An athlete saying what they feel out loud is not always the best thing

It’s easy to be critical of professional athletes when it comes to what they say in media interviews.  Often they are criticized for being “boring” and having nothing to say, in part because they speak in endless clichés.  However, if an athlete does say something out of the ordinary, they are often in turn  condemned if their comments are construed as negative or not “politically correct”.

It is no doubt a delicate balancing act for athletes.

That said, it was disappointing to hear a comment recently from a member of the Toronto FC.  After the Major League Soccer team had just lost its eighth consecutive game to begin the 2012 MLS season, the player in question, Ryan Johnson, appeared to take umbrage with the strategy and tactics of his head coach, Aaron Winter.

Quotes attributed to Johnson were detailed in an Associated Press story after the game.

Said Johnson, "It's embarrassing, I think. It's embarrassing that the fans come to watch us and we're just playing so defensive. You saw the frustration for me because I felt we were on our heels the whole time just waiting for them to play the ball. We were just sitting in our half the whole time," he explained.

"We did that the last game against Montreal and it was the worst. It was the worst feeling, like I didn't even want to play any more. It's awful."

Observers have different views on whether a coach should ever “call out” his own players in public through the media when they under-perform.  In this case, it appeared to be the player calling out his own coach.

We can debate whether a player has the right to express their extreme frustration after a tough loss.  Most would likely agree that it’s only natural to feel frustrated when a team works hard yet continues to lose games.  By all accounts Johnson is a responsible, dependable player for the Toronto side.

What is disappointing, though, is to hear a player say—out loud—the phrase, “like I didn’t even want to play any more…”

If that is true, then by extension fans have every right to believe that the player was not in fact playing his best, was not putting out for the team and was certainly not demonstrating leadership on the field.  A player may well disagree with the tactics he is asked to execute, but his job—once the strategy is accepted and implemented—is to play within the team’s system and do everything they can to make it successful.

Given the big salaries that many professional athletes make nowadays, they often have more say in how a team is “run” than they did decades ago.  But ownership still pays the bills, management still signs the players and builds the team.  For their part, players freely choose to sign with and stay with a particular team.  Ultimately, the coach is hired to develop and execute a plan for his or her team.  If there is an issue, some serious disagreement between players and coaches about the “plan”, then surely that should be addressed internally and privately—and not publicly through the media, when it can be perceived as sour grapes and a player not taking responsibility for his own—or his team’s—failings.

In a sport that is already afflicted by the “blame game”—notably players flailing their arms and blaming one another regularly on the field of play, in full view of spectators and large television audiences—this kind of comment seems to send another poor message to impressionable youth players.  As in, if things go wrong, blame someone else (the coach, the system, your teammates…) rather than look in the mirror and work harder to do a better job yourself.

Frustration under difficult circumstances is understandable and expressing that frustration can be understandable as well.

But publicly laying the blame for a lack of success at someone else’s feet is rarely the best response.

Three simple questions that can make you a much better youth coach…

It’s always good to walk by a sports field or arena and see a youth coach working with youngsters who is passionate about and really committed to what they are doing.

When that passion turns negative, however, it’s a concern.

When we conduct seminars for youth coaches, we try to stress some simple but important notions.  One is this:  as a coach, you make a very big impression on the young people you interact with every day.  The other is:  youngsters will remember your words and actions for a very, very long time.  So you should always ask yourself, as a coach, “How do I want to be remembered in 20 years?”

It’s a pretty important question.  Because if you want to be remembered as someone who made a real and positive difference in the lives of the young people you worked with, if you want to have had an impact on their values, their desire to “succeed”, their ability to overcome challenges and the hurdles that they will inevitably encounter, then the opportunity is there for you.  You can be the kind of coach that teaches them every day—about sports and about life—and makes them feel better about themselves and their potential.

Or, you can stress the importance of winning over all else, play favorites, laud (and also exemplify) the wrong kind of “leadership” and perhaps even destroy confidence through negativity, poor behaviour and/or constant yelling and negative reinforcement.

