3. 2
2014 MISSION STATEMENT
It is our belief that leadership and character are the most essential elements that a successful
person possesses. It is our mission to develop leadership and character in our students-
athletes throughout the year in order to make us a more successful program and to make our
student-athletes the best football players and, more importantly, the best men they can be.
The foundation – core principles
WORK HARD
IMPROVE EVERY DAY
BE UNSELFISH
BE THE BEST
Our leadership and character development program is rooted in the four principles listed
above. To be successful in all areas of life – academically, athletically, and socially – we believe
our student-athletes must . . . 1) put forth the time, effort, and hard work necessary each day
to achieve their true potential; 2) strive to improve in all areas a little bit each day then
patiently keep stacking good days on top of each other to produce great gains; 3) be unselfish
and care about others and the team as a whole more than themselves; 4) relentlessly pursue
excellence and be the best student, football player, and person they can possibly be each day.
WHY LEADERSHIP TRAINING?
The lack of “positive leadership” from the student level in our community and on this
campus is alarming. We must understand nothing will change unless the basic principles of
character and leadership are taught and understood. Without these principles being
embraced, “negative leadership” will quickly fill the void.
Leadership starts first with understanding yourself. Only then can you go forward and
lead in a positive way. We are talking about leadership for you academically, athletically, and
in your personal life. The gap in leadership is real, and we need real leaders to fill this gap.
WE NEED YOU TO BE A LEADER!
There are dozens of leadership qualities that might be listed from various individuals.
The qualities of leadership we will discuss were specifically chosen for this team. Take the
time, put forth the effort, and make a commitment to benefit from the following qualities for
yourself and for our team.
4. 3
LEADERSHIP MANUAL 2014: “THE TRAITS”
1. HARD WORK: This trait supersedes all others. Working hard is a habit for a leader because he strives to maximize his ability.
A leader understands that nothing worthwhile is achieved without paying a price – and that price is physical and mental work.
THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A LAZY LEADER.
2. PRIDE: The satisfaction that every action you take is stamped with your desire for it to be the best it possibly can be. Pride
always makes a man do more than is expected of him. Great leaders have pride, and they instill pride in those they lead!
3. UNSELFISH: A true leader shows more concern for those he leads than he does for himself. Leaders place the team first
before their own needs or desires because they understand that “WE” is far more powerful than “ME”.
4. TRUSTWORTHY: Truthfulness and integrity are vital to the moral character of a leader. Leaders tell the truth - no matter the
circumstances, no matter the consequences. A man is only as good as his word.
5. PHYSICAL TOUGHNESS: Leaders must have physical durability. They must possess a high pain threshold and a strong
tolerance for physical discomfort. “LEADERS WANTED – CREAMPUFFS NEED NOT APPLY.”
6. MENTAL TOUGHNESS: Leaders develop the ability to control the desires of both the mind and body, and they use that
control to achieve demanding goals and perform under pressure. Leaders have disciplined minds that refuse to quit.
7. ENTHUSIASM: A consistent and genuine expression of joy and excitement. On a daily basis, a leader must have enthusiasm
in order to inspire those around him. The enthusiasm of a true leader is contagious, and because of this, his followers are
willing and excited to join him on their mission.
8. POISE: When the pressure is on and the tension is thick, leaders keep their composure and maintain a clear mind. A man
with poise controls his emotions and carries himself in a dignified, self-confident manner that others naturally notice. Leaders
stay calm under fire when others would panic.
9. DEPENDABLE: Leaders earn the respect of others because they are trustworthy, steady, and reliable. Consistency is the key
to dependability - in attendance, attitude, and performance. You cannot be a leader unless you can be counted on.
10. PERSEVERANCE: A steadfast persistence in overcoming adversity allows a leader to never quit. Leaders endure. Leaders
press on. Leaders respond to temporary failure in a positive manner because they refuse to lose faith in themselves.
11. CONFIDENCE: A deep-down belief in yourself and your abilities. People with confidence have a certain “swagger” that draws
others to them. One achieves confidence by working, being prepared, and succeeding. Confidence is earned; it cannot be
issued like a uniform.
12. CLASS: A leader treats others the way he would like to be treated. Leaders are gentlemen. Leaders are polite and
considerate. Leaders are kind and take care of those in need. A leader keeps his word. A leader looks folks in the eye and
always makes good on his promises. A leader does the right thing.
13. COMPETITIVE: All great leaders have the competitive fire to achieve and to be successful. The desire to compete and win is
so strong that any preparation necessary will be accomplished.
14. VISION OF GREATNESS: Leaders aspire to accomplish great things in life. They want to have a positive, lasting influence on
those around them. Leaders passionately communicate this “vision of greatness” so others are inspired to follow them.
15. ABILITY TO UNITE: True leaders inspire others to join together for a common cause. They possess the ability to persuade
people to put aside differences and individual gain for a unified effort to achieve a greater goal.
5. 4
This trait supersedes all others.
Working hard is a habit for a leader
because he strives to maximize his
ability. A leader understands that
nothing worthwhile is achieved without
paying a price – and that price is
physical and mental work. THERE’S NO
SUCH THING AS A LAZY LEADER.
PANTHERFOOTBALL2014
“This is how I’m
going to beat you:
I AM GOING TO
OUT-WORK YOU!”
~ Coach Pat Summitt
University of Tennessee
Women’s Basketball
8 NCAA National Championships
Most Career Victories in NCAA
history (1,000)
6. 5
“A dream doesn’t
become reality
through magic; it
takes sweat,
determination, and
hard work.”
~ General Colin Powell
“Leaders aren’t
born, they are
made. And they
are made through
hard work. That’s
the price we’ll
have to pay to
achieve any goal.”
~ Vince Lombardi
“Thunder is good.
Thunder is impressive.
But it’s the lightning
that does all the work.”
~ Mark Twain
7. 6
The NFL’s All-Time Leader in Receptions & Touchdown Receptions; from an interview featured in The New
York Times, 1995
Jerry Rice is considered by most to be far and away the greatest receiver in the history of the NFL. He wasn’t the
fastest guy, or the tallest guy, or the most athletic guy, but he made plays game after game, for longer than just about anyone.
He played in the NFL for 20 years, which is about 10 times longer than the average player.
One of the things he said that made him great was his training. His workouts where that of legends, and few people
that spent a day training with him were able to walk out on their own, with very few exceptions, Barry Sanders being one of
them.
Dedication is a word often used far too loosely. But in the case of Rice, an athlete known as much for his ungodly
regimen as for the fact that he’s arguably the greatest pass catcher in NFL history, it truly seems to apply. Just two weeks after
reconstructive knee surgery last season, for instance, Rice decided he’d been lollygagging long enough - so he ripped off his
splint in the middle of the night and headed straight for the weight room. “Jerry - he’s unreal,” says San Francisco 49er
teammate Roger Craig, who himself trief to follow his pal’s off-season program. “He just
works harder than anyone else.”
Rice’s six-day-a-week workout is divided into two parts: two hours of cardiovascular
work in the morning and three hours of strength training each afternoon. Early in the off-
season, the a.m. segment consists of a five-mile trail run near San Carlos on a torturous
course called, simply, “The Hill”. But since five vertical miles can hardly be considered a
workout, he pauses on the steepest section to do a series of ten 40-meter uphill sprints. As
the season approaches, however, Rice knows it’s time to start conserving energy - so he
forgoes The Hill and instead merely does a couple of sprints: six 100-yarders, six 80s, six 60s,
six 40s, six 20s, and 16 tens, with no rest between sprints and just two and a half minutes
between sets.
For the p.m. sessions he alternates between upper-body and lower-body days. But no matter
which half of his body he’s working on, the volume is always the same: three sets of ten reps of 21 different exercises. Yes,
your calculator’s right: That’s 630 repetitions a day.
