THE GREATEST GAME YOU CAN WIN
IS WON WITHIN.
FOOTBALL IS ABOUT LIFE.
TEAMWORK.
Football requires a unique brand of teamwork. When you are a part of a football team, sometimes with up to 90 other players, understanding your role and that of your teammates is critical. Trusting teammates to do their job is also of utmost importance. All teammates count, including players on the second and third string. The emotional ups and downs that a team may experience help to build trust over time.
GOAL-SETTING.
Like so many sports, football is awash in statistics: points scored, rushing yardage, passing yardage, catches, tackles, sacks, and blocks, among others. With the help of the team and coaches, the young player learns to set goals and work toward achieving those goals. There are a number of team-oriented goals as well, which help a player be accountable for achieving his/her expectations as part of the team. Goal-setting is crucial for success in the business world and in your personal life. For example, if your goal is to buy a house for your growing family, you need to make a plan to ensure you can afford the home of your dreams. Football is about planning, preparation, and execution to allow those goals to be achieved.
DISCIPLINE.
Football requires discipline and a solid work ethic. Showing up for practice on time, following the team rules, and learning the plays are all keys to success on the football field. When a player’s football career is over, the player can apply what he/she learned about discipline to their career and family life. A successful adult shows up for meetings and appointments on time, takes the initiative to improve their skills, and understands and follows the rules of their company and, on a larger scale, the laws of their community.
TALENT AND HEART.
Sometimes being good just isn’t good enough. You can be talented at something and have that natural ability but if you don’t care and you have no motivation or heart, you’ll never amount to anything. You must have the heart, drive, and passion within you to be a success in life. Period.
PERSEVERANCE.
Football provides a variety of challenges that test and help to build a player's perseverance. Common pitfalls like losing a big game, not making first string, or missing a play that results in a score for the other team are much like life—roadblocks that are inevitable. Even physical challenge, such as not having enough strength or not being as fast or as good at catching a ball, may even tempt a person to quit. However, football teaches players that quitting is never an option.
SUCCESS AND FAILURE.
Playing football teaches the young players how to handle both success and failure. Very few football teams remain undefeated, so at some point, they must learn to accept a loss but also learn from it to become stronger as individuals and as a team. They learn not to blame the loss on anyone but to focus on how they can improve. Just as important as learning how to handle failure is learning how to handle success. No one likes a poor winner. Acknowledging the hard work of the losing team by shaking hands at the end of the game teaches character. Someone who is gracious, regardless of if they win or lose on the football field, grows into a co-worker or supervisor who gains the respect of his/her work team as well as clients and customers.