There are shades and nuances of course.  Most coaches are not all one way or the other, when it comes to the traits I just described.  But in all cases, whatever impact you have and memory you create, you are writing the script every day—right now— for what your athletes will say, feel and think about you 20 years from now.

Sometimes as youth coaches there is so much focus on winning that you inevitably try to find the biggest, fastest and most skilled players to achieve that goal.  As a result, your real role as a youth coach is sometimes lost.

Every youngster learns differently.  Some need to hear the lesson.  Some need to see the lesson.  Most need to repeat the “skill” asked of them over and over to build the confidence that they can do it “right” in a game situation.

But of course, there is much more to coaching than developing the skills of your players, as important as that is.

For example, do you ever ask them why they love the sport they play?  If not, ask the question.

Do you ever ask your young players what really motivates them, personally, to want to come to the field of play in the first place?  If not, again, try asking them.

I can’t tell you how many coaches I’ve worked with over the years that neglect to ask these most elementary of questions.  Yet the answers can reveal so much.

By taking the time to speak one-on-one with the young people you are responsible for as a youth coach, and asking these simple questions, it will be a window into their world.  You may be able to connect even better with them, truly understand their feelings, aspirations and dreams-  and also help them be even better than they were before. 

It may also help to make you a much better coach.

“Bounty” system delivers a terrible message for young people

Professional sport is big business.  It’s about money—and winning. 

That true sportsmanship is not always (ever?) at the forefront of “game plans” and motivational strategies—when the result is the only thing that matters—is not a shock to anyone.

But recent revelations that some NFL coaches (in particular, former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinate Gregg Williams) have routinely employed what is referred to as a “bounty” system are profoundly disturbing.

Pro football, by its very nature, is already a physical, often violent sport.  It remains wildly popular, though the violent aspect of the sport is finally beginning to receive attention, especially as we discover that more and more former players, sadly, are living out their lives with dementia and various ailments that are clearly related to hitting—and being hit—throughout their football careers.

So it is ironic that, at a time when the world is finally beginning to take issues such as head trauma and concussions (and the long-lasting repercussions of such injuries) seriously, that there are still coaches who apparently “teach” professional players to try and injure opponents so those players are “knocked out of the game”.  And, the players are rewarded if they manage to knock an opposing player out.

Williams was once the Head coach of the Buffalo Bills.  We encourage you to read the article (linked to WIVB) which details some of the concerning elements of the impact this kind of behavior at the professional level can have on our youth.

We know young people are often influenced by how adults and especially sports “heroes” act.  Here’s hoping this is one example that will be punished severely by the powers-that-be at the NFL level, sending a message to all youth coaches and players alike that this kind of behavior—and thinking—is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.  

Gary Carter: remembering an individual who did more than play the game

Occasionally we post here about professional athletes who set an example—good and not so good—for our youth.  While there seem to be far too many instances where an athlete is seems to care for themselves and not much else--much less about being a positive "role model" for youngsters, a former baseball player who died last week after a serious illness provided us with a tremendous example that should be an inspiration to all.

Gary Carter made his name as a famous athlete, a celebrated player with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets.  Without cataloguing his long list of baseball accomplishments, suffice to say he excelled at his position (catcher) such that he was voted in to the prestigious baseball Hall-of-Fame.

My favorite story about Gary Carter was recounted years ago by a former Globe & Mail newspaper columnist by the name of Marty York.  I don’t have the story in front of me but recall that it was published in and around 1993.

Some background is in order.  Carter was a very popular ballplayer, because he played hard, played well and treated those around him with respect.  He smiled easily and wasn’t afraid to show emotion on and off the field.  On a personal level, when I was a young man in the broadcasting field in the 1970s, and not at all well-known, Carter, a true “star” athlete, made the time on several occasions to be interviewed, even though there was nothing I could, as a no-name reporter for a tiny radio station, do in return for him. 

