TUNNEY-SIDE-OF-THE-STREET

#107 January 15 2007
Welcome to this week's message from the Tunney-Side-Of-The-Street. You are encouraged to share this with fellow workers, family and friends.

After further review. . .

Perhaps you have noticed during this (2006) football season a "new" trend, when scoring a touchdown, players handing the ball to an official or perhaps just dropping it. In my 50+ years of watching football - high school, college and professional - handing the ball to an official or just dropping it after scoring is not new. Players Paul Hornung, Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly, Floyd Little, Gale Sayers, Walter Payton, Frank Gifford (I could go on and on) never tried to "show up" an opponent or make a spectacle of himself by spiking the ball or other egocentric antics. It just wasn't the thing to do. Your teammates and opponents would not condone - no, let me change that - allow such behavior. The simple reason was "respect". Respect for your opponent and respect for the game itself.

Coach Herman Edwards states in my book, It's the Will, Not the Skill, "If you are going to celebrate when you score, then celebrate when the other team scores". Sounds silly doesn't it? However, what Coach says is - show some respect for the other guy and for the game. I realize that there is a rush of excitement in scoring a touchdown but - P L E A S E - keep it in perspective. Most of the time, the game continues and an opponent often is challenged by your showboating. Second, it is just a GAME - not a break through in a scientific discovery.

This showboating and disregard for an opponent was highlighted in the 2007 Rose Bowl game when UCS's wide receiver, #8 Dwayne Jarrett outran the Michigan defender to catch a pass for a go-ahead touchdown. As Jarrett raced toward the goal line he pointed back at that defender as if to say, "Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah". On another occasion after scoring a touchdown, Jarrett took the ball and did a basketball type "jump shot". Those shenanigans distract from the special talent of Jarrett. He is an outstanding college receiver, but that showing up of your opponent diminishes his stature.

I encourage people to "celebrate your victories", as long as you keep it in perspective. Pumping of the fist, using the touchdown signal or patting the player on the back is a healthy way to build T*E*A*M camaraderie Today we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.. Dr. King made a significant difference in the lives of others through his quiet and powerful demeanor - not by "showboating".

Will you celebrate your victories/successes with good judgment and respect for others?

Look for my book
It's the Will, Not the Skill
Principles and philosophies of success
For more information about Jim Tunney, go to www.jimtunney.com

ARTICLE TAGLINE FOR JIM TUNNEY, Ed.D., CSP, CPAE

Copyright © 2003 Jim Tunney. All rights reserved.
You can visit Jim's website at http://www.jimtunney.com

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