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Much of my family enjoys watching football with me in the fall and winter. It’s the most TV we watch all year.

Between both college and pro, we’ve enjoyed a lot of exciting games this year. But one in particular stands out. And not because of the result.

Midway through the season, Washington (where my wife is from) nearly pulled off an incredible upset of a highly ranked team. It was back and forth football for a full four quarters. Really great stuff.

On the very last play, however, Washington lost.

That’s not the story that matters, though. A few moments after the game ended, my son Jack turned to his mother and I and said, “That was a close game. Good job to the team that won.”

I was so proud of him for not confusing loyalty with entertainment. Better yet, he’s already beginning to understand what it means to be magnanimous, an elusive trait that makes the world a better place.

I was proud of the example he set and hope to demonstrate the same attitude whenever my favorite team loses.