Interestingly, as York told his story, it became clear I had not been alone in being on the receiving end of Carter’s generosity of spirit toward those with a lower-profile than himself.  He was one of those rare high-profile public figures who simply “got it”, as people like to say.

Evidently, back in the early or mid-1980s, when Carter was in his ball-playing prime and very high profile, a young freelance reporter was down in Florida at spring training.  The young man tried to ask several players for a brief interview so he could earn a few dollars as a “stringer”, providing stations with interview “clips” from players.  He was no doubt hoping to make a name for himself.  But he was rebuffed by every player he approached.  Eventually, he summoned up the courage—even after those earlier rejections—to ask Carter if he would mind answering a few questions.  Carter not only said yes without hesitation, but he took the unknown reporter into the team’s dugout, sat down and spoke with him at length.

That young reporter went on to a fine career in the media, no doubt bolstered, in part, by his success in being able to garner interviews with an important ballplayer like Gary Carter.

For his part, Carter went on to become a World Series hero but like all athletes, eventually had to retire—in his case, after 19 seasons as a major leaguer.  Then, when Carter was looking for a career after baseball off the field, one of the things that attracted him was a new job opening up—the role of color commentator/analyst with the expansion Florida Marlins.  And who just happened to be the individual responsible for hiring the analyst?

Well, it so happened it was the same young man who Carter thoughtfully gave time to many years before, when that young man was a “nobody”.  Hundreds of ex-ballplayers applied for that one job, all hoping for their shot at staying in the game, or at least starting a second career.  Many had been dismissive of “the media” in their own playing days, or carried a poor off-field reputation because of their attitude.   But they no doubt thought their “name” would be enough to land them this gig.

You can guess who actually got the job.  Carter.

Most people know the old line about, “Be nice to the people on your way up; you’ll meet them all on your way down…”.  But for me, this “story” is about much more than that.

Carter brought joy to his work.  By all accounts, and by my own personal experience with him, he treated others with respect, simply because it was the right thing to do—not because he was going to get something “back”. But far more than a job, or a Hall-of-Fame achievement, what he got back was the admiration and deep respect of former teammates, friends, family and fans across North America. 

The attitude he consistently displayed is one that he carried with him through the rest of his too short life.  A touching story on the Carter’s passing can be found here:

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/7583267/hall-fame-catcher-gary-carter-dies-age-57

A life well-lived is always a great life lesson for young people—but not just for them.

Even David Beckham got a red card as a parent: lessons for all of us

A great little story surfaced recently.  Long-time soccer star David Beckham “revealed” in a light-hearted way (you can see the full story and video by visiting here… http://news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/8414829/beckham-sent-off-during-kids-soccer-match  ) that he had recently been banished from the sidelines of a youth soccer game.

In fairness, it wasn’t a game involving his own son, evidently. Apparently, the referee in a U8 game, I think it was, sent off a young player for reasons that aren’t revealed in the story.  Beckham apparently called out to the ref to essentially say, “Hey, he’s just a kid.  You can’t toss him out…”

When Beckham persisted, the referee ended up throwing Beckham off the sidelines, and the longtime soccer idol had to watch the rest of the match from behind the field fence.

I can see both sides to this “disagreement”.  Beckham no doubt thought it was silly to send such a young player off the field.  But the bottom line is, the referee has to be in control and has to have the authority to make all decisions without interference from subjective and biased parents/spectators in the stands or on the sidelines.  And that applies even to an international "star" like Beckham—who no doubt felt he was protecting the child in some fashion.

The referee saw or heard something, clearly, that no one else had noticed—I’m guessing language, or inappropriate behavior or a serious foul of some description.  Even at these early ages, messages have to be sent about fair play, behavior, etc.  And as importantly, the role and authority of the referee has to be respected by all—whether “mistakes” are possibly made or not.

With this as a backdrop—and more and more youth soccer teams preparing to go outdoors before long—it may be timely to think in terms of appropriate behavior and the right “attitude” heading into a new season, especially from a parent perspective.

