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Sheldon Rankins is one of a handful of veterans who understands the importance of seizing the moment. He spent his first five seasons as a member of the New Orleans Saints, who were in championship contention each year.
But whether it was the Minnesota Miracle. A blatant pass interference no-call or a career-altering injury to quarterback Drew Brees, Rankins felt each of the Saint's short-comings would give way to another opportunity the following year.
Eight years later, while still in search of his first championship ring, Rankins held a meeting about seizing the moment as a member of the Houston Texans.
"I laid it all out," Rankins told Texans Daily. "I was trying to get guys to understand that day, everyone always talks about having a window to win. But this whole window thing is a myth. Each year is different. When you have an opportunity to go win it all, you go win it all.
"Don't think about next year or the year after that, no. If you have the opportunity to do it now, you have to seize the moment. Go snatch it."
Rankins' message resonated with the team. He delivered the speech a day before the Texans' Week 17 victory against the Tennessee Titans. Houston has gone 2-0 since Rankins instilled his words of encouragement.
The Texans will play their first playoff game since 2019, Saturday afternoon against the Cleveland Browns. Being a participant during the 2023 postseason was an improbable feat at the start of the year. But inside NRG Stadium, the belief among the players and coaching staff was strong.
Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud felt the Texans were on the verge of a special year when he began working out at the Houston Methodist Training Center during rookie minicamp. Stroud said the team began to develop a winning mindset that became stronger once the rest of the players joined for training camp.
No players or coaches are looking ahead or back entering their Wild Card match against the Browns. Their prime concern is finding a way to revenge a 36-22 Week 16 loss to Cleveland while maintaining a momentum in hopes of winning four more games.
A potential fourth victory would conclude with the Texans celebrating inside Allegiant Stadium the night of Super Bowl LVIII.
"A veteran once told me once you start worrying about all the other stuff and what can happen the next year, you end up missing out on the good things that are going on right now," Jalen Pitre said. "We are in the playoffs. I am thankful for that, and that's all I am trying to stay focused on. We believed. And we still believe. It's a blessing, and I am ready to go."
As a member of the Saints, Rankins experienced one of the most successful eras in team history. They won a combined 56 games while clinching a playoff berth in four consecutive seasons starting in 2017.
The Saints not only failed to reach the Super Bowl each year they were in contention, but New Orleans advanced to one conference championship game.
Rankins departed New Orleans as a free agent in 2021. He took a handful of great memories and lessons that have guided him throughout his career. Seizing the moment is the most significant lesson Rankins learned in New Orleans. His greatest lesson laid the foundation of his motivational speech with the Texans.
"I had some of the worst heartbreaking playoff losses that ever existed," Rankins said. "I was just getting guys to understand that our time is now. We have a chance to go win it all. So, let's go win it all."
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