Jacksonville Author's Poem for Jaguars Highlights Athletes' Emotional Struggles

Gail Carter-Cade, a Jacksonville-based author specializing in writing about healing and emotional resilience, has written a heartfelt poem dedicated to the Jacksonville Jaguars as an offering of unwavering support. Carter-Cade, a die-hard Jaguars fan who travels to at least one away game annually with her family, was inspired after observing players' reactions following a tough loss in Nashville. She noted that most players looked down or straight ahead, avoiding eye contact with fans, which she interpreted as a sign of emotional distress rather than indifference.

As an author devoted to helping people navigate emotional pain, Carter-Cade recognized the deeper emotional fallout athletes experience after losses. According to an article from Psychology Today, athletes often face sadness, shame, anger, fear of disappointing others, self-doubt, anxiety, and loss of confidence. Carter-Cade's poem, titled "A Loss," reflects this emotional reality and reframes loss not as failure but as feedback. She emphasizes that what matters is the growth mindset—what athletes learn, how they practice, and how they show up next time.

Carter-Cade wrote the poem to inspire students, professional athletes, and fans, aiming to let athletes know their feelings matter and to help fans understand the emotional toll of the game. Her poem includes lines like "We didn't win the game/But next time we will reclaim" and "We win, we lose together, and stay committed," highlighting resilience and collective support. She hopes the message will resonate across Florida, not just for the Jaguars but for every athlete, student, and person battling silent disappointment.

The poem is part of Carter-Cade's broader work on emotional healing, which includes resources like her workbook Uplifting The Pain By Fostering Growth Mindset Through Poetry Now available on Amazon, and her book Uplifting The Pain of Behavioral and Learning Styles Through Poetry Now, also available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. By sharing her poem, Carter-Cade seeks to uplift pain through understanding and encouragement, turning moments of defeat into opportunities for growth and connection in sports and beyond.