Entitlement

Posted on October 31, 2022 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports
October 31, 2022
#924 Up next…

After further review… “No, you’re not entitled to more than one candy” (Sort of my Halloween joke).

Entitlement carries the definition “give right(s) to.” Parents give certain rights to their children. Football coaches often give their quarterbacks the right to alter a pre-set play – called an audible. The operative word in this definition of entitlement is give. Someone must give the right to another.

Today’s parents are often concerned about young people who “feel” they automatically have rights without them being given. This is in no way in conflict with what “certain inalienable rights” means. Many generations before never felt they were entitled to anything that they didn’t earn. If they didn’t earn it, they didn’t get it. Period!

This now leads us to today’s sports stars. The opinion here is that there is a difference between sports stars and athletes, who by the definition herein are those who carry the responsibility of earning what they gain. Entitlement is not even in their dictionary. Athletes, by the definition here, don’t feel entitled to status, fame, money, etc., until after they have earned them. Take notice of a police blotter report that lists NFL players and other NFL employees who have been arrested.

These arrests were for traffic tickets, DUI, assaults, thefts, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, possession of drugs, carrying a concealed weapon, and domestic violence. Why does this happen? How can they be allowed to represent the shield of the NFL, and more importantly, how, and when will they learn to avoid such maleficence?

Herm Edwards, former head coach of college and professional football teams has often said, “Playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right. Players and coaches must honor that (NFL) shield through their behavior and stature.” May we add, college players must also honor their college/university history and traditions.

We thank those many players who do listen and do honor exemplary leadership!

Will you pattern your behavior after those who honor and respect traditions and the “shield?”

—————

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

The Inspiration of a Huddle!

Posted on October 24, 2022 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

Jack Kemp
On the TunneySide of Sports
October 24, 2022
#923 Up next…

After further review… The Inspiration of a Huddle!

After further review… Jack Kemp and I were strangely connected during his lifetime. He died on May 2, 2009, some 23 years ago. “Strangely” is an interesting word to use in our relationship. Kemp attended Fairfax High School in West Hollywood playing football as well as being the student body president. When he graduated, he attended Occidental College, located in northeast Los Angeles. He was a physical education major. But he was much more than that.

Jack was an excellent quarterback at Oxy and was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers of the American Football League – yes, the San Diego Chargers, which is now the Los Angeles Chargers. In 1960 he was selected as All-Pro. That same year I was invited to join the National Football League -as an official. My brother, Peter, was a freshman running back at OXY when Jack was a senior. Kemp once told me that Pete would have been on the same team, but freshmen were not eligible to play on the varsity in those days.

Years later I  was appointed principal at Fairfax which was several years after I had graduated from Occidental College – as a physical education major. In 1985 OXY, as it is known,  presented me with their Gold Seal Award. The keynote speaker at that event was – Jack Kemp.  Kemp had served in the City of Buffalo as a House of Representatives for 18 years. Further, he was the HUD secretary under George Bush (#41) and ran for vice president under Bob Dole.

Kemp has always been a T*E*A*M player. He said you don’t step into the huddle to call a play and look around to see who is white or black or Samoan or where they grew up. You know your players for what they can do to help your T*E*A*M be successful on that play, and you count on that. Kemp sent me this story as an example: “When I was quarterback and captain of the Chargers, we were scheduled to play the Houston Oilers in Houston for the Championship. Traditionally, the night before the game, the coach took us to a movie. As we sat down, I looked around and wondered where our black players were and was told they had to sit in the ‘black-only balcony’. I went to our coach and said, ‘Get all the guys, we’re outa here’. In that silent, powerful demonstration of our belief  in equality, living and working as a team, we walked out as a team.” We could use Kemp today – both on and off the field.

Will you use the huddle as an inspiration for all you do to work together?

—————

Jack Kemp, former quarterback, Congressman, and HUD secretary sent me this story. You can find it in “Chicken Soup for the Sports Fans Soul” which will be sent FREE when you purchase Jim’s Bobblehead for $30.

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

Posted in NFL, Sports, Tunney Side of Sports Columns | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Thanks Mom!

Posted on October 16, 2022 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports
October 17, 2022 #922
Up next…

After further review…

Since Steve Young, Pro Football Hall of Famer and former All-Pro Quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers is prominent on the ESPN Monday Night Football pre-game show each and every Monday night I thought you might like to see a story that he sent me.

“I have often been told that I am a quarterback with the mindset of a running back. People always commented on my ability to scramble, yet that wasn’t always my style. All professional athletes retain vivid memories of events that helped mold them into the players they turn out to be. Here’s the story that marks the beginning of my scrambling career.

“I was nine years old and playing in a competitive game of Pop Warner football. I played running back for the north Mianus (Riverside, Connecticut). We were playing against the Belle Haven Buzzards and our quarterback tossed me the ball. I took a few tentative steps and while I was trying to figure out where I should run, I was tackled. It was an illegal neck tackle that threw me on my back and knocked the wind out of me.

As I tried to catch my breath, I saw my parents run onto the field toward me. I thought, ‘Oh, gosh, please Mom, go back to the sideline’. See, it’s okay to have my dad run onto the field, but it was certainly not cool to have my mother come charging over with him. When they finally reached me, and much to my surprise, as my father bent down to see how I was doing, my mom leapt over me, ran several more yards, and grabbed the kid who had tackled me. She picked him up off the ground by his jersey, she shook him, and shouted, “Don’t you ever neck tackle!”

Needless to say, I was fine but I’m not sure that kid ever recovered from the shock. From that moment forth, I learned to scramble, and quickly. I lived in fear of being tackled and had visions of my mother storming onto the field to reprimand the tackler. So, through a little motivation from my mom, I learned that there are tremendous advantages to scrambling and avoiding tacklers”.

Will you learn proper techniques in playing any game?

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

—————

This story was printed in Chicken Soup for the Sports Fans Soul which was co-authored by Dr. Jim Tunney. This book is available on his website (above) for $20 with his personal autograph and as a special – the second book of your choice from his website will be included. Shipping is FREE.

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

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