A PROFILE
IN HARD
WORK:
JERRY
RICE
8. 7
CRIMSON TIDE FOOTBALL: PLAYERS’ DAILY ITINERARY
2013 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
MONDAY – THURSDAY ROUTINE
6:15 AM WAKE-UP / SHOWER / DRESS
6:45 AM BREAKFAST
8:00 – 11:50 AM CLASS
11:50 AM – 12:25 PM LUNCH
12:30 PM WEIGHTROOM - LIFTING ROUTINE
1:30 PM TO PLAYERS’ LOUNGE – “HANG OUT”
2:00 PM SPECIAL TEAMS MEETING
2:30 PM POSITION MEETING
3:00 PM TAPE / DRESS FOR PRACTICE
3:30 – 5:30 PM PRACTICE
6:30 PM DINNER
7:00 – 9:00 PM TO ACADEMIC CENTER - MANDATORY STUDY HALL / TUTORING
9:00 PM TO ATHLETIC APARTMENTS
REST & RECOVER / PREPARE TO DOMINATE THE NEXT DAY
“ROLL TIDE”
COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA FOOTBALL STAFF
IS YOUR WORK ETHIC
STRONG ENOUGH TO
HANDLE THIS SCHEDULE
?
9. 8
HOW TO BE A CHAMPION
by Grantland Rice
You wonder how they do it,
You look to see the knack,
You watch the foot in action,
Or the shoulder or the back.
But when you spot the answer,
Where the higher glamour lurks,
You’ll find in moving higher –
Up that laurel-covered spire,
That most of it is practice
And the rest of it is work.
LABOR OR WORK? IT’S HOW YOU LOOK AT IT
Two stone cutters were
asked what they were doing.
The first one said:
“I’m cutting this
dang stone into blocks!”
The second one said:
“I’m on a team building what
might be the world’s
most beautiful cathedral!”
TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK. FIND JOY IN THE PROCESS.
WORK WITH PURPOSE!
10. 9
Obituary of Stanley Averageman
To Whom It May Concern: Stan Averageman was buried today.
Born: 1994 – Odessa, Texas – into an average family. Just average.
Education: Attended Odessa Permian High School and managed to graduate without
distinction in 2012. Nearly earned a “B” once in Math but forgot to turn in
his homework on the last day of the six weeks. He was not involved in much
at school, participated in no activities, had few friends, and refused to try
to improve himself as a person. Stan refused to go to college because he
feared all the hard work it took to fill out the application.
Hobbies: Loved to sit on the couch. Was addicted to XBox. Enjoyed wasting hours and
hours watching TV (“Family Guy”). Liked to swig cans of his dad’s beer.
Smoked the occasional joint . . . four or five times a week.
Married: 2013, wedded the former Suzie Simpleton. Suzie proposed to him.
Children: None. Too much work involved. Too much trouble.
Education: Bounced around from job to job when his wife forced him to find work. Nearly
made assistant night manager at a Stripes. Feared the extra hours and
responsibility.
Honors: None.
Biography: Stan never, ever took a chance. He was never willing to do the little extra
work to make himself successful. He developed none of his God-given talents. He never
got involved with any team. He was a “pretty good guy” that enjoyed a pretty boring,
very safe life.
RIP
Stanley
Averageman
Born: 1997
Died: 2014
Buried: 2072
“He gave little of
himself, & life gave him
little in return.”
11. 10
Pride is the satisfaction that ever action
you take is stamped with excellence
and your desire for it to be the best it
can possibly be. Pride always makes a
man do more than is expected of him.
Great leaders have pride, and they
instill pride in those they lead.
PANTHERFOOTBALL2014
“Always do more
than is required
of you, and do it
better than
anyone else.”
~ General George S. Patton
12. 11
HAVING PRIDE MEANS
HAVING A HABIT OF
STAMPING EVERYTHING
YOU DO WITH YOUR
OFFICIAL SEAL OF 100%
EXCELLENCE.
“If it’s worth doing, it’s
worth doing right. And
doing it right means as
perfect as you can make it.”
~ Marilynn Leone
14. 13
MUHAMMAD ALI’S BIKE
As a kid growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, Muhammad Ali got a job sacking groceries.
He didn’t make much money, but he saved enough cash to buy a secondhand bicycle. He
loved that blue bicycle. He was proud of it. He took pride in its upkeep. He had worked hard
for it and earned it.
One day, while he was at work, someone stole his bicycle. He was heartbroken. He was
ticked off. He stayed that way – at times – for the rest of his life.
“I walked all over Louisville that summer, looking for that bike,” Ali said. “I walked and
looked, looked and walked. Never found it to this day. But every time I got into the ring, I
looked across at the other fighter, and I told myself, ‘Hey, that’s the guy who stole my bike!”
In 57 career victories Ali had 37 knockouts.
15. 14
“RIDIN’ FOR THE BRAND”
In the Old West, every man knew the importance of a brand. A brand was the
mark that a rancher would burn into his cattle. A brand was a mark of trust – he
trusted that other ranchers and cowboys wouldn’t mess with his brand.
But a brand was much more than that.
When a cowboy hooked up with a certain outfit, it was said that he was “ridin’
for the brand”. He took pride in that brand.
The term “ridin’ for the brand” was an expression of loyalty to the outfit he
rode for – he trusted them, they trusted him. If a man did not like the outfit or
the way they conducted its business, he was free to go - and many did. But if he
stayed, he gave his trust and loyalty and he received both in return. Much was
forgiven if a man worked hard, was tough-minded, remained loyal, and did his job
to the best of his abilities. If a man gave less than his best or broke the trust of the
outfit, he was dismissed of his duties.
This team is for MEN. Men who are “ridin’ for the brand”. When a player is
takes pride in the brand and begins to understand the privilege and responsibility
of owning this brand, he will give nothing less than his best . . . he will protect this
brand because he doesn’t want to let his teammates and coaches down.
16. 15
A FATHER’S PRAYER
by General Douglas MacArthur
Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and
brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and
unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son
who will know Thee and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur
of difficulties and challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let
him learn compassion for those who fail.
Build me a son whose heart will be clean, whose goal will be high; a son who will
master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh,
yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget
the past.
And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he
may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so
that he may always remember the simplicity of greatness, the open mind of true
wisdom, the meekness of true strength.
Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, "I have not lived in vain."
17. 16
A true leader shows more concern for
those he leads than he does for
himself. Leaders place the team first
before their own needs or desires
because they understand that “WE” is
far more powerful than “me”.
PANTHERFOOTBALL2014
“There is a magnet in
your heart that
attracts true friends.
That magnet is
unselfishness; when
you learn to live for
others, they will live
for you.”
~ Franklin D. Roosevelt
18. 17
“I believe I became a
team leader once I got
passed my own game.
You have to be
unselfish to be a true
leader. Stay reachable.
Stay in touch. Never
isolate.”~ Michael Jordan
“A generous person
will prosper;
whoever refreshes
others will be
refreshed himself.”
~ Proverbs 11:25
“I am a warrior. I can fight
alone. But the spirit is
strongest in me when I am
surrounded by my brothers.”
~ Apache Warrior Saying
Geronimo
Chiricahua Apache
Leader
19. 18
THE DISEASE OF “ME”
SIX DANGER SIGNALS OF SELFISHNESS
1. Constant, chronic feelings of under appreciation; focuses on himself not the team.
2. Paranoia over being cheated out of what he feels is his rightful share of his due credit.
3. Doesn’t pay attention to team leaders because he’s too concerned with maintaining
cliques and rivalries.
4. Feelings of frustration and lack of satisfaction even when the team performs
successfully.
