The Myth of the “A-Team” Jersey
In the winter of 1884—140 years ago—Vincent van Gogh wrote a letter to his brother, Theo.
He was struggling. He wasn’t the icon we know today; he was just a man wrestling with paint, poverty, and doubt. In that moment of uncertainty, he wrote something profound:
“If I make better work later, I still won’t work otherwise than now; I mean it will be the same apple only riper — I myself won’t turn from what I’ve thought from the start. And this is why I say for my part, if I’m no good now, I won’t be any good later either — but if later, then now too. For wheat is wheat, even if it looks like grass at first to townsfolk — and the other way round too.
There is a trap we all fall into. We tell ourselves that validity is external. We think our worth is determined by the label on our jersey or the title on our business card.
I’ve seen this play out for years in the world of competitive Ultimate. During tryout season, you see players vying for the top-tier touring teams. If they get cut and offered a spot on a mid-level or developmental team, they often refuse to play at all.
They feel that wearing the “B-Team” jersey confirms they are a “B-List” player. They are afraid that if they look like grass to the townsfolk, they become grass.
But Vincent argues the opposite. He says: “If I’m no good now, I won’t be any good later either.”
He is saying that the status doesn’t create the value; the status only acknowledges it.
If those players were truly “wheat”—if they were truly top-tier players—playing for the developmental squad wouldn’t lower their stock. It would raise the squad’s stock. Joining a mid-level team doesn’t make you a mid-level player; joining that team makes that team a you-tier team.
The harvest doesn’t change what grew in the field; it just reveals it.
This is a reminder for all of us—athletes, creatives, and leaders: your worth doesn’t depend on the team you made or the applause you receive. Masterpieces aren’t defined by the accolades, but by the courage it takes to create them.
Whether they call it grass or can’t see it at all, wheat was always wheat. And you—your ideas, your work, your essence—are valuable today, not just someday.
Keep planting, keep growing, keep becoming.
