Charlie Brown Football: Why We Keep Trying Despite Repeated Failures

I’ve always been fascinated by the Charlie Brown football moment—that iconic scene where Lucy pulls the ball away at the last second, and Charlie, despite knowing better, runs up and kicks at air, tumbling onto his back once again. It’s a perfect metaphor for so much of life, isn’t it? We see it in relationships, in careers, and especially in the world of sports and large-scale event planning. I’ve been involved in organizing international sporting events for over a decade, and I can tell you—the “Charlie Brown football” phenomenon is something I witness time and again. Yet, here’s the twist: it’s not necessarily a sign of failure, but rather a testament to human resilience, hope, and the relentless drive to try just one more time.

Take the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), for example. Preparations are in full swing, assured Suzara, with the PNVF also lining up a bevy of promotional events including the Trophy Tour, International Road Show, Mascot Contest and Launch, Media Broadcast Conference, team managers meeting and Test Events around the country and the world. Now, on the surface, that sounds like a straightforward, well-organized plan. But anyone who’s ever tried to pull off a multi-national event knows the sheer number of things that can—and often do—go wrong. I remember organizing a regional volleyball championship back in 2019. We had test events scheduled, media lined up, and even a mascot ready to go. Then, a sudden travel restriction threw half our plans into chaos. It felt exactly like Lucy yanking that football away. But what did we do? We adapted. We rescheduled. We tried again.

It’s easy to look at repeated attempts as foolish or naive. Charlie Brown, after all, never actually gets to kick that football in the classic strips. But in real life, especially in fields like sports management, each “miss” teaches us something invaluable. For instance, when the PNVF mentions Test Events, they’re not just checking boxes. They’re gathering data—real, actionable insights. From my own experience, test runs typically reveal around 15–20% of operational flaws that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. That’s a significant number! Without those trial runs, the main event could face far greater setbacks. So, in a way, every time we “fall on our backs,” we’re actually building a smarter, more resilient framework for the next attempt.

Let’s talk about the Trophy Tour and International Road Show. These aren’t just flashy PR moves. They’re about building momentum and belief. I’ve seen firsthand how taking a trophy across different cities can ignite local interest and create a sense of shared ownership. But it’s also a logistical nightmare sometimes. Delays, weather issues, unexpected costs—you name it, I’ve probably faced it. One time, during an international roadshow for a junior league, we encountered permit issues in three different countries within a span of two weeks. We had to pivot constantly. And yes, it was frustrating. But each obstacle forced us to innovate. We ended up leveraging digital platforms more heavily, which actually expanded our reach by nearly 40% beyond initial projections. Sometimes, Lucy pulling the football pushes you to find a whole new field to play on.

Then there’s the human element—the mascot contests, the media conferences, the team meetings. These are the heartbeats of any major event. I have a soft spot for mascot launches; they bring such joy and personality to the games. But they also involve countless hours of design, testing, and sometimes, dealing with disappointed contestants. It’s messy. It’s unpredictable. And yet, it’s these very elements that make the entire endeavor worthwhile. I’ll admit, I’m biased—I believe the emotional connections forged through these activities are what keep people coming back, even after previous disappointments. We’re not just organizing events; we’re curating experiences that resonate on a personal level.

So why do we keep setting up that football, knowing it might be pulled away? Because the alternative—not trying at all—is far worse. In the world of sports and event management, the drive to push forward, to learn from each tumble, is what separates successful initiatives from forgotten ones. The PNVF’s comprehensive approach, with its mix of promotional and test activities, shows a mature understanding of this cycle. It’s not about avoiding failure; it’s about embracing it as part of the process. From where I stand, after years in this industry, I’d argue that the Charlie Browns of the world—the persistent, hopeful optimists—are the ones who ultimately move things forward. They might fall more often, but they also rise each time with a little more knowledge, a little more grit, and a renewed belief that maybe, just maybe, this time the ball will stay put. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.