5. Exerts tremendous effort only when wanting to outshine his teammates.
6. Resentment of the abilities and achievements of others on the team; refuses to admit
the value of their contribution to the team’s success.
“The most difficult thing for individuals to do when they become part of a team
is to sacrifice – to sacrifice their personal ambitions and glory. As a human
being, it is much easier to be selfish.” - Coach Pat Riley
THE DISEASE OF ME = THE DEFEAT OF US!
ALWAYS PUT “WE” ABOVE “ME”
WE
me
20. 19
TWO GEESE & A FROG:
A FABLE
A frog from Seattle needed to get to Phoenix on business and get there
quickly. Knowing that geese fly south for the winter, the frog asked two geese to
take him with them. At first, the two geese were confused and resisted; they
didn’t see how they could possibly do it – it wasn’t like the frog had a special
saddle and flight goggles. Finally, the frog conceived a clever plan: the two geese
would fly side-by-side, close together with a sturdy stick in their beaks, and the
frog would hold onto the stick with his mouth and powerful tongue.
All in all, the frog’s plan was a fine one.
So off the unlikely three went in the air, soaring southward across the
countryside and making pretty decent time. It was quite a sight – two geese and a
frog flying across the wild blue yonder. Folks on the ground looked up and
expressed great admiration at this demonstration of creative teamwork.
Somewhere over Las Vegas someone on the ground yelled up: “Hey! That’s
the most brilliant thing I’ve ever seen! Who was the genius that came up with
such a clever way to travel?”
The frog opened his mouth and said, “It was meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee,” as he plummeted to his death.
MORAL: Why care about the glory or who gets the credit just as long as
you get to where you want to be?
21. 20
EGO and ARROGANCE
WORDS OF WISDOM FROM LEGENDARY COACH JOHN WOODEN
Everyone has a certain amount of ego, but you must keep that ego under control. Ego is about self-esteem and
feeling confident and important – knowing you can do the job. However, if you get the feeling that you are too
important, that you’re indispensable, or that you can do the job without real effort, hard work, or proper
preparation, that’s arrogance. Arrogance is weakness. That’s why I like this poem composed by Ogden Nash:
Ego and Arrogance
by Ogden Nash
Sometime when you’re feeling important,
Sometime when your ego’s in bloom,
Sometime when you take it for granted
You’re the best qualified in the room.
Sometime when you feel that your going
Would leave an unfillable hole,
Just follow this simple instruction
And see how it humbles your soul.
Take a bucket and fill it with water,
Put your hand in it up to the wrist,
Pull it out, and the hole that is remaining
Is the measure of how you’ll be missed.
You may splash all you please when you enter,
You can stir up the water galore,
But stop and you’ll find in a minute,
That it looks quite the same as before.
The moral in this quaint example
Is to do just the best you can.
Be proud of yourself, but remember . . .
There is no indispensable man!
22. 21
Truthfulness and integrity are vital to
the moral character of a leader.
Leaders tell the truth, be honest - no
matter the circumstances, no matter
the consequences. A man is only as
good as his word.
PANTHERFOOTBALL2014
“Leadership thrives
on honesty, on
honor, on the
sacredness of
obligations made
with a handshake.”
~ Theodore Roosevelt
23. 22
“The simplicity of
honesty needs no
adornment. Liars
drown in details.”
~ William Shakespeare
“The foundation stones
of a meaningful life are
honesty, character, faith,
love, and loyalty. Notice
I put honesty first.”
~ Zig Ziglar, motivational
author/speaker
“I believe
fundamental
honesty is the
keystone of
business – any
business.”
~ Harvey S. Firestone
24. 23
A PROFILE IN HONESTY:
BILL GATES SPEAKS THE TRUTH
10 Pieces of Advice from Bill Gates to Young People
Before retiring in July 2008, Bill Gates gave the following advice to high school
students. The world’s richest “nerd” tells it like it really is.
1. “Life is not fair - get used to it.”
2. “The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish
something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.”
3. “You will NOT make 40 thousand dollars a year right out of high school. You won't be
a vice president with an expense account, until you earn both.”
4. “If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. He doesn't have tenure.”
5. “If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn
from them.”
6. “Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that
way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool
you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation,
try delousing the closet in your own room.”
7. “Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life may not. In some
schools they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as many times as you want
to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real
life.”
8. “Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers
are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on your own time.”
9. “Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and
go to jobs.”
10. “Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.”
25. 24
The Man in the Glass
Dale Wimbrow (1895-1954)
When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day,
Just go to a mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that man has to say.
For it isn't your father or mother or wife,
Who judgment upon you must pass;
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one starring back from the glass.
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest.
For he's with you clear up to the end,
And you've passed the most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may trick folks into believing you’re good chum,
And think you're a wonderful guy,
But the man in the glass says you're only a bum
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years.
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be the heartaches and tears
If you've cheated the man in the glass.
26. 25
Capt. Charles Plumb, U.S. Navy
Call Sign – “PLUMBER”
F-4 PHANTOM PILOT – VIETNAM WAR – 75 COMBAT MISSIONS
After graduating from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Captain Charlie Plumb went on to fly the F-4
Phantom jet on 74 successful combat missions over Vietnam. On his 75th mission, with only five days before he was to
return home, Plumb was shot down, captured, tortured, and imprisoned in an 8 foot x 8 foot cell. He spent the next
2,103 days as a Prisoner Of War in communist war camps.
Today, Captain Plumb travels the country lecturing on the lessons he learned from his experiences. One of the main
points Plumb hammers home is the importance of trust.
Plumb tells the story about being approached by a stranger while eating dinner with his wife. Many years had passed
since his release from captivity.
The stranger extended his hand and asked him, “Are you Plumb the navy pilot?”
“Yes, how did you know?” Plumb responded.
“I packed your parachute before your last mission,” the man – Plumb’s new friend – replied.
Plumb was amazed: “If the chute you packed hadn’t worked I wouldn’t be here today!”
Captain Plumb refers to this in his lectures: his realization that the hundreds of anonymous sailors who packed Navy
parachutes held the pilots’ lives in their hands, yet nothing was ever discussed amongst the pilots about that
tremendous level of trust. As well trained as Plumb and his fellow pilots were, he understood now that he was alive
because his parachute packer paid attention during training.
At the end of his lectures, Captain Plumb asks these questions to his audience. Consider them:
WHO IN YOUR LIFE WOULD YOU TRUST TO PACK YOUR PARACHUTE? WHO
WOULD TRUST YOU TO PACK THEIR PARACHUTE?
27. 26
Leaders must have physical durability.
They must possess a high pain
threshold and a strong tolerance for
physical discomfort. “Leaders Wanted:
Creampuffs need not apply!”
PANTHERFOOTBALL2014
“Toughness is in
the soul and
spirit . . . not in
the bones and
muscles.”
~ Alex Karras,
Detroit Lions defensive lineman
28. 27
“Football is combat . . . and
you know you are going to be
subjected to pain and
suffering. It is a matter of
accepting that fact and being
willing to train and submit
your body to overcome that
pain.”
~ Jim Taylor, Green Bay Packers
running back, NFL Hall of Fame
“A young man will not
play defense at
Alabama unless he is
tough – physically
tough. He’s got to be
fast, too. But fast and
soft . . . never.”
~ Nick Saban, Head Coach
University of Alabama
“BE THE HAMMER,
NOT THE NAIL.”
29. 28
A PROFILE IN PHYSICAL TOUGHNESS:
“127 HOURS” WITH ARON RALSTON
It wasn't until five years ago that I started mountaineering. I got more
and more into winter solo activities, like climbing fourteeners. There are fifty-
nine peaks over 14,000 feet in Colorado, and I wanted to climb all of them by
myself in the wintertime. People said that I would never finish them without
killing myself, but I've been doing it for five winters, and I have only fourteen left.
