TOP SHOT EXPERIENCE

Forrest Griffin (professional MMA fighter) wrote a funny book called “Got Fight” about his career in the ring.  One of the funniest lines I have ever read was one he used to describe how he would respond to the interview question “what happened?” after he got knocked out during a fight.  His line was:  “Everything was going good, then I just got knocked the f—k out!”  I love that line, it is funny and such dry humor.

What happened to me on Top Shot?  Everything was going good, and then I just got my ass kicked off the show!  Not much else to say!  Oops!  If you're not first, your last...ha!  (yes, forum and computer ranters, that was humor, don't take it so seriously)

The First Challenge.  While it might look like the teams got tons of practice with the guns before the first challenge, we actually got about 40 minutes total, and tried to shoot 4 different guns all of which were new platforms to me, except the M-14 (about 10 minutes each).  I shot a total of 7-10 rounds through the Springfield 1903 I had to shoot in the challenge during practice, and was not sure of anything (including zero) before we were done.  During the challenge, I stepped up to the plate and agreed to shoot the Springfield, since I was one of the only people to get any trigger time with it.  Anyway, we got to the challenge and I missed the damn 100-yard target a crapload of times (as you probably saw).  I don’t think I suck that much, and honestly could not tell you what happened.  At one point I realized the rear sight was loose, but still could not hit the target after that.  Honestly, I never knew where I was hitting.  I was actually aiming low left in the bushes about 15 feet in front of the target thinking I was high right at the end, since I never got much definitive guidance from my spotter.  My spotter was having trouble getting me on target too as you could see, wasn't giving much guidance.  Just for my own sanity, I borrowed a Springfield when I got back to Tulsa to see if I sucked that bad with it, and you can see the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmV0Ra-jgk0

After borrowing and shooting that gun, I realized I can hit just fine with a gun like that.  You can see that I hit the 8-inch plate pretty easily at the same distance, resting on a plastic trashcan, in much harder conditions.  During the challenge, I might have yanked a couple shots after I got on the gun, but I was very calmly squeezing the trigger for the other 20 some that I shot, trying like crazy to figure out where to aim and where I was hitting. I can tell you this for sure, I was feeling no pressure after the first couple rounds.  I was just squeezing the trigger trying to figure out where to aim.  Obviously, after my poor performance or bad luck in that challenge, I wound up getting voted to do the shootoff challenge.  See the next paragraph for more about that. 

My shootoff Challenge against Kelly.  I pretty much influenced the vote.  I knew I would be voted in and wanted to shoot against the best shooter there since I knew the challenge would be something with a rifle.   If I was going to get my butt kicked, I wanted to get it kicked by the best.   Kelly was by far the best rifle shooter there.  What I SHOULD have done was sway the vote and voted for my spotter, since he and I were the only two who could be blamed for the loss during the challenge.  That was my one mistake in the show.  Had I shot against Andre (my spotter), there is a chance I would not have been knocked off the show. 

How will I live with the fact I lost?  Mostly by drinking lots of beer or hard liquor.  The truth is, I have been getting my ass kicked by people all my life, but I keep coming back.  That is what is unique about me; I am too stupid to quit.  I am an average guy, and have always been someone who has to work my tail off to do well.  I am NOT a natural at anything, as a matter of fact; I probably have to work harder than most to develop the skill I have.  Once again, I am just too stubborn or stupid to quit.  My failures have driven me to my higher levels of skill.  Another thing, I hate to lose, but have no fear of it. 

Would I do it again?  Does a bear poop in the woods? I got to be on TV!  Of course I would do it again!  Do you think I am smart enough to try to avoid a second potentially embarrassing moment on national TV?  I am not smart enough to quit….and it just isn’t in me.  Of course, my lack of training (on a Springfield 1903 and other non-standard guns) is what got me.  I would not return to a show like that in the blind again.  I will shoot a bunch of guns that I have never touched before (by the way my first time shooting or even handling a Springfield 1903 was on the show!)  Remember, I walked into this thing knowing NOTHING about it, or how to prepare.  Hell yes I would do it again; I refuse to be scared of failure. 

My regrets.  Getting my butt kicked.  (ok you probably guessed that).  In all seriousness, my biggest regret was not having the opportunity to get to know the other cast members better.  They were a unique and great group of people.  I am sure I would have grown to loath some of them, but I really wished I would have had more time with them.  Secondly, they got to do all of the stuff I am good at after I got my ass kicked off the show, and I am pissed that I did not get to do any of it. 

The Overall Experience.  For those who have not been on film before, I can assure you that it is one of the most incredible and interesting experiences that I have ever been in.  The lights, camera, and life on a “movie” set are much different than you would ever imagine.  In the show Top Shot, the setting was a reality show with the emphasis on marksmanship skill.  From the beginning of the selection process, none of us knew what we were getting into.  I applaud the History Channel for hosting a “gun friendly” show, and I hope this is the beginning of a friendlier media relationship with gun owners.  I also applaud the producers and crew that puts this stuff together.  They work their butts off!

FORUM RANTERS READ THIS (and then get out from behind your computer and go shooting!): 

Closing Comments.  I love a challenge.  I hope to get to do that again some day.  For anyone who wants to try to kick my butt in a shooting contest, with whatever gun you want... I can be found at USSA in Tulsa Oklahoma.  Bring you’re A game and get your stuff on!  If you beat me, I will buy you a cookie.  If I beat you, I want a Starbucks mocha (double tall, light on the chocolate, no whip cream).  Once again, I love a challenge, and for some strange reason I kinda like to get my butt kicked, because it motivates me that much more…..remember, I am too stubborn or stupid to quit.  That’s about all I have to say! 

You might also find some more answers on the Enos forum, where I answered some questions:  http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=107874&st=0&p=1226878&hl=seeklander&fromsearch=1&#entry1226878

My wife allowed me to play around and do this show in California and go through the show selection stuff, and I thank her and my family for all of the support they gave me.

Thanks to my boss and incredible staff at USSA for supporting me through this adventure, they are my family away from my family!