Blessings Are Not Just For Christmas

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports
December 5, 2022
#929 Up next…

After further review…In my message recently about Thanksgiving, I noted how it is important that we give thanks more often than just at Thanksgiving! Blessings don’t come only as we give thanks during that fourth Thursday in November, they come because we are eternally grateful. John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach who left us (about a dozen years ago) at age 99, said: “If I were ever prosecuted for my religion, I hope there would be enough evidence to convict me.” (Yes, Coach, there would be!)

Those words “enough evidence” ironically, bring to mind issues involving accusations of sexual abuse and remind us that those egregious behaviors often come from sources that we would never suspect — the former assistant coach at Penn State, Jerry Sandusky molesting young boys comes to mind, along with the accusations of some members of the clergy. If so, to whom do those in need approach?

Sunday we had the return to the NFL playing field of Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, playing against his former team, the Houston Texans, and playing in their NRG stadium. Incidentally, the NRG stadium completed in 2002 cost $352 million –  or just about $120 more than the Browns paid Watson (age 27) for a 5-year fully guaranteed contract worth $230 million. Watson returned from an 11-game NFL suspension for sexual misconduct charged by 23 women.

For many years I have often thought that whatever level we achieve we may need guidance to continue to carry on successfully at the next level. Even at age 96, the renowned singer Tony Bennett has a coach to help him. With that method in mind, those who achieve in their chosen field of endeavor can be equally successful in their personal lives as well.

As my good friend and colleague, Dr. Nido Qubein has often said. “Throughout life be sure to accumulate good memories.”

Will you strive to collect grateful memories in your daily contacts?

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Holiday Gifts For The Sports Fan

Jim’s famous Bobblehead is still available for $30. He has added one of his books (your choice – you pick one from his website www.jimtunney.com) at no extra charge.

Shop here.

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com  or email jim@jimtunney.com.

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Name of the Game

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports
November 28, 2022
#928 Up next…

After further review… In a corporate speech I once gave, I was asked “Did you ever officiate an NFL game where there was a controversial call made?” My answer was, “Every Sunday afternoon (or Monday night!)” Then the follow-up question: “Were you the one who made it?”

I love the Q & A sessions in my presentations. Questions are forthright and genuine with the questioner curious about the job of an NFL game official. More often than not, the person asking has a specific incident that involves a team of which he/she is a fan. In any case, the answer—my answer—needs to be clear, concise, and honest.

With the 2022 NFL season now just past the midpoint, controversy is in full play. And that word – controversy—is mentioned regularly. Fans of one T*E*A*M or another will be either angry at 1) game officials, 2) Coaches, and/or 3) players. Fans want perfection from all of the above –no, let me correct that –fans want their T*E*A*M to win (perfection is not always required).

Controversy is in the eyes of the beholder. As an example, consider Washington D.C. and its direction, or the corporate world, Twitter among others, or in our local elections. But nothing stirs emotions like sports.

With 4th and 1 at the goal line, should a T*E*A*M go for the touchdown or a field goal? Should a coach replace his starting QB when he is struggling? Who takes the heat for a T*E*A*M with more losses than wins? Coach, assistants, players, or all of the above?

A former player wrote to me some time ago that I had cheated him out of a paycheck because of a call I made – that was 42 years ago! They don’t forget! Then there’s the call some years that denied a pitcher a no-hitter. That umpire who made that call wasn’t cheating. It was just his judgment.

Error in judgment happens every day – parents, teachers. executives and government officials. Were they cheating or just making a decision that was honest, but incorrect? When scandals occur, it causes the public to suspect that all officials, and corporate executives, are crooks. It has often been said: “You are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts.”

Will you use caution to weigh all factors before making your judgment?

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Holiday Gifts For The Sports Fan

Jim’s famous Bobblehead is still available for $30. He has added one of his books (your choice – you pick one from his website www.jimtunney.com) at no extra charge.

Shop here.

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com  or email jim@jimtunney.com.

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Every Day is a Day For Giving Thanks!

Posted on November 21, 2022 by Jim Tunney Ed.D
Happy Thanksgiving from Jim Tunney

On the TunneySide of Sports
November 21, 2022
#927 Up next…

After further review… It has always seemed to me that the celebration of America’s holiday of Thanksgiving ought to be giving thanks every day, not just the fourth Thursday in November.

The words of my father ring true: “Always count your blessings.” I was raised during a long period of economic depression. Although now we are dealing with war tensions, higher gas prices and food prices, many people are still able to satisfy their needs based on the money they earn. Unfortunately, there are some who struggle financially and occasionally require additional assistance.

It was Nido Qubein, president of High Point University in North Carolina, who I first heard say “We should give without remembering. And receive without forgetting.” That philosophy has served me well through many years as an educator, sports official and author. As a teacher and high school principal, I had decades of opportunities to be part of thousands of young people’s lives. Hopefully, I was able to transmit to our youth the importance of giving.

Being involved in sports all my life, I learned many things. Number one, it’s not about me. It’s about the T*E*A*M (Together Everyone Accomplishes More). That same philosophy served me well as an NFL official. That philosophy as a crew chief, with a crew of seven that became a family on the field, was to serve the game of football better. My question after every one of my more than 500 NFL games was:  Did I leave the game today better than I found it?

What I hear from some of today’s sports stars is: “I told y’all, I’m not putting any more on my back” meaning I am avoiding responsibility to help my team any further. This betrays the philosophy of giving and helping others. We need more of those who go out of their way to help others.

Will you remember to give without remembering and receive without forgetting?

—————

Holiday Gifts For The Sports Fan

Jim’s famous Bobblehead is still available for $30. He has added one of his books (your choice – you pick one from his website www.jimtunney.com) at no extra charge.

Shop here.

To contact Jim, go to www.jimtunney.com  or email jim@jimtunney.com.

Posted in Sports, Tunney Side of Sports Columns | Leave a comment