There's a very acute sense of solitude when you're climbing solo.
There's nobody to hand you your glove if you drop it. I'll get to a trail registry and
see that the last time someone signed in was in October, and it might be March. I
actually saw three wolves, which are supposedly extinct in Colorado. But once
it's been three days, five days, I'm ready to come back and get a greasy
hamburger and listen to some live music and have a beer with my friends. You go
out and get away from everything so you can appreciate what it means to have
society. And when you come back to a warm shower, you just appreciate it more.
Last spring I left Colorado and went to Utah to get away from the
mountains. I went biking in Moab, and then I drove three hours to the Horseshoe Canyon trailhead and stayed there overnight,
sleeping in the back of my truck. In the morning, Saturday, I biked about fifteen miles in, locked my bike to a juniper tree and hiked a
mile and a half across the desert to get to the beginning of these slot canyons. The beauty of the place is really the attraction. It's a
Martian landscape. The sandstone is polished smooth from the water action. The colors range from deep purples to salmon hues
and even bright orange. The light is really amazing. And there are petroglyphs, ancient Indian rock etchings, down at the bottom, in
Horseshoe Canyon.
So I had my headphones on, and I'm hiking down the canyon. And the topography changes. It becomes a deep hallway that
bends and warps. I was standing in a section that's only about three feet wide. Chalkstones get rolled down into the canyon during
flash floods, and they'll get stuck between the walls. I stepped off this ledge onto one of these huge chalkstones; I had to climb over
it to continue down the canyon. I was hanging from the boulder, my feet about two feet off the ground, when it started to roll,
rotating toward me. It was falling, and I was falling with it. So I dropped to the ground, my arms flew up in front of my face, and the
boulder smashed my left hand into the left-side wall and then ricocheted back and trapped my right hand against the canyon wall. I
tried yanking it out, but it didn't move. My hand was pinned against the wall, trapped right in front of me. It was very painful for
about forty-five minutes. You can imagine what it would feel like if you've slammed your finger in a car door. For a brief moment,
you don't feel anything until your brain processes the signal. And then the pain starts flooding in. Before an hour had gone by, the
hand was entirely numb. I could poke at it with my finger and it felt like I was poking a wooden hand.
I laid out all my options: Rescue could come. I could chip away at the rock. I could try to lift the rock off my hand. Or I could
cut off my hand. The first night I spent chipping away at the boulder. Fifteen hours later, I realized I'd never be able to free my hand
that way. On Sunday morning, I started rigging a pulley system to try to lift the rock, but I couldn't get that boulder to even budge.
On Sunday afternoon, I started videotaping. I recorded my last will and testament-dispensing my belongings and assets and
talking to my family, telling them how much I loved them, how proud I am of my sister. On Sunday afternoon, I told myself I'd be
surprised if I made it to Tuesday morning. But by Wednesday, I thought I had a couple of days left in me. By now people knew I was
missing, and so the longer I could last, the greater the probability was that rescuers would show up. The nights were very difficult. It
was really cold, and I had on only a T-shirt and shorts. I took my rope and wrapped it around my legs to provide insulation, and I had
a rope bag that I put over my head and my left arm. I kept my backpack on to keep me insulated and my headphones on to keep my
ears warm. In the past, I'd fasted for six days at a stretch, and that gave me confidence that I'd be okay, but water was the issue.
Most experts say that in the desert, one to three days is enough time for dehydration to kill you.
30. 29
Even on the first day, I was having this debate with myself: "You're going to have to cut your arm off, man!" "I don't want
to cut my arm off!" "You're going to have to do it!" On Sunday afternoon, the second day, I started laying out my surgical table. I
put the knife to my skin, and I was just totally revulsed by the sight. I didn't think I had it in me. Monday I actually tried cutting into
myself. And I couldn't do it. The knife was dull, and I couldn't break the skin very easily. Tuesday morning I got pretty serious about
it, and I stabbed myself, thrust it into my arm and worked it around, and it hurt like a bitch. And I very quickly realized that I had no
chance of sawing through the bones. So at that point, I put the whole amputation thing on hold. And Wednesday I didn't even
consider it. I was just like, "Okay, all I'm doing now is waiting for rescue."
I videotaped some more and thought about myself. I went through a grieving process. I was angry at the prospect of my
death. And then I accepted it, had kind of a peacefulness about it. And I would go into daydreams for fifteen, twenty minutes at a
time. In my dreams, friends would visit me. They would come, and I would see them in the canyon in front of me.
At one point, I heard my mom call out to me. By Thursday I knew I would not make it through another night. Wednesday
night was terrible. I was in a constant shudder. That morning I accidentally poked myself in the thumb. And my knife just slid right
in and this gas escaped, this hissing sound. That was when I really got motivated. I started wrenching my arm and trying to rip my
hand out from the rock in a panic.
And that's when I had the idea that maybe I could bend my arm enough to break my bones. I made a tourniquet, using the
neoprene tubing from my CamelBak and a carabiner. (I did a pretty good job. Four hours later, I'd only lost a little over a liter of
blood.) Then I bent my body downward and dropped my weight down and exerted enough force to break my arm just above the
wrist. It hurt. But it was nothing compared to the amputation, which was ten times that. Especially cutting the nerve. The sensation
was essentially like fire. It felt like I'd thrust the entire arm up to my shoulder in a vat of liquid magma, like it instantly vaporized
my flesh. It took an hour.
I got to the last piece of flesh that was against the wall. I stretched and rotated so that I could get the knife at it and
used the wall as a cutting board. And I sliced through that, and I was free. I staggered backward and I hit the wall, and my body
sort of flattened against it. And all of a sudden, I felt a euphoria, having gone through the process of grieving over my own death and
then being given a rebirth. When we're born, we don't have the senses, the cognition, to understand what it means to be born. And for
me this second birth came with all the advantages of being a fully grown adult and knowing what it means.
That boulder had probably seen hundreds of people climb over it since it had been wedged there however many eons ago. For
whatever reason, when I tried to climb off it, it moved. I think the boulder was put there to teach me something.
In some ways, this whole thing has been the greatest thing that's happened to me. Not just the opportunities it provided—I am
writing a book, and I have two standing offers to be a mountain guide in Aspen, where I live—but also the appreciation of the values I
carry. I learned that if you let your ambition drive you without check from your intuition, you are going to get into trouble. That day, I
came into that canyon at the same time as these two other girls. We struck up a conversation and were instant friends. They invited me
to come out the way they were going and have lunch. And I said, "I appreciate the invitation, but I want to go see these petroglyphs
down at the end of the canyon." When I was stuck under that boulder, I looked at those two women as having been angels sent to save
me from what was coming. And I ignored them.
Since my recovery, I've attempted to hike as many fourteeners as I could in a forty-eight-hour hiking marathon—I climbed
five 14,000-foot peaks in the thirty hours I lasted. I set my personal distance-running record (in August) in the Leadville Trail 100—a
hundred-mile footrace. I was a pacer; I ran with another athlete who was competing and paced him for thirty-five miles of the race.
I don't remember anything in particular about my right hand. What I have in its place is this phantom sensation. My hand
feels like it's balled up in a fist about six inches shorter than where it used to be. When I flex and make it into a tight fist, I can feel the
sensation of my pinkie pushing into my palm. It has diminished over the past three months. For a lot of people who suffered trauma
like I did, though, the phantom sensation stays with them for a long time. Sometimes forever.
31. 30
Leaders develop the ability to control
the desires of both the mind and body,
and they use that control to achieve
demanding goals and perform under
pressure. Leaders have disciplined
minds that refuse to quit.
