Count your blessings!

Posted on November 25, 2019 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports November 25, 2019 #771 Up next…Count your blessings!

After further review…When you celebrate Thanksgiving this Thursday with gratitude for all that has and will be coming your way, may I start by counting my blessings with thanks to all of you who read the TunneySide each week. As you may note we now number 771 and climbing!

This week, we bring a story from the past, but, oh, so appropriate:

This teenager lived alone with his father and they enjoyed a special relationship. Although small in size, he loved football and, though not of much ability, decided to play on his high school team. His father encouraged him but made it clear he didn’t have to play if he didn’t want to.

The young boy did play and never missed a practice or a game but was a bench warmer all four years. His father was always in the stands with words of encouragement and never missed a game as well. With his determination, the boy, now a young man, went to college and decided to try out for football. His coach kept him on the roster because of the spirit and hustle he always provided. When he survived the cut, he was so thrilled he called his father and said he was sending him game tickets.

Although he never got to play during his four college years, he continued — never missing a practice or a game. He was now a senior and his team made the playoffs. During a practice before that big game, the coach called him into his office and handed him a telegram. After reading the telegram, the young man swallowed hard and remained silent for a while. Then he said to the coach that his father had died that morning and was it all right if he missed practice that day. The coach said, of course, put his arm around the young man and told him to take the rest of the week off and don’t even plan to come back for the playoff game on Saturday.

The young man did show up for the game on Saturday. During the game, he pleaded with his coach to let him play – his last game. The coach figuring what harm could he do, and said, “All right, you can go in.” Once into the game, the players along with everyone couldn’t believe their eyes. This little unknown who had never played before was doing everything he could. He ran with the ball, passed, blocked, and tackled like never before, intercepted a pass and scored the winning touchdown. The stands were on their feet cheering and applauding.

After the game in the locker room, the coach came to him and said, “I can’t believe it! You were fantastic! How’d you do it?’ With tears in his eyes, the young man said, “Well, you know my dad died and though he came to all my games, you never met him. He continued, “My dad was blind, and today was the first time he could see me play. I wanted to show him I could.”

Will you give such encouragement to others with thanks for the opportunity you have to do so?

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Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports

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. Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly. These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others. 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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Superstitions?

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports November 18, 2019 #770 Up next...Superstitions?

On the TunneySide of Sports November 18, 2019, #770 Up next… Superstitions?

After further review… When Houston Rockets All-Star James Harden walked onto the court recently as he prepared to play the Golden State Warriors, he made the sign of the cross. A gesture that many athletes perform. Does it help or is it just a ritual? Or is it perhaps a recognition to a higher power for giving him the opportunity to play professional basketball? Does Harden whose field goal percentage ranks him in the 36–38% of all NBA players need that help? Is it his way of being grateful? Is he trying to ensure success?

I am reminded of the story of the Catholic priest who invited his Jewish Rabbi friend to attend a Los Angeles Dodgers game (Mr. O’Malley was always generous to the religious). As they watched a Dominican Republic player step into the batter’s box, he made the sign of the cross. The rabbi said to the priest, “Will that help him?” The priest said, “Not if he can’t hit.”

If you laugh or disavow sports stars that have traits of superstition, are you any different? Do you always put your left sock and shoe on first (or vice-versa)? Do you even notice? Do you care? If you are right-handed but place your left thumb on top of your right thumb when you fold your fingers does it feel awkward?

Is it superstition or just routine? Most athletes have physical tasks they observe/perform. For example. basketball players at the free-throw line bounce the ball “X” times before shooting. Golfers have exacting routines before each shot. Many say those are not superstitions, but rituals. Is there a difference? Baseball players will not step on the baselines or bag when entering or leaving the field.

As an NFL referee. I avoided stepping on sidelines upon entering the field. After tossing the coin prior to the opening kickoff. I would run to my position at the goal line, turn toward the field with my hands behind me and tap the padding around the goal post. This was a reminder to concentrate on the kickoff and focus on my job.

You can call them superstitions, rituals, routines or whatever, but if it helps increase your level of concentration, it is probably something you should continue. Loss of focus may be the number one reason for failure, which is to be avoided at all times.

Will you comment on how superstitions or routines help you in your job?

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If you were unable to attend the book signing at River House Book Store recently ”Yet Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports” is available there for $20 or by sending a check to Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3) P.O Box 1440 Pebble Beach, Ca. 93953 includes personalized autograph and free shipping.

This offer is available to the continental United States only.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports

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. Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly. These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others. 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

Playing for Profits

Posted on November 11, 2019 by Jim Tunney Ed.D

On the TunneySide of Sports November 11, 2019, #769 … Playing for Profit

After further review…California is, for the most part, a progressive state. I am proud to be a native Californian, for the most part. We put our trust in our governing officials who, for the most part, make decisions in our best interests. However, our Governor signed a bill that would allow college athletes to hire a sports agent who would contact companies that allow them to pay college athletes for the use of the athlete’s name, image, and likeness. Goals and limits have yet to be established. It’s akin to our California wildfires that have no boundaries.

The NCAA recently voted to permit their other Division I colleges to do the same with the caveat that necessary rules be in place by January 2021. This new opportunity for college athletes to receive financial assistance is fraught with problems. It is the opinion of the TunneySide that profit from the use of an athlete’s NIL is against the amateur code. Today’s rules permit college athletes on athletic scholarships to be provided with tuition, room and board, books and a cost-of-attendance stipend of $2,000 to $5,000 per semester using federal guidelines determined by that institution. Do you see some concerns?

As an example, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) today is a dominate football conference.   Do you think athletes recruited by those colleges stay within the stipend guidelines? This is not an accusation but does create possibilities. Colleges for many years have been suspended or fined for recruiting violations. Can you foresee a future issue with this new legislation where violations may occur? This new legislation will not be in effect until January 2023. Is that enough time to invoke and administer guidelines?

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, both NBA All-Stars, who bypassed college and went directly from high school to the NBA are in support of these new rules. Both were identified as potential NBA superstars while in high school. Already the next high school superstar has been identified. He is 15-year old Emoni Bates a 6’9” sophomore at Lincoln High School in Ypsilanti, Michigan, who will be 19 in 2023 when this law becomes effective. Many have said he is equal or better than LeBron, Kobe, and Durant at that age. What kind of offers will he get?

What is of more concern is the equity involved. What if you are not the star of your college T*E*A*M (Together Everyone Accomplishes More) but a supporting athlete just not getting the accolades, and thus not drawing the attention of agents; thereby not receiving a companies’ endorsement. How effective will that team be working together? Just asking…

Will you comment on concerns you have – or do not have – about paying college athletes?

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If you were unable to attend the book signing at River House Book Store recently ”Yet Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports” is available there for $20 or by sending a check to Jim Tunney Youth Foundation (501c3) P.O Box 1440 Pebble Beach, Ca. 93953 includes personalized autograph and free shipping.

This offer is available to the continental United States only.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports

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. Be sure to get Jim’s book ‘Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports’ by clicking this link or using the email above to contact Jim directly. These TunneySides take issues from real-life situations and relate them as inspiration for the betterment of others. 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, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment