On The TunneySide of Sports November 26, 2018 #720 Up next… If it’s to be, it’s up to me

After further review… “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” This quote attributed to President Abraham Lincoln gives rise to this. While you may be thinking that this is about the United States of America, given the current lack of civility and lack of moral compass within our nation, let me remind one and all this column focuses on sports.

So, please allow me to use the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association as an example that recently occurred within their organization. During a game against the Los Angeles Clippers, a Warriors player was unhappy with a teammate for not passing the ball to him during an important play near the end of a game. The disgruntled player got in-the-face of his teammate with some unkind words.  The Warriors lost that game. (Editor’s note: The players names are omitted because it’s their behavior that is in question.)

The Warriors have been the “apple-of-the-eye” in the NBA for their teamwork and selfless play. Their championships and scoring records are hard to match. However, when this incident occurred it became an example-to-be-made-of. The disgruntled player was suspended and fined $125,000 for his on-court behavior. While he did sit-out his one-game suspension, he appealed his fine. Moreover, he refused to apologize for his on-court behavior stating: “I wear my behavior on my sleeve; that’s just the way I am and I’m not going to change.” Hmmm!

This is the attitude that precedes family discord as well as team disharmony. What needs to be done? First and foremost, one of the two needs to put his ego aside (someone once said: E-G-O is Edging God Out) and step-forward to resolve this quibbling. The other party then needs to accept and forgive the party-of-the-first part. If neither of the above takes place, it affects the  T*E*A*M and, in this case, the entire organization.

Because the Warriors have had such great success in recent years, many are asking about their dynasty and how other teams will compete with such prolonged success. This discord may be their answer. However, the management of this team has a history of being able to resolve these kinds of issues. Abe Lincoln prevails!

Will you be the one to help resolve a dispute should it occur on your T*E*A*M?

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Christmas Gifts For The Ardent Sports Fans!

Get 4 books authored by Jim Tunney, 1 DVD and Jim Tunney’s Bobblehead for the low price of $59 plus $14 Priority Mail Shipping (USA only) while supplies last.

Keep the entire bundle for yourself or give the individual items as gifts this holiday season.

If you would like this bundle shipped outside of the USA please contact Jim at jim@jimtunney.com for a shipping quote.

Buy Now

 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 November 19, 2018 #719 Up next… On Being Grateful

After further review…  With the Thanksgiving holiday arriving this week (Wow! – already?) I am reminded to “count your blessings,” as my father regularly reminded me. As a native Californian, I anguish for those affected by this month’s horrific fires. Lives were lost; homes and personal possessions destroyed; families disrupted! Hopefully, those affected will gather their strengths and courage to move-on. Easy to say; hard to do. Prayers continue.

As a former NFL on-field official, I am certainly grateful for my 31-year career with the league. As my long-time friend Herm Edwards, now Arizona State Head Football Coach and former NFL player and coach has said “playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right.” Try telling that to LeVeon Bell, erstwhile running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Erstwhile, since Bell decided to forego this 2018 season. He did not report to pre-season training camp nor to the Steelers regular season, because the Steelers placed a “franchise tag” on him for this year. A franchise tag is a way teams try to retain their best unrestricted free agent, which Bell had decided to be.

Not reporting to the T*E*A*M by Tuesday, November 14, 2018, Bell missed out on his $14.5 million in salary. If Bell had reported last week, he would have been paid $855,000 for doing nothing but staying home. Bell was seeking an extension on his $14.5 tender that would provide him “long-term financial security.” The guy on-the-street is heard to say, “Huh?” Bell is considered one of the premier running backs in the NFL and hopes that becoming a free agent another team will sign him next year agreeing to his salary demands. There is no issue here with Bell wanting to negotiate an extension, but if he doesn’t get it, one wonders what other job in the real-world would pay him what his current Steelers contract is offering?

“Often players who do not report wanting a better ‘deal’ from another team are more than likely not to get it.” I’ve heard that from more than one NFL coach or general manager. That player then returns to his former team or, embarrassedly, takes less than he wanted. Speaking of T*E*A*M, wonder what Bell’s current thinking is about how has abandoned his team – a team with playoff potential. Granted, his replacement, James Conner is doing a good job. A running back drafted in the third round in 2017 from University of Pittsburgh, Conner has a four-year contract of $3,161,523 – a far cry from Bell’s one-year contract of $14,544.000.

How will you express gratitude for your blessings?

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Christmas Gifts For The Ardent Sports Fans!

Get 4 books authored by Jim Tunney, 1 DVD and Jim Tunney’s Bobblehead for the low price of $59 plus $14 Priority Mail Shipping (USA only) while supplies last.

Keep the entire bundle for yourself or give the individual items as gifts this holiday season.

If you would like this bundle shipped outside of the USA please contact Jim at jim@jimtunney.com for a shipping quote.

Buy Now

 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!