Gail Carter-Cade, a Jacksonville-based author specializing in healing and emotional resilience, has written a heartfelt poem dedicated to the Jacksonville Jaguars as an offering of support rather than criticism. The poem, titled "A Loss," aims to address the emotional struggles athletes face after defeats, drawing from Carter-Cade's personal experiences as a die-hard Jaguars fan.
During a recent away game in Nashville, Tennessee, Carter-Cade and her family sat near the players' exit tunnel, hoping to show support after a tough loss. "We were rooting and hoping for them to win. Unfortunately, they didn't," she said. "Most of the players looked down or straight ahead. They wouldn't even make eye contact." This moment of perceived disconnect inspired Carter-Cade to create a piece that validates athletes' emotional pain.
According to Psychology Today, athletes often experience deep emotional fallout after losses, including sadness, shame, anger, fear of disappointing others, self-doubt, anxiety, and loss of confidence. Carter-Cade's poem reframes loss not as failure but as feedback. "A pro doesn't avoid losses," she said. "They respond to them. What matters is the growth mindset — what they learn, how they practice, and how they show up next time."
The poem, written from the perspective of an athlete, captures the raw emotion of a loss: "We lost the game / All I saw was a flash / Now I feel like trash / I can't take the rehash / Or the student's backlash." It concludes with a message of resilience: "We didn't get the result we wanted, and that's hard / We win, we lose together, and stay committed."
Carter-Cade hopes the poem will inspire not just Jaguars fans but also students, athletes, and anyone dealing with silent disappointment. "I wrote this poem to let athletes know how they feel matters — and to let fans understand the emotional toll of the game," she said. "In this way, we can truly uplift the pain."
Her work aligns with her broader mission as an author. She has published a workbook titled Uplifting The Pain By Fostering Growth Mindset Through Poetry Now and a book Uplifting The Pain of Behavioral and Learning Styles Through Poetry Now, available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. She also maintains a presence on social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
As the Jaguars continue their season, Carter-Cade's poem serves as a reminder that the emotional health of athletes is as important as their physical performance. By addressing the grief and disappointment that accompany losses, she hopes to foster a more compassionate and supportive fan culture.
