On The TunneySide of Sports January 7, 2019 #726 Up next… Black Monday

After further review… There are only a few really exciting jobs in the world– playing or coaching in the NFL sure sounds like two of them. However, when you experience what took place as we close the 2018 regular season, you might want to adjust your sights. Twenty-five percent of NFL coaches were fired this season. Okay, so maybe you just want to be a player. In August each season some 90-100 players are invited to each team’s pre-season camp. By early September only 53 remain on the T*E*A*M roster – that’s about 50 percent! It happens every year! But, firing 8 of the 32 head coaches this year is bound to catch one’s attention.

A couple of statements by former NFL coaches to keep in mind about these firings. The late Oail Andrew “Bum” Phillips of the Houston Oilers (1975-1980) once told me: “There are two kinds of coaches – ones that’s been fired and ones that’s about to be fired.” Former Philadelphia Eagles and St. Louis Rams head coach, Dick Vermeil, once said, “In the NFL you don’t get paid to coach, you get paid to win.” None of those fired this season have their team in this year’s playoffs.

There are some surprises. Green Bay Packers fired long-time (2006–2018) head coach Mike McCarthy, who won Super Bowl (XLV) and often had the Packers in the playoffs. McCarthy was fired mid-season – not a usual occurrence. Already he has been mentioned as a candidate for several vacancies. Hue Jackson, head coach of the Cleveland Browns fired early in the 2018 season, is now a candidate for a couple of these vacancies. It’s called the “NFL Carrousel.”

Marv Lewis, 16 years as head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals was 0-7 in the playoffs, and this year finished in last place in the AFC North division.  Steve Wilks, head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, fired after a 3-13 season. It was only Wilks first season, which is somewhat unusual. Is one year enough time to fairly judge a head coach’s capabilities?

Also fired on Black Monday were Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos (6-10); and Todd Bowles, New York Jets (4-12), both with first year quarterbacks. Also released were Adam Gase, head coach of the Miami Dolphins (7-9)) and Dick Koetter, head coach of the Tampa Bay Bucs ( 5-11), whose teams suffered costly injuries. Looks like Phillips and Vermeil summed it up pretty well.

Will you log-in with your thoughts on the firings of NFL head coaches?

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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. 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!

On The TunneySide of Sports December 24, 2018 #724 Up next… “Giving Back!

After further review… This column has been, on more than one occasion, critical of professional athletes, especially NFL players, who have been guilty of egregious behavior. These athletes know better, yet for some reason allow their good judgment to slip away and fall into misbehavior. Having been on the field with so many wonderful NFL players for more than three decades, I have witnessed many more who have outstanding character and a willingness to help others. This past Christmas/Holiday season is no exception.

Now in its  third year, the NFL has allowed personalization of cleats during pre-game activities. The campaign is called “My Cause, My Cleats” which allows players to write special messages on their shoes, called cleats, to honor a charity of their choice. This is for pre-game only, but not allowed during the game itself and permitted only during NFL Weeks 13-16. The player then may auction-off those cleats raising money for his chosen charity.

The topics those players selected for this 2018 season vary from bullying prevention, to helping those with Autism, to families impacted  by gun violence and a variety of other causes. Players share images of their cleats and the stories behind them on social media using the hashtag #mycausemycleats. While this program is new, I have witnessed hundreds of NFL players over the years create their own foundation donating their money, time and energy to charities.

In addition to NFL players, NFL game officials continue a Christmas/Holiday season tradition that started in the 1970s of donating money, food, clothing, etc. to a charity of their choice. Some examples: one crew assesses each of the seven plus the replay official donating more than $100,000 in 12 years by making contributions to Children’s Burn Camp, Louisville Downs Syndrome Foundation, food shelters and other charities. Another crew this season has voted to donate their money to the Boys and Girls Club of St. Paul, MN., with matching funds, thereby doubling their gift. Another crew is donating their funds to Young Life designated for high school students throughout the country.

All 17 NFL crews donate substantially to charities each Christmas/Holiday season in addition to whatever they donate through their own family giving. Further, most are also involved in their own communities donating personal time, energy and money to those in need. Indeed, NFL game officials consider it a privilege to work on the NFL field.

Will you consider it a privilege to help others in need?

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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. 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!