PANTHERFOOTBALL2014
“When I get tired –
and I always get tired
- I just tell myself
‘just one more step’
over and over and
over until I cross the
finish line.”
~ Frank Shorter,
American marathon running legend
32. 31
“Concentration and
mental toughness
will always be the
cornerstones of
victory.”
~ Bill Russell, Boston Celtics,
11 NBA titles in 13-year career
“Late in the fourth quarter,
what keeps a man going
another play aren’t his
shoulders or pecs or quads
. . . it’s his mind.”
~ Bill Curry, Head Coach
Georgia State University
“Train the mind;
the body will
follow.”
~ Bruce Lee
33. 32
A PROFILE IN MENTAL TOUGHNESS: THE MARINES OF BELLEAU WOOD
DATE: 26 JUNE 1918 – WORLD WAR I
LOCATION: BELLEAU WOOD
(A DENSE, MARSHY FOREST NEAR THE MARNE RIVER IN NORTH EAST FRANCE)
COMBATANTS: U.S. Marines – German Army
DETAILS: After three weeks of some of the bloodiest, most intense fighting in
WWI, the Marines were ordered to make their last charge over hundreds of yards of
wide open field in severe heat while being severely outnumbered by the
Germans. Looking at his men and seeing the doubt in their eyes, the Marines’
commanding officer reset their mental state. He told his men they had been
trained for this very moment. They had been pushed harder than any other troops
in the world. They had been preparing for this charge. He told them that the
Germans were more tired and mentally
exhausted than they were. He summed it up
with his charge: "When it is too tough for
them, it is just right for us!"
The men responded by making the charge and
attacking the Germans a total of six times
before defeating parts of five German army
divisions. Low on ammunition, the Marines
were often reduced to using only their
bayonets and fists in hand-to-hand combat.
A German private, whose company had 30 men
left out of 120, wrote: "We have Americans
opposite us who are terribly reckless
fellows."
According to first-hand newspaper reports in
France, the Germans were so impressed with
the fierceness, bravery and tenacity of the
U.S. Marines, that they called them "Teufel
Hunden" - which means “Devil Dogs”.
The war was over four months later.
34. 33
MENTAL TOUGHNESS: the marshmallow, the jelly, and the rock
In football and in life, people can be broken down into three different groups when it comes to MENTAL
TOUGHNESS: Marshmellows, Jelly Beans, or Rocks.
A marshmellow is soft and very combustible when put into fire. It loses its shape and melts almost
instantly when the heat gets turned up.
o A jelly bean holds its shape in the fire for a little while but eventually it, too, will slowly
disintegrate and melt away.
A rock is different, though. A rock embraces the fire. Its molecules absorb the heat. The
rock holds its shape. There are no burn marks on the inside.
THE QUESTION IS THIS: WHAT ARE YOU?
THE MENTALLY TOUGH BUILD ON FAILURE
“I’ve never been afraid to fail.”
Michael Jordan (missed over 9,000 shots in his career)
One of Thomas Edison’s elementary school teachers called him a dunce (stupid).
He had 14,000 failures before he invented the light bulb.
He also invented the stock ticker, the first motion picture camera, and the first x-ray machine.
Albert Einstein failed several math courses as a child and teenager.
He had dyslexia.
He proved the “theory of relativity” and became the world’s most respected theoretical physicist.
Babe Ruth struck out more times than any player in major league history.
He also hit 714 home runs in his career . . . a record that stood for 39 years.
His lifetime batting average was .342.
No bad for a “fat kid” who grew up in an orphanage.
35. 34
DARE GREATLY
Excerpt from President Teddy Roosevelt’s speech at the Sorbonne
(Paris, France – April 23, 1910)
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong
man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit
belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by the
dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short
again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and
spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the
triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails
while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid
souls who know neither victory or defeat.”
HAVE A PASSION FOR LIFE – STEP INTO THE ARENA!
36. 35
Enthusiasm is the consistent and genuine
expression of joy and excitement. On a daily
basis, a leader must have enthusiasm in order
to inspire those around him. The enthusiasm
of a true leader is contagious, and because of
this, his followers are willing and excited to
join him on their mission
PANTHERFOOTBALL2014
“Arriving in combat
with the enemy, the
way they fight is simple
and disconcerting: they
just CHARGE! They
disembark and assault
together in stride.
They bomb first and
ask questions later –
which cuts short any
hesitation.”
~ A French solider commenting on
American troops in Afghanistan
37. 36
“Enthusiasm releases the drive to
carry you over obstacles and adds
significance to all you do.”
~ Norman Vincent Peale, American minister & author
“Every great and
commanding
movement in the
history of the world is
due to the triumph of
enthusiasm. Nothing
great was ever
achieved without it.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet
“A man can succeed at
almost anything for which he
has unlimited enthusiasm.”
~ Charles M. Schwab, financier
38. 37
“CHARGE!”
by Todd Howey
If you said “CHARGE!” would people follow you?
If you grabbed the flag, what would others do?
Do they believe in you? Enough to go where you lead?
Or do the words you speak lack the fulfillment of deeds?
Do they doubt you and what you’re fighting for?
Will they stand close to you as you run into the roar?
Or will they stay behind showing no faith in your quest?
Leaving all in disarray – searching for one to lead the rest.
Leadership is developed through building other people up,
Serving others with enthusiasm flowing from your cup.
If you do that, you will begin to plainly see . . .
When the yell “CHARGE!” is made, there your people will be!
An Enthusiastic Leader . . .
Offers no reason for anyone on the team to ever question his effort or intensity.
Finds a way to get fired up – even when his muscles ache or the going gets tough.
Never whines moans, complains, or degrades a teammate’s athletic ability.
Does not have to be vocal: you can tell he’s enthusiastic by his body language.
Focuses on getting his teammates to put forth maximum effort.
He encourages, encourages, encourages!
39. 38
The Un-Identical Twins:
Attitude Controls Enthusiasm
For years, an anonymous story has been told about a young set of identical twins who
lived their lives on extreme ends of the mental spectrum. One was an entrenched pessimist –
the world was forever half-empty; the other an unwavering optimist – his world was forever
half-full. Both boys were impossible to dissuade from their views.
Their parents were concerned about their twin boys and took them to a psychologist to
bring some balance to their views on life. The visit took place during the holidays, and the
psychologist suggested that the parents buy all the best toys for the pessimist. The optimist,
the doctor recommended, should get a giant gift box of manure – horse dung.
The parents did as they were told. On Christmas morning, both mother and father each
watched intently as their twins opened their gifts.
The pessimist, in the middle of a mountain of gifts and wrapping paper, complained that
his new iPad was outdated, his new X-Box games were lame, his new cell phone was an
“uncool” brand, and his new mountain bike was the wrong color.
The optimist, who had just one plain cardboard gift box, never compared his gift to his
brother’s. With his hands smeared with brown goo, he sat in front of the Christmas tree
grinning ear to ear.
“How in the world, son, can you be happy with that gift?” his parents asked?
“With all this manure,” he explained, “there’s got to be a pony in the backyard!”
Which twin lived the better life?
Which twin had the “hotter” wife?
Which kid found joy in his career?
Which kid trudged along year-after-year?
40. 39
BURN, BABY BURN!
Do you think Mike Singletary played middle linebacker with a
burning passion? Do you think he had enthusiasm.
The eyes say it all.
Find something you love to do and make a living at it:
building, writing, drawing, medicine, law, hitting quarterbacks
. . . whatever.
What are you enthusiastic about? Make your passion your
career and it will never be just a job!
TIM TEBOW: ENTHUSIASM & PASSION PERSONIFIED
41. 40
When the pressure is on and the
tension is thick, leaders keep their
composure and maintain a clear mind.
