George Washington lives on!

Posted on February 17, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports February 17, 2020 #783 Up next... George Washington lives on!On the TunneySide of Sports February 17, 2020 #783 Up next… George Washington lives on!

After further review… It seems appropriate that today’s article reflects on that age-old expression relating to our first president, General George Washington, when he uttered his famous “I cannot tell a lie.”  I cannot tell a lie, I did it with my little hatchet is historically referred to little George when confronted by his father as to who cut down that cherry tree. While it may be apocryphal, it is often used as a guide for children to always tell the truth. It also may be appropriate as we celebrate Presidents Day.

No, this has nothing to do with our current US president. You can make up your own mind on that one. It has to do with transparency, which may apply to our current political mess. The sports transparency question is: Are game officials telling you the truth when making an on-field call? Or are they just making them up — AKA C.Y.A.?

2020 Major League Baseball Umpires will use the microphone to explain to the stadium crowd as well as the television audience what the call was and the rule that applies to it. That explanation will be the responsibility of the crew chief. The National Football League has required its on-field referee (also called the crew chief) to do that. The National Basketball Association has yet to follow. Stay tuned.

Transparency has been a keyword in recent political issues as well as in other entities. Why is transparency so in vogue today? The TunneySide feels that we have lost trust in others. In the NFL – before replay was adopted – the players and coaches, as well as fans, trusted on-field officials. While they might not have agreed with the call, they seem to accept that the on-field officials were honest and doing the best they could.

They still are today, yet their integrity is questioned as well as the call they make. In the NFL once the coach throws the challenge (red) flag the referee reviews that play. The coach  accepts the replay decision. Hmmm. Trust in the automation, but not the individual?

We have lost something when that gets to be the mode. Trust is paramount in sports as well as in society. We have lost that trust when we allow the video to replace human dignity. Of course, there are plays that may be mistakenly called (human error) where replay can help.

Will you trust the  judgment and decisions of others as you would like them to trust you?

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To 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!

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Super Bowl Sunday

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports February 10, 2020 #782 Up next… Super Bowl Sunday

After further review… A few years ago I co-authored a book titled: ‘Super Bowl Sunday – The Day America Stops‘ presented by CBS Sports and edited by author and sports journalist Matt Fulks. My contribution was focused on Super Bowl XI played between Minnesota Vikings and Oakland Raiders in the Pasadena Rose Bowl on January 9, 1977. Oakland won  32-14. It was the first Super Bowl played in that iconic stadium and I was the referee.

It was special to me since my dad, Jim Sr. was the referee in the college Rose Bowl game on January 1, 1947, between Illinois and U.C.L.A – the latter won 45-14. Exactly thirty years later – to the month – I officiated Super Bowl XI in that same stadium as my dad.

I have been fortunate to be associated with the National Football League for 60 years as it celebrates its 100th year!

Recently, Super Bowl LIV between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs was a good football game to watch as I sat in my living room rooting for – wait for it – the third T*E*A*M – the officiating crew! The Chiefs won 31-21 and the officials did a masterful job.

It was also exciting to watch the announcement of the 2020 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class that will be inducted in August. It’s a special induction since the Pro Football HoF committee decided to reach back and induct players, coaches, and contributors from past playing days. Unfortunately, there was no mention of game officials.

It was a great Super Bowl weekend as well as honoring players and coaches who were selected to be in this special Class of 100. As I watched it was interesting for me since I was on the field with almost all of them. Gratefully, my 60 years in the NFL have served me well.

Certainly, my working with and my association with the NFL had its influence on my 40 years in the school business, as a teacher, coach, and high school principal. It was fun being on the school grounds each week with students and teachers who wanted to visit about NFL games.

As a professional speaker for over 40 years working with Fortune 500 companies, corporations, small and large businesses, and a variety of associations as well as educators and youth groups the NFL had an extra special influence.

Further, the honor of being inducted into six Halls of Fame may not have happened were it not for my 31-years as an NFL on-field official working four Super Bowls. I count my blessings.

Will you express your gratitude for the blessings that come your way?

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To 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!

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Kobe – A Tribute!

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports February 3, 2020 #781 Up next… Kobe –A Tribute!

After further review… “I will always be that kid with the rolled-up socks, garbage can in the corner, ball in my hand, five seconds on the clock, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…” Bang! That’s the way Kobe lived his life and tragically–so tragically- that’s the way his life ended. That Sikorsky S-76 helicopter fell helplessly from the sky over Calabasas, California crashing into a field that left nine people dead including Kobe Bryant, his 13-year old daughter, Gianna, called Gigi, a talented basketball player, and seven other close friends.

The group was on its way to Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks for a basketball camp. While each of their deaths was a great loss, the passing of Kobe caught the eye of the world. Yes, indeed, Kobe was an international legend. While the TunneySide has often derided the use of the term G.O.A.T., it is vital now that we place the name of K.O.B.E. there!

When this 17-18-year old kid from Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania declared he was not going to college, but straight into the National Basketball Association, many were skeptical that any youth could perform at that level. Still, the Charlotte Hornets drafted him in the 13th round; then immediately traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers. Not many, maybe no one, expected much from this high school kid with no college basketball experience, let alone education. Well, maybe NBA Hall of Famer, Jerry West did. Kobe spoke 3 languages fluently.

Few can achieve the status of having a single name. Although he had Bryant on the back of his playing jersey, he played for the name on the front – Los Angeles Lakers for 20 years. But he was always known as Kobe. Not many can achieve that status – Wilt, Michael, LeBron, Shaq, Magic, Kareem, Oscar and maybe a couple of others. When Kobe was asked why he changed his Lakers number from “8” to “24,” he is reported to have said, “That’s what I think about basketball. I think about it 24-hours a day!”

He always was moving on. Following his last game (scoring 60-points BTW), he made a documentary movie called Dear Basketball, for which he won an Oscar – it’s good to be in Hollywood! Kobe said, “I did everything for you (basketball) because that’s what you do when someone makes you feel as alive as you made me feel.”

His real love turned to his family with his daughter, Gigi, competing as a 13-year old basketball phenom. Both Kobe and Gigi didn’t choose the way they died (none of us do). But they did choose the way to do something they both loved doing – playing basketball — 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… God Bless you all!

Will you give your thoughts and prayers to your loved ones who have moved on?

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To 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 Sports, Tunney Side of Sports Columns | Tagged | Leave a comment