Tunney side of the street
Jim Tunney Tunney side of the street
Article Last Updated: 01/14/2008 01:29:44 AM PST
After further review...
"Quit — there's no quit in my dictionary — the only time you quit is when you retire."
This quote is from my book, It's the Will, Not the Skill,
which discusses the principles and philosophies of success of Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards. This, indeed, has been a most difficult season Edwards. When any team has an
eight-game losing streak in a 16-game season, it takes a lot of the fun out of the game.
Yet, in every press conference, Edwards consistently complimented his players — each and every one — for giving their best effort every play — every game.
"All you can ask of your players is that they come to practice every day, prepared to do their best and 'play hard, play smart and play fast' in every game. To a man, they did that," said Edwards of the 2007 Chiefs.
Other examples, of teams with nothing to gain (meaning out of the playoffs), which gave their best effort are the Chicago Bears who beat the Green Bay Packers 35-7. If the Packers (at 13-2) would have won, they could have had a chance at home field advantage.
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the New Orleans Saints (38-23), who needed to win to stay eligible for the playoffs. The Cincinnati Bengals, also with no chance at the playoffs, came prepared and beat the Cleveland Browns who were fighting to become a wildcard entry.
The Baltimore Ravens rose up to beat the division champions Pittsburgh Steelers, although the Steelers, assured of a playoff slot rested some of its stars. Houston Texans (7-8) did the same to wildcard Jacksonville.
The point I'm making is: A professional never quits. As my friend and colleague, the late Cavett Robert said: "School is never out for the professional. One always keeps learning and keeps trying."
Lane Kiffin, Oakland Raiders rookie coach who finished with a 4-12 record in the AFC West, said, "My job — and I spend all day thinking about it — is, 'How do I motivate my team? How do I get them to practice hard.'"
Well, Coach, I guess paying them millions of dollars isn't going to do it. However, to Kiffin's credit, as it is with Edwards, neither the Raiders nor Chiefs quit, but played hard in every game.
It certainly is the coaches' as well as CEOs' responsibility to inspire and encourage his team as well as preparing them to give their best performance every time. However, the motivation must come from within each player. That's being a professional.
Will you prepare to do your best every time no matter what the circumstances?
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