A man with poise controls his emotions
and carries himself in a dignified, self-
confident manner that others naturally
notice. Leaders stay calm under fire
when others would panic.
PANTHERFOOTBALL2014
“Calm lies in
quieting the
chattering monkey
inside your own
mind.”
~ Ancient Chinese Proverb
42. 41
“Stay calm.
Take cover.
Return fire.”
~ Marine Corps maxim
on dealing with an ambush
“Poise: the ability
to keep your pants
dry when everyone
else is pissing
theirs.”
~ Clint Eastwood
“Relax.
I got this.”
- Dirk
43. 42
“CAPTAIN COOL”
CHELSEY B. “SULLY” SULLENBERGER
and FLIGHT 1549
On January 15, 2009, Sullenberger was pilot in command of an Airbus A320 from New York's LaGuardia
Airport to Charlotte/Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, North Carolina. The flight was designated as US
Airways Flight 1549 as well as United Airlines Flight 1919. Shortly after taking off, Sullenberger reported to air
traffic control that the plane had hit a large flock of birds, disabling both engines. Several passengers saw the
left engine on fire. Sullenberger discussed with air traffic control the possibilities of either returning to
LaGuardia airport or attempting to land at the Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. However, Sullenberger quickly
decided that neither was feasible, and determined that ditching in the Hudson River was the only option for
everyone's survival. Sullenberger told the passengers to "brace for impact", then piloted the plane to a
smooth ditching in the river at about 3:31 P.M. All passengers and crew members survived. He later said, "It
was very quiet as we worked, my co-pilot and I. We were a team. But to have zero thrust coming out of those
engines was shocking—the silence." Sullenberger walked the unflooded part of the passenger cabin twice to
make sure everyone had evacuated before retrieving the plane's maintenance logbook and being the last to
evacuate the aircraft.
Sullenberger, described by friends as "shy and reticent", has been noted for his poise and calm
demeanor during the crisis. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, for example, dubbed him, "Captain
Cool". However, Sullenberger acknowledged that he had suffered some symptoms of posttraumatic stress for
the first couple of weeks following the crash, including sleeplessness and flashbacks, though this condition had
improved by the time of his late February 2009 interview with People magazine. In a CBS 60 Minutes
interview, he was quoted as saying that the moments before the crash were "the worst sickening, pit-of-your-
stomach, falling-through-the-floor feeling" that he had ever experienced. Speaking with news anchor Katie
Couric, Sullenberger said, "One way of looking at this might be that for 42 years, I've been making small,
regular deposits in this bank of experience: education and training. And on January 15 the balance was
sufficient so that I could make a very large withdrawal."
44. 43
WHEN THE PRESSURE IS ON
How do you act when the pressure’s on
When the chance for victory is almost gone,
When Fortune’s star has refused to shine,
When the ball is on your one-inch line?
How do you act when the going’s rough,
Does your spirit lag when breaks are tough?
Or is there in you a flame that glows?
How hard, how long will you fight the foe?
That’s what the world would like to know.
Cowards can fight when they’re out ahead.
The uphill grind shows a thoroughbred.
You wish for success . . . then tell me, son,
How do you act when the pressure’s on?
45. 44
Leaders earn the respect of others
because they are trustworthy, steady,
and reliable. Consistency is the key to
dependability - in attendance, attitude,
and performance. You cannot be a
leader unless you can be counted on.
PANTHERFOOTBALL2014
"I think being called
dependable is the
greatest compliment
a teammate or coach
can give to a player.
It means he can be
trusted and counted
on to give his best
effort always."
~ Rick Carlisle
46. 45
"I'll take the guy who's
good and solid everyday
rather than the guy who's
spectacular every once in
awhile. Winning requires
dependable players."
~ Bill Belichick, New England Patriots
"I can count on you.
You can count on me.
Dependability is the
key to successful
team play."
~ Eddie Robinson,
Grambling State University coaching legend
47. 46
HOW TO BE DEPENDABLE
#1 – KEEP YOUR PROMISES
DO WHAT YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO DO.
FULFILL YOU DUTIES WITHOUT EXCUSES.
NEVER SHRUG-OFF OR NEGLECT DOING YOUR SHARE OF THE WORK.
REMEMBER YOUR COMMITMENTS.
IF YOU SAY IT, MEAN IT.
#2 – BE CONSISTENTLY PUNCTUAL
BE ON TIME (EARLY) ALL THE TIME.
DO YOUR WORK WHEN YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO IT.
#3 – BE HONEST & FAITHFUL
IF YOU LIE OR STEAL . . . JUST ONCE . . . YOU ARE NOT DEPENDABLE.
BE CONSTANT . . . BE A ROCK.
#4 – TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
TAKE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR ACTIONS . . . GOOD & BAD.
TRY NOT TO SCREW UP VERY OFTEN, BUT OWN UP TO IT WHEN YOU DO.
Can we count on you?
48. 47
“THE IRON HORSE”
LOU GEHRIG: A profile in Dependability
No player in baseball history has combined the qualities of Gehrig: he was
the greatest first baseman ever, one of the three or four best hitters the game had
ever seen, an enduring part of the Yankees legend, and eventually a tragic figure of
mythic proportion. Because he was a native New Yorker and a charismatic, humble
figure, his popularity in the 1930s was unsurpassed.
Lou Gehrig was so durable and dependable that he was nicknamed "The Iron
Horse" - he played in an amazing 2,130 consecutive games, a record which stood
for over 54 years. The big first baseman teamed with Babe Ruth to form the
greatest one-two punch in Baseball history. He had at least 100 RBI and 100 runs
every full season of his career - 13 straight years - led the AL 5 times in RBI and 4
times in runs. He topped 150 RBI 7 times, a ML record, and is third all-time on the
RBI list. His .632 slugging average also ranks third, and when he retired, only Ruth
had hit more home runs. His 184 RBI in 1931 remains the modern AL mark.
YANKEE TEAMMATES COULD COUNT ON LOU GEHRIG.
49. 48
A steadfast persistence in overcoming
adversity allows a leader to never quit.
Leaders endure. Leaders press on.
Leaders respond to temporary failure in
a positive manner because they refuse
to lose faith in themselves.
PANTHERFOOTBALL2014
"PRESS ON."
50. 49
"It's not that I'm
so smart, it's just
that I stay with
problems longer.”
~ Albert Einstein
“It's not so important
who starts the game
but who finishes it."
~ John Wooden,
UCLA basketball coaching legend
51. 50
LEADERS PERSEVERE
ABRAHAM LINCOLN - Didn’t Quit
A story of struggle . . . and a story of triumph
1831 Failed in business
1832 Defeated in Illinois state legislature race
1833 Second failed business
1836 Suffered nervous breakdown
1838 Defeated for Speaker of the House
1840 Defeated for state elector
1843 Defeated for Congress
1848 Defeated for Congress again
1855 Defeated for Senate
1856 Defeated for Vice President
1858 Defeated for Senate again
1860 ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Born into extreme poverty, Abraham Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. The young love of his
life died suddenly. One of his children, a boy, died as a toddler. He lost eight elections, twice failed in
business, and suffered a nervous breakdown.
Lincoln could have quit many times, but he didn’t . . . and because he persevered, he eventually became one
of the greatest Presidents in the history of our nation.
Lincoln once said: “The sense of obligation to continue is present in all of us. A duty to strive is the duty of all
of us. I felt a call to that duty.”
Probably the greatest example of perseverance is, in fact, Abraham Lincoln. If you want to learn about
somebody who didn’t quit, look no further.
52. 51
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
When you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit . . .
Rest if you must, but DON’T YOU QUIT.
Life is strange with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow . . .
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out . . .
The silver tint in the clods of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It might be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit . . .
It’s when things seem worst that YOU MUST NOT QUIT.
