On the TunneySide of Sports December 30, 2019 #776 Up next… Role Models Wanted
After further review… Impartial Judgment was the first of 13 books that I have authored or co-authored. That book chronicled my 31-year career as a National Football League game official, mostly in the position of Referee. It was important that I gave credit to those who were my role models — those who helped me perform at a top level. Equally important for me is to be a role model for upcoming officials and others.
There are too many of my mentors to list here since I officiated over 500 NFL games. I had help getting into the NFL with guidance from Bud Brubaker and Norm Schachter among others. First and foremost, however, that belongs to my father who was also a football and basketball official. He wasn’t so concerned about whether I was in the correct position on the field, but rather that I prepare properly by being in my best physical and mental condition. That preparation was what I challenged me to pass along to others.
My message here is not only for game officials but for players and coaches as well. Far too often I hear from some current players that being a role model is “not my job.” Those who take that approach forget who got them to where they are. Most in today’s game realize their role and the importance of passing along to others what they learned.
At the risk of omitting many players and coaches with whom I had the pleasure to observe on the NFL field, let me mention just three: one player and two coaches. Drew Brees, currently the New Orleans Saints Quarterback holds NFL’s all-time career touchdown passing record along with other NFL records, impresses me with his T*E*A*M cohesiveness. Mostly, however, is his work in the New Orleans community when he established the Brees Dream Foundation to help with victims of Katrina and other projects.
In the coaches category, there are two: Herm Edwards, currently the Arizona State University head coach. My book, ‘It’s the Will Not the Skill‘ chronicles the life of Coach Edwards. Knowing him personally and observing his success with players and others, I would recommend any young man to work under the guidance of Coach Herm.
The other is Ron Rivera, formerly head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Ron grew up in Seaside, California (incidentally so did Edwards) went on to Cal/Berkeley, then to the Chicago Bears where he played in and won Super Bowl XX; then onto several NFL assistant coaching jobs. To know Ron Rivera makes you his friend.
Will you log-in role models in your life who had an influence on you?
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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.
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