On the TUNNEYSIDE of SPORTS May 11, 2015 #540 Up next…”Don’t Give Up Too Soon”
After further review…With the “wrap” of the 2015 National Football League college draft, the final tally was 256 players selected. It is interesting to speculate how many will remain in the NFL for the projected average career of three-and-one-half years. No one invites the question more bluntly than “Mr. Irrelevant,” Gerald Christian, the Louisville Cardinal tight end taken dead last by the Arizona Cardinals. How long will his feathers stay red? Stay tuned!
In presentations to thousands of corporate audiences I often use the T*E*A*M building theme: Don’t give up on people too soon! As an example, I point out that Joe Montana was a third-round choice (#82 overall) of the San Francisco 49ers when he graduated from Notre Dame. But 49ers head coach Bill Walsh saw something in Montana, and he became a four-time Super Bowl winner and three-time MVP. Or how about New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who was the 199th pick in the 2000 NFL draft? 198 players were chosen before Brady, whose still-active career with his original team has equaled Montana’s Super Bowl achievements.
Sarah Thomas is the first female selected by the NFL to be an on-field official. She will serve as a line judge in the upcoming 2015 season. Thomas began football officiating in 1996, and worked her first varsity high school game in 1999. She was hired by Conference USA in 2000 and officiated her first major college game in 2007. By 2009 she was working a full college schedule of 11 games, and was selected for a post-season assignment. Thomas officiated in the United Football League in 2010, and worked in the 2014 NFL preseason. Her “rookie” NFL regular season follows 19 years of experience on the field. Don’t give up on people too soon!
My friend and colleague Johnny Grier has retired! His uniform number was 23 – same as the years of his on-field NFL tenure. I was fortunate to have Grier assigned to our crew when he began in 1981. As crew chief, I asked him to be our “downfield referee,” since, as a field judge, he was stationed some 25 yards from the line of scrimmage. His skill at that location was recognized by the NFL when he was selected to officiate Super Bowl XXll in 1988. He was assigned to the referee position the following season to become the first African-American to earn the title. His officiating career spanned half a century. The NFL and I will miss his wisdom and integrity.
Will you help others progress by not giving up on them too soon?
To contact Jim go to www.jimtunney.com or email jim@jimtunney.com.
Three of Jim’s books: (“101 Best of Tunney Side of Sports”, “It’s the Will, Not the Skill”, and “Impartial Judgment”) are available at the value price of $40.–$20. discount off the list price. Please email him at the above address.