53. 52
PERSEVERANCE and “THE INNER VOICE”
One of the traits of a mentally tough person is a well-trained “Inner Voice” that remains strong and positive even when
the body is exhausted. The following is a comparison of the inner voices of the mentally weak and the mentally tough.
THE MENTALLY WEAK ATHELTE SAYS . . . THE MENTALLY TOUGH ATHLETE SAYS . . .
“It can’t be done. We’re doomed to fail.” “It’ll be a challenge. We’ll figure it out.”
“I’m exhausted. I can’t go another play” “I’ll survive. I’ve got another play in me.”
“Practice sucks! I just want to play!” “Preparation leads to success in the game.”
“That guy is better than me!” “I’ll wear this guy down by the fourth quarter.”
“Thank God that’s over!” “Thank God I went through it!”
IF by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!
54. 53
A deep-down belief in yourself and
your abilities. People with
confidence have a certain “swagger”
that draws others to them. One
achieves confidence by working,
being prepared, and succeeding.
Confidence is earned; it cannot be
issued like a uniform.
PANTHERFOOTBALL2014
“The key to
success is self-
confidence. The
key to self-
confidence is
preparation.”
~ Arthur Ashe
tennis legend
55. 54
“Kill the snake of doubt in your soul, crush
the worms of fear in your heart, and
mountains will move out of your way.”
~ Kate Seredy, author
“Leap timidly and
perish. Leap boldly
and the net will
appear.”
~ Italian Proverb
56. 55
CONFIDENCE vs. ARROGANCE: A DICTIONARY BATTLE
A man must have confidence – he must believe in himself and his abilities – if he wants to lead and reach his true
potential. But there’s a fine line between confidence and arrogance; that fine line will be exposed below.
Confidence (noun)
1. a firm belief; trust; reliance
2. the fact of being or feeling certain; assurance
3. belief in one’s own abilities; self-assurance
synonyms: self-assurance, aplomb, poise, fearlessness, boldness, stoutheartedness, sureness, certitude, conviction,
self-esteem, tenacity, mettle, fortitude, élan, resolute, daring, spirit, grit, cool, backbone, nerve, spunk, chutzpah.
Arrogance (noun)
1. being full of unwarranted pride and self-importance
2. behaving with overbearing pride, self-importance, or hubris.
synonyms: hauteur, hubris, pomposity, insolence, smugness, vanity, overconfidence, braggadocio, ostentatious,
egotism, ego, conceited, pretentious.
“DO NOT FEAR YOUR OWN GREATNESS”
The following passage was written by Marianne Williamson.
Nelson Mandela (right) was so impressed and moved by
Williamson’s words that he read the passage during his
1994 inaugural address as new Prime Minister of South Africa.
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be so brilliant and talented?
Actually, who are you NOT to be?
You are a child of God. Your ‘playing small’ does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people
won’t feel unsure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
As we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
57. 56
SELF-CONFIDENCE
(author unknown)
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you’d like to win but you think you can’t
It’s almost certain you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’ve lost.
For out in the world you’ll find
Success begins with a fellow’s will –
It’s all in the state of mind.
Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But sooner or later, the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can.
58. 57
A leader treats others the way he would
like to be treated. Leaders are
gentlemen. Leaders are polite and
considerate. Leaders are kind and take
care of those in need. A leader keeps his
word. A leader looks folks in the eye and
always makes good on his promises. A
leader does the right thing.
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“Any man can be great
because every man can
serve; we can all help
others. You don’t have
to have a college degree
to serve. Your subject
and verb don’t have to
agree to serve. You
only need a heart full of
grace. A soul generated
by love.”
~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
59. 58
“More often
than we
suspect, the
lives of
others we do
affect.”
~ Coach John Wooden,
UCLA Basketball
“It’s the action, not the
fruit of the action that is
important. You must do
the right thing. You may
never know or enjoy the
fruit of your action or
kindness, but that doesn’t
mean you stop trying to do
the right thing.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
60. 59
Do it with ClasS
CLASS is respect for others. It is a deep and genuine respect for ever human
being, regardless of his status in life.
CLASS is having manners. It is always saying “thank you” and “please”. It is
complimenting people for any and every task well done.
CLASS is treating every other person as you would want them to treat you in a
similar situation.
CLASS never makes excuses for one’s own shortcomings, but it always helps
others bounce back from their mistakes.
CLASS never brags or boasts about one’s own accomplishments, and it never
tears down or diminishes the achievements of another person.
CLASS does not depend on money, status, success, or ancestry. The wealthy
aristocrat may not even know the meaning of the word, yet the poorest man
in town may radiate class in everything he does.
If you have CLASS, everyone will know it, and you will have self-respect.
If you are without class – good luck, because no matter what you
accomplish in life, it will never have meaning.
BE A MAN
WHO
“RADIATES”
CLASS.
61. 60
The Bixby Letter
From the Executive Mansion
Washington, D.C., November 21, 1864
To Mrs. Bixby – Boston, Mass.
Dear Madam:
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the
Adjutant General of Massachusetts, that you are the mother of five sons
who have died gloriously on the field of battle.
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should
attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I
cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found
in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your
bereavement and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and
lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a
sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours very sincerely and respectfully,
Abraham Lincoln
62. 61
THE DASH
by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of his friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth…
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard…
are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
That can still be rearranged
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile…
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy’s being read
with your life’s actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?
“…what mattered most
of all was the dash
between those years . . .”
63. 62
All great leaders have the competitive
fire to achieve and to be successful.
The desire to compete and win is so
strong that any preparation necessary
will be accomplished.
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“Love the game
and love to
compete.”
~ Magic Johnson
64. 63
“Don’t measure
yourself by what you
have accomplished
but by what you
should have
accomplished with
your ability.”
~ John Wooden, UCLA basketball
coach 10 national titles in a 12 year
period (1964-1975)
“Who Dares, Wins.”
~ Motto of the British SAS - SPECIAL AIR SERVICES (Special Forces)
65. 64
THE LION & THE GAZELLE
On the plains of Africa every morning a gazelle wakes up
knowing that it must outrun the fastest lion if it wants to stay alive.
Every morning a lion wakes up knowing that it must run
faster than the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death.
It makes no difference whether you’re the lion or the gazelle:
when the sun comes up, your butt better hit the ground running.
EVERY DAY IS A COMPETITION.
COMPETE WITH OTHERS.
COMPETE WITH YOURSELF.
BE URGENT.
66. 65
WHAT IT TAKES TO BE NUMBER ONE
by Coach Vince Lombardi
Green Bay Packers
"Winning is not a sometime thing; it's an all the time thing. You don't win once in a while; you
don't do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit.
Unfortunately, so is losing.
"There is no room for second place. There is only one place in my game, and that's first place. I have
finished second twice in my time at Green Bay, and I don't ever want to finish second again. There is
a second place bowl game, but it is a game for losers played by losers. It is and always has been an
American zeal to be first in anything we do, and to win, and to win, and to win.
"Every time a football player goes to play his trade he's got to play from the ground up — from the
soles of his feet right up to his head. Every inch of him has to play. Some guys play with their heads.
That's O.K. You've got to be smart to be number one in any business. But more importantly, you've
got to play with your heart, with every fiber of your body. If you're lucky enough to find a guy with a
lot of head and a lot of heart, he's never going to come off the field second.
"Running a football team is no different than running any other kind of organization — an army, a
political party or a business. The principles are the same. The object is to win — to beat the other
guy. Maybe that sounds hard or cruel. I don't think it is.
"It is a reality of life that men are competitive and the most competitive games draw the most
competitive men. That's why they are there — to compete. To know the rules and objectives when
they get in the game. The object is to win fairly, squarely, by the rules — but to win.
