The 2018 Heisman Trophy was awarded to the quarterback of the Oklahoma Sooners, Kyler Murray.

While I consider myself “Sooner born and Sooner bred”, what fascinates me most about Murray is that he had already been offered a $4.66M contract with the Oakland A’s as a professional baseball player before starting the 2018 season of college football with OU. 

Think about that through the lens of opportunity cost.

The opportunity to play college football for no money whatsoever…. potentially cost Murray the opportunity to make $4.66M as a pro baseball player. 

Granted the Oakland A’s said they would allow him to play football for OU for one year and he would still have his sweetheart deal awaiting him on the baseball diamond. 

However, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t get injured as a football player while making no money at all. 

Despite the risk, Murray chose to join OU and pursue what he thought might be a greater passion. 

In hindsight, I’m sure the risk must have been worth the payoff.

On December 8, 2018, Kyler Murray was awarded the Heisman Trophy, the most prestigious award in college football. 

Murray still hasn’t decided whether he will go pro in baseball or go pro in football, but by pursuing both of his strengths and passions, he will now likely have many more options than he did. 

What are your personal strengths and passions? Just because you’re good at one thing doesn’t mean you have to be typecast in that one area forever. 

It’s never too late to pursue something else that you might love. It’s never too late to try something new. It’s never too late to give that dream a shot. 

Take a lesson from this year’s Heisman and allow yourself to pursue other passions that might bring you even more joy than what you love today.

Sometimes the pursuit of greater is worth sacrificing holding onto what is already great. 

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men…” – Paul (Colossians 3:23 ESV)