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Football is a great game for a lot of reasons. One of the things I like best about football is that you can be a pretty good player and have little or no athletic ability. We have some guys on our team that are not being asked to play basketball by the basketball coach. We have some guys on our team that would be in danger if they were to try and catch a baseball, let alone hit one. But they are good football players because they are tough and they try hard everyday. And those two things are enough most days to make them a good player and some days a great player. It takes no ability to be tough and to try hard every day.
Recently one of my coaches was commenting on one of our players. "He's not having a good day today. Normally he does good everyday, but today is not a good day." I thought about what he said and I wondered why. "Maybe today he doesn't feel good. Maybe today he had a fight with his Mother or his girlfriend. Maybe he didn't get much to eat for lunch and he feels a little weak. He could be worried about his chemistry quiz or maybe his grandfather is sick. Most everyday he practices with intensity and enthusiasm. But today for whatever reason he is not getting it done," I said. "On a day like today, he needs his coach to help him. To motivate him. To make him do what he has done a hundred times already, but can't do today. " My coach looked at me and said. " I think I can do that. I can give him a kick in the pants in case he is feeling sorry for himself. I will yell at him a little and hug him a little. I'll talk to him about all the good he has done this year. How hard he has played. What a great example he has been to his teammates. I can explain to him how important it is for him to finish the season strong. That his team needs him. "
"Do you think he will respond?" I said. "Yes he will, " my coach answered. "but of all of that, do you know what will turn him around?" I said. "It is the part about his team needing him. If I know this young man," I said, "he will be back on top before you know it.
What gives a player the will to practice, the will to play, in a long season? When he doesn't have it one day, it is up to his teammates to give him some enthusiasm, some heart, some effort. Who lifts you when you are down? It is one of the most important things one teammate can do for another. It shows his willingness to conform to the efforts of others. What kind of teammate would you be if you could lift the effort of others but refused to do so? The most valuable player on any team is the one who creates enthusiasm day after day. That player could be you. What do you do to create enthusiasm, to encourage your teammates? One guy can make a difference....start today to be the winner you should be whether on the field, off the field or somewhere else.
It is playoff time......everyone will need some encouragement in the days to come. Start taking some responsibility for your teammates and their actions today.
