.