Please click here to see our article on “Soccer Sideline Etiquette for parents”.

And remember the David Beckham story!

Yet another college coach leaves his hand-picked recruits out on a limb at the last second

When Rutgers football head coach Greg Schiano signed to become head coach of the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it was clearly a big day for him—and a major career decision.

As exciting as it no doubt was for he and his family, it was one that left behind many others whose futures were also affected, perhaps negatively.

There is almost no good time for a head coach to leave a major college sports program.  In fairness, while extremely well compensated, these individuals can also be fired at any time, so their looking out for their own future is, on the one hand, entirely reasonable.

The difficulty comes when a coach recruits a player—as Schiano had while with Rutgers—and gives recruits absolutely no indication about his possible intentions to leave the school.

Personal negotiations for that “next job” are always hush-hush, and understandably so, but if a coach recruits a player with the assurance that he, the coach, will be at the school, it does raise an ethical question—at least when that same coach turns around, without warning, and sings to coach somewhere else, either at another school or as in this case, in the NFL.

The story as reported by ESPN explains things more fully here

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/recruiting/football/story/_/id/7506907/rutgers-scarlet-knight-recruits-wait-greg-schiano-never-arrives-meeting?eleven=twelve

Like most anyone else, a coach has rights.  But I do wonder where all the recruiting talk about values, being a team player and keeping your commitments goes when the person who promoted those “values” leaves town suddenly?

As the ESPN story indicated, some recruits and their families were scheduled to meet with Schiano at 8am on January 26.  No one knew why he was not at the meeting.

Hours later they had their answer:  He had signed to go to Tampa Bay.  Rutgers would have to find a new coach, and the players Schiano recruited would have to decide if they still wanted to go to Rutgers, or look elsewhere—with “national signing day” just days away.

A tough decision for Schiano, no doubt, but an even tougher one, it seems, for the young men who had committed to spend the next four years of their young life attending Rutgers—and playing for him.

Tim Tebow: whether he’s a good quarterback or not, what matters is that he is authentic

We often wonder if there are many (any?) true role models left in sport for young people to look up.

Oh, there are countless individuals in the world who quietly, privately, lead generous lives and influence youngsters in a very positive way.  Those individuals rarely seek—or receive—recognition for what they do.

But when it comes to professional athletes and the example they set (as we’ve touched on here many times), it is sometimes hard not to be let down.  Often the most famous athletes are not necessarily the best role models.  They don’t want to be—and it may not be at all fair to expect them to be.

But sometimes you come across an individual who happens to be an athlete, successful, well-paid, high-profile and still manages to cut through the bravado, ego and clutter of that world—and who make a real difference in the lives of others.

By all accounts, one of those fairly rare individuals is Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow.

Tebow’s sometimes near-miraculous run in helping his team get to the second round of the playoffs came to an abrupt end this past weekend against the New England Patriots.  But in terms of what I’m writing about today, that hardly matters.  The issue is not whether this young man is a great quarterback (he is a wonderful athlete—the jury is out on whether he can be a top NFL signal-caller…).  People can debate that if they’d like.

But when it comes to his being authentic or not, everything I’ve seen and read about Tebow suggests he is just that: real.

This is not about religion, or his particular religious beliefs.  I personally endorse his willingness to talk about his faith.  Perhaps more of us should.  Maybe more high-profile people with a “platform” should.  The opinions on that will vary.

But this individual helps others and seems to genuinely care for others.  A writer for ESPN, Rick Reilly, says it very well in this piece:   http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/7455943/believing-tim-tebow

The thing is, every story, every interview we hear about Tim delivers the same consistent message:  this guy is authentic.

So like him as a quarterback or don’t.  But when we moan and complain that professional athletes don’t “get it”, when one does, we should at least acknowledge it and not turn away and dismiss them simply because he or she expresses themselves publicly about something that we may not endorse or support.

And the truth is, it’s not an act.  With Tebow, it’s not about just “getting it”.  It’s who he is, which makes his impact even more special.