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

Teachers are Coaches!

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

On the TunneySide of Sports January 27, 2020 #780 Up next… Teachers Are Coaches!

After further review… At age 12, I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be a coach. Certainly, my dad, who was my hero and mentor, had an influence on that decision. He coached only 8 years but attempted to guide me in other directions. Maybe the fact that those 8 years were during the Great Depression (the 1930s) had a bearing on his thinking. He worked three jobs (teacher/coach–sports official–playground director), which perhaps created a great financial and physical challenge. He lived to be only 59 years of age.

He was such a role model for me that I spent my school years studying coaches and teachers analyzing not only their teaching methods and style but the way they helped their students learn and behave. Yes, behave! The ones I  was able to learn from best were the ones who were interested in me as a person, not just what my grades were.

Later as an inner-city high school principal for 10 years I coached teachers to help them understand that in the classroom each of them was a coach. On the field or court, coaches want each player to be successful. Only when each player does that can the T*E*A*M be successful. In the classroom, it is not pitting one student against another, but getting the most out of each to become successful. Thus, my philosophy for schools is ‘Every kid is a winner!’

I was reminded of that as I watched the four head coaches in the NFL championship games a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been fortunate to be on the NFL field for more than three decades with some 300 NFL head coaches. Unfortunately, I will be omitting many of them as I cite these: Andy Reid, Kansas City Chiefs; Mike Vrabel, Tennessee Titans; Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers; and Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers. I observed not who won or lost, but how each interacted with his players. I was impressed.

In victory or defeat, each of these four displayed a mature manner and treated each of their players with respect. That doesn’t mean they weren’t tough on them. When discipline had to be done, each seemed to conclude with the attitude – C’mon you and we are better than that! Further, the players’ behavior toward their on-field opponent was one of respect.

Will you be a coach to others who might need your help?

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