A Privilege or a Right?

Mychal-Kendricks-Insider-e1536288670593-800x445On The TunneySide of Sports October 15, 2018 #714 Up next… A Privilege or a Right?

After further review… While On the TunneySide of Sports takes issues and stories from all sports, it attempts to focus on current topics, suggesting that they be transformed into positive messages for everyday living. This column often discusses the NFL, because it is currently in-play and the writer spent much of his life involved with issues therein.

As this is being written Mychal Kendricks has been suspended by the NFL for “insider trading of stocks”. He was charged and admitted that he did so knowing it was illegal. He stated “I worked my tail off since I was 5 years old to become the player I am today. While I was drawn to the allure of being more than just a football player, I knew it was wrong and wholeheartedly regret my actions.” He profited by more than $1.2 million! While his admission is admirable, it will still get him jail time. Insider trading is a felony. When it came to light, the Cleveland Browns released him. Between the time of his release and his sentencing, the Seattle Seahawks picked him up (he was legally eligible to play) where he played in three games making 13 solo tackles and 3 sacks. Huh? Is playing In the NFL a privilege or a right?

The Seahawks made the headlines again recently, when free safety Earl Thomas was injured suffering a lower leg fracture in a game vs the Arizona Cardinals, ending his short season. As he left the field on a cart, Thomas gave “the finger,” which was visible to fans and the TV audience alike. It is reported that Thomas was unhappy with the Seahawks management over his contract. He was scheduled to make $8.5 million this year, and while he will be paid that amount, he was angry that his contract dispute should have paid him more. Huh? Is playing in the NFL a privilege or a right?

It has been reported that since 2000 there have been a total of 656 arrests of NFL players among 32 teams. With approximately 1700 current NFL players that means some 38% were involved in these arrests. Having spent 31 years (1960-1990) working with players on the field, I have had great respect for the character of those with whom I worked. This latest trend casts a pall on a league that has been a symbol of integrity for nearly a century. Huh? Is playing in the NFL a privilege or a right?

Will you log-in your thoughts on privilege vs rights in playing in the NFL?

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CORRECTION

Many readers responded to the question of the NFL being a privilege or a right from this column.

Thank you for that. However, it was pointed out that the arrest statistics were incorrect. And for that I apologize. Due diligence was not done correctly. My error. It was also mentioned that some, maybe many, believe in giving a second chance to those who redeem themselves by correcting their misbegotten ways. I believe that as well. I also believe for the 31 years I was on the field with thousands of these athletes, that they held themselves to the NFL standard of civility and integrity. It is and always has been a small percentage that create this disparity.

The TunneySide, at times maybe controversial, strives for accuracy and will continue to do so.

Thank you!

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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.comThank you!

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Success and Failure!

On the TUNNEYSIDE of SPORTS October 8, 2018, #713... Success and Failure!On The TunneySide of Sports October 8, 2018 #713 Up next… Success and Failure!

After further review… My Facebook post recently was a reminder: “Don’t let your victories go to your head, or your failures go to your heart!” Since many of you may not be on Facebook, or maybe you are just fed-up with its whole approach, I thought I’d discuss it here.

The TunneySide is about sports — where else can you visibly see success and failure? Sports, in the opinion here, is a metaphor for life. So many traits of successful living, such as character, integrity, working together as a T*E*A*M, resiliency, sacrifice of one’s self for the good of others, etc.

In officiating where I spent much of my life, we use the expression: “You’re only as good as your next call!” No matter how well respected you are, or how many playoffs games or Super Bowls you officiated players, coaches, fans as well as your officiating supervisors want to know “how good will you be today? Your performance has to be better – or least up to standard – every time you put on that uniform. The same criteria apply to players and coaches. Interestingly enough it doesn’t apply to fans or an audience. For others in front of an audience, e.g., actors, professional speakers etc., it applies to them as well.

Many performers are paid after they perform. Others in sports (let’s use the NFL as an example) players sign a contract up-front, getting paid before they step on the field. It is vital that they maintain or exceed their best every time. Failures, e.g., pass interceptions, dropped passes, or missed blocks or tackles are reviewed after every game. A player making those errors must use self-talk and positive reinforcement to regain his confidence in order to return to the quality of play of which he is capable. Thus: don’t let the failures go to your heart! Spending 30 years in teaching, I believe that is part of a teacher’s job– to positive reinforce student confidence.

Unfortunately, when it comes to letting victories go to your head, many sports stars have a need to celebrate beyond reason. “Act like you’ve been there before” is an old expression, and trite. But trite, because it’s true! Respect for your opponent as well as for the game itself is a characteristic that is lost on many. When a defensive player fails to make a crucial tackle, he doesn’t need his offensive opponent to rub-it-in-his-face with an outlandish celebration. More needs to be written on that, but space limitations prevent doing so now.

Will you log-in your feelings about how you deal with success and/or failure?

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Tunney

 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.

Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports

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.comThank you!

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Advice From Coaches

On the TunneySide of Sports October 1, 2018 # 712 Up next...Advice from coaches.On The TunneySide of Sports October 1, 2018 #712 Up next…Advice from Coaches

After further review… Fans often ask what the conversations are like between players and coaches. Here’s an incident that  Pro Football Hall of Famer, Dan Fouts, now a successful and well-respected CBS analyst for the National Football League told me. His hall of fame status comes from his outstanding quarterbacking of the San Diego Chargers for 16 seasons while setting numerous passing records. While he had more than one head coach, there’s no question that Don Coryell was most important to him. Dan tells it this way:

“There were two minutes left in the game and I went to the sideline for that two-minute warning talk that coaches are so famous for. The Chargers had an impressive staff of assistants with Jim Hanifan and Joe Gibbs, both to whom later became NFL head coaches. At the sideline I’m expecting to get some helpful words from Coryell, an innovative coach but now is in his first year as head coach. However, all I can hear is Hanifan shouting instructions with Gibbs relaying his thoughts. Coryell is saying nothing, and I’m waiting to hear what to do.”

Hanifan is saying, “Now, on the next play, we’re going to run eight-forty-four wide. Look at the weak side safety, and if the weak stays in the middle, try to hit Charlie Joiner on the post. Now, it the weak safety hangs to the weak side, then try to hit Kellen Winslow over the middle, and then there’s J.J. (John Jefferson), who’s running a corner. Now, if the linebackers drop back too far, then dump it off to Chuck Muncie underneath, Now, you got that Dan? You got that?”

The coaches are all talking at once. “Okay, let’s go over it one more time. Joiner, Winslow, Jefferson, and then down to Muncie, Joiner, Winslow, and Jefferson. Now, you got that Dan?” says Hanifan.” I’m thinking, this is a crucial situation in the ballgame, and they’re giving me all this information, but not a word from my head coach Coryell.

“I was restrapping my helmet, thinking: here’s the most innovative offensive head coach in football, and I haven’t heard a word from him…all I’ve heard is from his assistants. Then I felt a tug on my jersey, so I turn around, and there’s Coryell. I think, good he’s gonna tell me exactly what I need to do.” Coryell says, “Ah heck, just throw it to J.J.”

You got that sports fans?

Will you log-in your favorite sports story?

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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.

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

Buy Now

Tunney

 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.

Another 101 Best of TunneySide of Sports

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.comThank you!

Posted in NFL, Sports, Tunney Side of Sports Columns | Leave a comment