Winners never cheat!
August 2004
I picked up the airline magazine before takeoff. The
article headline said it all: Lie, Cheat, and Steal your way to the top.
Under the subheading it read: everybody is doing it.
The article went on to disclose what sadly we all
know. Wall Street, cheating their
investors, CEO's have caused people to lose their entire retirement savings.
Politicians have acted in their own self-interests instead of representing
those who vote for them. Reality shows glorify the cheater for being crafty
and smart. The sports world has not escaped the epidemic of cheating.
Professional and Olympic Athletes are found guilty of substance abuse. It is
disappointing to learn that a chemical may have contributed to a victory.
George Allen, the legendary NFL Hall of Fame Coach,
once told me, "Gagne sans peril – triumph sans glorious." When I looked
puzzled he explained it was French for "To win without struggle is to
triumph without glory." Those words helped me through a long career in
football. I used to tell my team "Don't pray for an easy victory but pray
for the strength to do your best at the moment of decision!"
Why not cheat? As youth leaders you will be called
upon to answer that question. Your actions may be the most powerful answer.
Do you encourage the WIN at ALL COSTS Philosophy?
Do you allow one special team to load up with the best
athletes in the league? Do you show off your team by running up the score on
a weaker opponent? Do you discourage the weaker player in the hope he quits
so you won't have to grant him his mandatory plays? Do you tell an injured
player, "You're not hurt!" Do you go wild during the games and abuse players
and officials when it is not an easy victory? Do you disregard your
obligation to encourage academic achievement? Do you fail to teach against
substance abuse? Is Giving Back to your community a concern to you?
You are coaching youth. Some develop faster than
others. Football coaching gives you instant respect. The price for that
respect is your responsibility to teach young people to make good decisions.
Child psychologists tell us that a child under eight
years of age cannot accurately judge the speed of an approaching automobile.
The child also has the misconception that if they see a driver, the driver
can see them. Should the child cheat and dart across the street without the
guidance of Mom, Dad, or some caring adult? At that moment of decision;
adult leadership can prevent a tragic accident.
As the child grows older he will be tempted to cheat.
The quality of adult leadership experienced will guide him in his moment of
decision. Because of the fine example of adult leaders in AYF we are
confident this generation of youth will make judgments based on strong
values. Our feedback from American Youth Football volunteers indicates
strong values are the glue of many leagues. The football world can be the
greatest teaching tool. You can be the example for youth to triumph with
glory.
Check out these past President's Messages articles:
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