TunneySide of Sports

On The TunneySide of Sports July 9, 2018 #700 Up next…I need help!

After further review…”The words “I love you” are important for family and friends. It gives the recipient a sense of self-worth. Indeed, this is a significant phrase, if said in a meaningful way. I need help are three other words not said often enough to help one survive a state of depression. Surely, we all have moments of discouragement and loneliness that, if not corrected, may lead to depression.

As a life-long educator, I have seen depression in many young people as well as adults. Depression can often lead to people taking their own lives. Tragic, indeed. Statistics indicate that in the 15 to 24 age group, suicide is the second leading cause of death. This was highlighted in a recent Sports Illustrated story about Tyler Hilinski, age 21, a former Washington State quarterback, who took his own life on September 16, 2017. To some, he was “Sweet T,” “Big Ty,” and “Superman”, especially after he threw for 241 yards and three touchdowns in a triple overtime game defeating Boise State, the best game of his life.

Success or failure is not who you are; not even that which you may have achieved – or failed to achieve. It’s just a moment in time. There is much more to be said about the Hilinski tragedy, but we’ll leave it to you to research, if interested. What is important about the Hilinski family is their attitude of not asking “why,” but more about asking “how?” How can they help this from happening to others? That’s paying-it-forward. Of course, the family continues to suffer, perhaps for a lifetime. However, some of that suffering may diminish by helping others.

Kevin Love is an NBA star playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who advanced to the NBA finals in the 2017-18 season losing to the Golden State Warriors. Love who played one season at U.C.L.A. after great success at Lake Oswego High School in Oregon is the son of Stan Love, who also had success as an NBA player. He is also the nephew of Mike Love. one of the founding members of the Beach Boys. Kevin has had success on and off the court. However, perhaps his profound success was seeking help for the depression he suffered in 2017.

His “I need help cry, all-too-often embarrassed to be used by famous athletes, perhaps saved Love from diving deeper into depression. Kevin wrote of “creating a better environment for talking about mental health and the need to remember that everyone is going through something we can’t see.”

Will you use your awareness to give attention to others who may need help?

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To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com.

NEW: Jim’s new Podcast ‘TunneySide of Sports’ will be up and running shortly. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, he is available for speaking engagements. His bobblehead and books are listed on his website.

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 July 2, 2018 #699 Up next…The Champ!

After further review…”It was an odd and intriguing book about an odd friendship and a strange and intriguing life” said Christopher Newton, in the forward to “The Prizefighter and the Playwright” authored by Jay R. Tunney. Jay said that his father, Gene Tunney, heavyweight boxing champion, and George Bernard Shaw, an Irish playwright were, indeed, best of friends. Odd, in that, it seemed unusual for a world-renowned playwright to have much in common with someone whose career was in the boxing ring. That’s where the intrigue lies.

Gene Tunney, heavyweight boxing champion, whose fame was highlighted by his defeat of Jack Dempsey in a boxing match at Chicago’s Soldier Field on September 22, 1927, held the World Heavyweight title from 1926 – 1928, retiring after he defeated Tom Heeney that year. He was the first of five heavyweights who retired without suffering a stoppage defeat, He was never knocked out and only knocked down once (by Dempsey in that “long count” fight). Tunney’s boxing style was not one of a “fighter” (slug-fest). Rather, he studied his opponent and preferred to stay outside, nullifying any attacks by using quick counters and jabs to the body keeping his opponents off-balance. He was known as a “thinking boxer,” not a slugger, which was popular in those days.

What makes the champ so interesting to me is that since I was about five, people have asked if I was “the son of the boxer?” I answered then, as now, I am not, although we carry the same given name: James Joseph Tunney, with me being JJT, III, — my dad having the same name. The champ has always interested me as I admired a man who could walk away from his game, while still on top. In 1960 I was fortunate to meet him in LaGuardia Airport (NY), to introduce myself.

Recently, I spent time with Jay R. Tunney, the author, who is the third son of the champ. Gene had 4 children with Polly Lauder, whose grandfather was George Lauder, first cousin and business partner of Andrew Carnegie. I am fortunate to have been born into a family with the name of Tunney. The intrigue for me was the champ’s intellect and study of literature that possessed George Bernard Shaw to seek him out and maintain a life-long friendship.

Will you grant me the self-indulgence to relate how fortunate I have been?

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To contact Jim, go to JimTunney.com or email Jim@JimTunney.com.

NEW: Jim’s new Podcast ‘TunneySide of Sports’ will be up and running shortly. Stay tuned. Meanwhile, he is available for speaking engagements. His bobblehead and books are listed on his website.

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!