Opinion about the replacement referees in the NFL is no longer a controversial issue. Everyone who doesn’t own a professional football team thinks it’s time to get the original referees back on the field. For Packers fans, Monday night’s debacle was something they never want to experience again.
As a sports fan, I understand that bad calls happen and can affect the outcome of the game. This isn’t new, however, the subsequent reactions seem to be treading on new territory. Calling out the NFL, phone calls to the commissioner, players tweeting expletives, social media outcries, etc. are happening because the fans are upset.
The dynamic I was most interested in during the fiasco was how individuals demonstrated their capacity to handle adversity. Mike McCarthy, the head coach for the Green Bay Packers, represented all that is right about sportsmanship and standards of excellence during and after that already infamous moment. (I’m an avid Packers fan and stock holder, by the way, so I might be biased).
McCarthy was emotionless while the events unfolded. He never lost his composure. In fact, he had the similar stoic demeanor that he exudes during victories. He was calm and steady. Of course, many of the players lost their cool, but McCarthy stayed the course. He has standards and he walked the talk. He went on the describe that he was frustrated that he hadn’t made a change in the game plan sooner and that he was only going to control what he could control. He took the high road.
The talking heads beat this issue to death on Tuesday. I watched the final play at least 150 times. I was anxious to hear what McCarthy had to say and during his afternoon press conference, he didn’t disappoint. He acknowledged that he was upset, however, he said it was his responsibility to help channel all of the emotion and energy in the locker room towards the Saints this weekend. He didn’t say they were ripped off, he didn’t talk about the replacement referees and he didn’t dwell on what had happened. He buried it in the past and moved forward like a great leader.
The Packers are less than two seasons removed from winning the Super Bowl. McCarthy’s press conference yesterday reminded me of his midseason stance two seasons ago. He found a way to take all of the negative energy (injuries, etc.) and funnel it towards the next game one week at a time. He helped the team carry that proverbial “chip” on their shoulders. Once again, one of the best teams in the NFL has a chip on their shoulder and their commander-in-chief, Mike McCarthy, is steering the ship.
McCarthy is a great example of what convictions and standards of excellence look like in professional sports and leadership. Not only is he admirable in moments of crisis, he’s a role model of character and integrity when things are going well, too. He has clearly turned a setback into a set-up this week.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Why not me?
I've heard many athletes use the term "why not me?" when looking for the confidence needed to achieve their goals. It's a rhetorical question and along the lines of "someone has to win, so it might as well be me" thought process. I'm on board with both.
Last night, I was discussing goals with an athlete and he said he had come to the realization of "why not me?" He was indicating that he had turned the corner in his mind and was ready to achieve the goals he has set for himself. When he said, "why not me?" I instructed him to answer the question. He was stunned and somewhat speechless. I said, "Why not you? Answer that question." Of course he wasn't prepared to answer the cliche question, but it's my nature to push people in those scenarios.
He began explaining why he should reach his goals. He has put in the time, worked harder than anyone else, done all of the little things right, etc. I informed him that's why him. It doesn't answer why not. This is the disconnect. He understood all of the things that should be leading to success, however, he wasn't ready to consider the things that were leading him away from success. It wasn't a case of taking the wrong path or choosing bad things. He was simply being shortsighted in some of the decisions he had made. They looked great in the moment, but more flavor-of-the-month decisions instead of long term planning on how to achieve the goals he had set. The reason he had not reached his goals yet is because he hasn't been completely committed to it in all areas of his preparation and training even if it appeared so from a physical standpoint.
Why not me? Why not? Can you answer that question?
Last night, I was discussing goals with an athlete and he said he had come to the realization of "why not me?" He was indicating that he had turned the corner in his mind and was ready to achieve the goals he has set for himself. When he said, "why not me?" I instructed him to answer the question. He was stunned and somewhat speechless. I said, "Why not you? Answer that question." Of course he wasn't prepared to answer the cliche question, but it's my nature to push people in those scenarios.
He began explaining why he should reach his goals. He has put in the time, worked harder than anyone else, done all of the little things right, etc. I informed him that's why him. It doesn't answer why not. This is the disconnect. He understood all of the things that should be leading to success, however, he wasn't ready to consider the things that were leading him away from success. It wasn't a case of taking the wrong path or choosing bad things. He was simply being shortsighted in some of the decisions he had made. They looked great in the moment, but more flavor-of-the-month decisions instead of long term planning on how to achieve the goals he had set. The reason he had not reached his goals yet is because he hasn't been completely committed to it in all areas of his preparation and training even if it appeared so from a physical standpoint.
Why not me? Why not? Can you answer that question?
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