Leon Lett, Don Beebe, and the Wrong Notes that Saved a Performance

by Drew Holmes

For my high school Senior Recital, I performed the two movements of the Haydn Trumpet Concerto I had prepared for the All-State audition earlier that year. It was the first major concerto I had ever prepared, and the recital would be the celebration of this accomplishment and a capstone to my high school career.

The first movement contains several highly technical passages, and I was hitting each one with precision and musicality. After nailing the final one, I remember feeling rather pleased with myself at how well things were going and my mind wandered.

But the movement was not over.

Next entrance was just some half notes and I missed them. Badly. The performance was still happening but was getting out of hand.

In Super Bowl XXVII, Dallas Cowboys Defensive Tackle Leon Lett recovered a fumble and was well on his way to scoring a touchdown. There were less than five minutes left in the game and victory was already assured for his team, so he chose to indulge in the moment. Just shy of the goal line, he slowed down and held the ball out as he strolled into the end zone for the score.

Or so he thought.

While Lett was rumbling down the field, he did not notice Buffalo Bills Receiver Don Beebe speeding towards him, never giving up on the play. When Lett held out the ball, Beebe was behind him and knocked it loose, saving a touchdown and regaining possession for the Bills.

In the end, Beebe’s actions did not affect the outcome of the game. But he is still remembered decades later for his focus and hustle. Leon Lett? He won three Superbowls and was an All-Pro twice, but he is forever connected to this and the Thanksgiving game where he again made a major mental mistake.

No matter how great our achievements, our shortfalls sometimes ring louder.

Music making is an activity that demands total focus and attention. Losing that focus, even for a second, can lead to a disastrous performance that, like Leon Lett, is remembered for all the wrong reason. Music requires Don Beebe-like concentration, the will to forget the scoreboard and make the play that is happening now.

For me, the missed notes on my performance were just the wakeup call I needed. I refocused on the task in front of me and finished the recital without further incident. When people remember Super Bowl XXVII, Leon Lett’s gaffe is what they think of first. For me, the real story of that day was Don Beebe staying in the moment and finishing strong.