How often does a second chance come to make good on the most important thing you ever do in your life?
Not often enough.
Santonio Holmes of the Steelers provided evidence that in a world that's often seen as unforgiving, redemption in the most critical moments can come.
In that final drive of the Steelers' exhilarating 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, Holmes was Ben Roethlisberger's go-to guy.
He made three catches that set the Steelers up seven yards away from a world championship with :42 left.
Then came a pass that went through Holmes' usually dependable mitts, a lack of execution at a critical moment that made Jackie "The Sickest Man in America" Smith and Yancey "Hand the Packers a Christmas Eve Giftwrapped Division Title in 1995" Thigpen feel like they were off the hook forever.
Then, as so often needs to happen in our lives when we've fall down, we get back up up again because someone believes in us, forgives us and gives us a hand.
Roethlisberger showed he believed in Holmes, and proved it the very next play when he threw to him in tight coverage.
And Holmes believed, and executed one of the great concentration-filled catches you will ever see, giving the Steelers a Super Bowl win by four point and Holmes' right toe.
How often is there that second chance for you and me when we fail in the most important moments?
How often are we stuck with Jackie Smith-like regret, when we fall down?
The missed child's piano recital or basketball game because of work, or we just because we don't want to leave the manroom to miss the game we want to watch?
The words of "I'm sorry" to your spouse that you don't utter because of pride?
The screwed-up job you make at work on the big account because you failed to prepare, and it cost you your job?
Sometimes those second chances never come, and the regret sticks forever.
Holmes got the second chance, and he manned up.
For all people in this world who fall down - and we all do - thanks, Santonio, for giving us an example on how to get up.