Virtual NFL Draft

Posted on May 4, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

goodell virtual draft 2020On the TunneySide of Sports May 4, 2020 #794 Up next… Virtual NFL Draft 2020

After further review… The weekend of April 23-25, 2020 produced the most innovative National Football League draft in its 100-year history! The first draft was held in 1936, some 16 years after the league began. That draft was held in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia. Ninety names were written on a blackboard in a meeting room from which the teams would choose. There were just 9 teams. My, how times have changed.

The biggest change might have happened this year. With the world and our country sheltering-in-place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, everything had to be different. The foremost tragedy is the deaths of thousands followed closely by the infection of millions throughout the world. As this is written the U.S.A. reports over one million deaths. Moreover, businesses have shut down; millions of US citizens are out of work, and schools closed.

Further, with sports available only on television, fans are anxious for this coronavirus to be settled. The 2020 Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan this coming summer had to be postponed until 2021. For many, the cancellation of Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association season, National League Hockey, and high school, as well as college athletics being curtailed, was beyond belief. Some of these sports are attempting to start up again this summer.

With all these questions, and few — if any — answers assured, Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the National Football League, who had no assurance of playing the NFL 2020 season, scheduled and executed the 2020 draft. With orders nationally, as well as state edicts to not have gatherings of more than 10 people, how and where could such a draft be held?

The 2019 NFL draft held in Nashville Tennessee in April 2019 had an estimated crowd of 600,000 with a 47.5 million television audience. Since those numbers and more were expected in Las Vegas, Nevada for the 2020 draft, how could that be possible?

Up steps Commissioner Goodell with a positive approach and with technology-in-hand orchestrated a virtual draft. All done from his “man-cave” (aka basement) in his home and with all NFL general managers and coaches as well as every potential NFL player-prospect in their homes – all at separate locations. A viewing audience was reportedly 51 million. Further, Goodell has reduced salaries within the NFL office and cut his salary to zero for 2020.

What does this say about having faith that COVID-19 can be defeated? Moreover, how can the draft system in any professional sport utilize innovative approaches to improve?

Will you log-in your thoughts about virtual vs gatherings in the draft system?

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The New Normal

Posted on April 27, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

Yogi Berra QuoteOn the TunneySide of Sports April 27, 2020 #793 Up next… The New Normal

After further review… So, what is the “new normal?” Many writers have been proclaiming that after we rid ourselves of COVID-19 and are free of this pandemic, life will be different. Is that bad? It has been said that “The trouble with the future, is the future isn’t what it used to be!” Leaving our comfort zone can be frightening, but also exciting and a learning experience!

From Arnold Glasow and Mark Twain to Peter Drucker and Zig Ziglar, speakers and authors have been writing and preaching about those times when the future will be different. Even that noted philosopher (and occasional New York Yankee catcher) Yogi Berra, in his book “I Really Didn’t Say Everything I Said,” is quoted as saying, “Trouble with the future it ain’t what it used to be.” Will that be the new normal?

With our country and the world some five weeks (at this writing) without sporting events, we wonder what sporting events will look like when resumed? Will sports be held without spectators? And if spectators are allowed, will they have to sit 6-feet apart (social distancing)? Will the 2020 Olympics, now scheduled for postponement until 2021 in Tokyo actually occur then? One renowned Japanese person said it may not happen even in 2021.

Will those qualified Olympic athletes who have primed their peak performances to be at their best just 3 months from this writing be able to regroup their abilities 15 months away? What if you are one of those who have qualified for an Olympic event, yet in the coming year another athlete exceeds your mark/record, does that athlete replace you?

What about high school and college athletes in their senior/final year at their educational institution, do they remain or just move on and lose that year of competition? Ah, yes, the answers to these questions and many more must be addressed. That may be the new normal!

The TunneySide has always believed that we have solved unusual problems in the past. We will somehow find the best solutions for these as well. As my Speakers Roundtable colleague and author Dan Burrus has said, ”Leverage disruption of any kind by realigning your focus.”

Will you log-in your thoughts about these and other issues caused by this pandemic?

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Jim Tunney BobbleheadTo contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more.

Jim’s bobblehead ($30) and latest book ($20) “101 Best of TunneySide of Sports” are available at Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3) P.O. Box 1440 Pebble Beach, Ca, 93953. Includes autograph and free S&H. Thank You!

Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!

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

Preparation and Courage!

Posted on April 20, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

Super Bowl XI Jim Tunney RefereeOn the TunneySide of Sports April 20, 2020 #792 Up next… Preparation and Courage!

After further review… At approximately 12:25 PM on Sunday, January 9, 1977, I was pacing the floor when a woman approached and asked if I was the referee for today’s game? Kickoff at 1:00 PM. We were just off the playing field of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. I had been in that stadium many times before, starting when I accompanied my dad as he officiated high school and junior college games there. On more than one of those games, Pasadena Junior College had a player (#28 I believe) named Jackie Robinson. (I write this April 15, 2020, 73 years after JRR broke into Major League Baseball) Further, I had played college football on that same field as well as having refereed high school, and college games there.

I was about to walk onto that field with 103,000 fans and an NBC broadcast team of Curt Gowdy and Don Meredith as well as Vicki Carr who was to sing “America the Beautiful” in place of our National Anthem awaiting. After I did identify myself as the referee for Super Bowl XI to be played between the Oakland Raiders and the Minnesota Vikings, the lady then asked, “Are you nervous?” “No, I answered, I’m never nervous!” “Really, she said, then what are you doing in the ladies’ room?”

I was not nervous, but certainly had great anticipation for what was about to take place. I recall that incident since all of us anticipate what we are facing with the COVID-19 Pandemic. As I prepared for Super Bowl XI, it was an honest preparation that left me with confidence for what I was about to face that Sunday afternoon.

The question now is, how confident are we with our preparation for what we face in this pandemic? Do we follow the suggested guidelines of consistent hand washing, safe distancing (6 feet), using face masks, and stay-at-home procedures? Or do we mull through ignoring those guidelines? It can happen in anything we perform on a regular basis.

The courage one faces in the realm of officiating is one of self-confidence. It’s that same belief we need to sustain during this never-before-experience we are now facing. There are times in every game where a referee, player or coach may let down their guard (that is a happening, not a position). That is when trouble often occurs.

Will you maintain all that is necessary to be safe during this pandemic?

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Jim Tunney BobbleheadTo contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com. Jim’s books are full of inspiration and interesting stories. Please visit his online store to learn more.

Jim’s bobblehead ($30) and latest book ($20) “101 Best of TunneySide of Sports” are available at Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3) P.O. Box 1440 Pebble Beach, Ca, 93953. Includes autograph and free S&H. Thank You!

Jim is available for speaking engagements on leadership and T*E*A*M Building. His books are available for $20 which includes shipping and tax. The Tunney Bobblehead is available for $30. Please visit JimTunney.com. Thank you!

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