Mediocrity, in the classical, etymological sense, is something to aspire to. Mediocritas in high classical Latin was something to achieve, never too far to this or that side, never too happy nor too angry, just here and fine. Existing. It’s fine, y’all.
Mediocrity is antithetical to something like college football, because college football is a howling, foaming, rabid animal that will tear you to shreds the instant you look away. These are 18-22 year old kids tasked with undertaking one of the most difficult team sports in the world and being told to SUCCEED and WIN and EARN PRIDE.