"And in truth, I've never known a man worth his salt who in the long run, deep down in his heart,
didn't appreciate the grind, the discipline. There is something in good men that really yearns for
discipline and the harsh reality of head to head combat.
"I don't say these things because I believe in the "brute" nature of man or that men must be brutalized
to be combative. I believe in God, and I believe in human decency. But I firmly believe that any
man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has
worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle — victorious."
67. 66
Leaders aspire to accomplish great
things in life. They want to have a
positive, lasting influence on those
around them. Leaders passionately
communicate this “vision of greatness”
so others are inspired to follow them.
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“Our truest life
is when we are in
dreams wide awake.”
~ Henry David Thoreau, poet
68. 67
“Every great endeavor begins with a
dreamer. Always remember, you have
within you the strength, the patience, and
the passion to reach for the stars to change
the world.”
~ Harriet Tubman
“All men dream but not equally. Those who
dream by night in the dusty recesses of
their minds wake in the day to find that it
was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are
dangerous men, for they may act on their
dream with open eyes to make it possible.”
~ T.E. Lawrence, soldier, rebel, leader, dreamer
69. 68
EMMITT SMITH: A VISION OF GREATNESS
Book Excerpt from Emmitt Smith's "Game On"
The record book says that in my NFL career, I ran for 164 touchdowns and 18,355 yards, surpassing Walter Payton's all-time
leading rushing record of 16,726 yards. I'm here to tell you I ran for a lot more touchdowns and a lot more yards at old Malaga
Square. As I sprinted down the field of my boyhood dreams, I'd transform into each of my football heroes one after the other,
imitating each player's signature moves.
I could hear the roar of the crowd with every cut back, every spin, and every fresh burst of speed. My creative mind was racing
even faster than my legs. I was a boy at play, but something far more important and lasting was taking place in that park.
A child was running after his dreams on the power of his imagination.
In a sense, I've never stopped running. And I've never stopped dreaming.
A Championship-Level Dreamer
I believe there are great things in store for my life and yours, too. Greatness is not reserved for VIPs. Happiness and fulfillment
are not limited commodities. The question is, are you willing to do whatever it takes to become the person you need to be, to
achieve the life you want to live?
If you are happy right where you are, that's fine. But if you feel that God has more in store for you, then I encourage you to step
into your workout gear and read on. The first step in this process is to trust in your vision for that better life and dare to dream
70. 69
big. The Bible says in Numbers 12:6, "If there were prophets among you, I, the LORD, would reveal myself in visions. I would
speak to them in dreams."
Wiser men than I have commented over the centuries about the awesome power of our visions, our dreams, and the human
imagination. Poets, philosophers, writers, great military and political leaders, and probably even a rap star or two have noted
that our visions and dreams are the pathways and portals to a better life. That has certainly been true for me, and it can be true
for you, too.
We are all born naked into this world, but each of us is fully clothed in potential. Every one of us possesses unique gifts that we
must embrace and develop to the fullest. But we can't do that if we don't have a vision. We can't do that if we're afraid to dream.
I'm not referring to idle daydreams or grandiose, self-centered imaginings. I'm talking about the way you visualize or picture the
life you yearn for, the life that God is calling you to. Having vision means picturing in your mind what it will be like and how you
will achieve it and build upon it. Dreaming means "rehearsing" what you see, playing it over and over in your mind until it
becomes as real to you as your life right now.
The two go together. Vision gets the dreams started. Dreaming employs your God-given imagination to reinforce the vision. Both
are part of something I believe is absolutely necessary to building the life of a champion, a winner, a person of high character
who is consistently at the top of whatever game he or she is in.
I was a championship-level dreamer as a boy. When we were riding in our parents' car through the nicer neighborhoods of
Pensacola, my sister and brothers and I would spot our favorite big homes and claim them: "That brick one's mine!" "The house
with the big front porch is mine!"
Other times we'd sit on the curb in our own neighborhood and claim the nicest
cars passing by. "Oh, that Mustang is mine!" "That Cadillac is mine!"
What can I say? We were just crazy kids. But even though we came from a low-
income family, we dared to dream that anything was possible for us, anything
was within our reach if we were willing to work for it and keep reaching for it.
Winning isn't something that just happens to you on the field when the whistle
blows or the crowd roars. Winning is something that is built physically and
mentally every day that you train and every night that you dream. The victories
we achieve, then, are the result of the vision that fuels our commitment to
making our dreams a reality.
71. 70
True leaders inspire others to join
together for a common cause. They
possess the ability to persuade people
to put aside differences and individual
gain for a unified effort to achieve a
greater goal.
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“If your actions inspire
others to dream more, learn
more, do more, and become
more – you are a leader.”
~ John Quincy Adams,
U.S. founding father & American statesman
72. 71
“A leader is a dealer in hope.”
~ Napoleon, French military genius
“Go to the people. Learn from them. Live with
them. Start with what they know. Build with
what they have. The best of leaders when the job
is done, when the task is accomplished, the
people will say we have done it ourselves.”
~ Lao Tzu, ancient Chinese philosopher
73. 72
“OLD WARWICK”
A man was lost while driving through the countryside. As he tried to reach for his map, he
accidentally drove off the road and into a ditch. Though he wasn’t injured, his car was struck deep
down in the mud. So the man walked to a nearby farm to ask for help.
“Warwick, my old mule, can get you out of that ditch,” said the farmer, pointing to the
mangy, undersized beast out in the field. The man looked at the decrepit old mule, then back at the
farmer, who just stood there repeating, “Yep, Ol’ Warwick can do the job.”
The man figured he had nothing to lose. The two men and the mule made their way back to
the ditch, and the farmer hitched the mule to the vehicle. With a snap of the reins the farmer
chanted: “Pull, Fred! Pull, Jack! Pull, Ted! Pull, Warwick!”
The motorist was amazed. He thanked the farmer, patted the mule, and asked, “Why did you
call out all those names before you called out Warwick?”
The farmer grinned and said, “Old Warwick is just about blind. But as long as he believes
he’s a part of a team, hell, he can pull just about anything.”
Most people want to be a part of a team.
Find value in others.
Bring people together!
74. 73
The Blacksmith’s Shop
by Max Lucado
"As iron sharpens iron, men sharpen men." Proverbs 27:17
In the shop of a blacksmith, there are three types of tools.
There are tools on the junk pile:
outdated, broken, dull, rusty.
They sit in the cobwebbed corner . . .
useless to their master, oblivious to their calling.
There are tools on the anvil: melted down, molten hot,
moldable, changeable.
They lie on the anvil, being shaped by their master, accepting
their calling.
There are tools of usefulness: sharpened, primed, defined,
mobile.
They lie ready in the blacksmith’s tool chest, available to their
master, fulfilling their calling.
Some people lie useless: lives broken, talents wasting, fires quenched, dreams dashed.
They are tossed in with the scrap iron, in desperate need of repair, with no notion of purpose.
Others lie on the anvil: hearts open, hungry to change, wounds healing, visions clearing.
They welcome the painful pounding of the blacksmith’s hammer, longing to be rebuilt, begging to be called.
Others lie in their Master’s hands: well tuned, uncompromising, polished, productive.
They respond to their Master’s forearm, demanding nothing, surrendering all.
We are all somewhere in the blacksmith’s shop. We are either on the scrap pile, in the Master’s hands on the
anvil, or in the tool chest. (Some of us have been in all three.)
75. 74
TOP LEADERS LIST
DIRECTIONS: Fill in the names of up to three teammates who best fit each question. Be completely honest.. You can list
yourself if you feel you fit the question.
A. List the top three teammates who have the best WORK ETHIC on the team.
1. _______________________ 2. _______________________ 3. ______________________
B. List the top three teammates who seem to have the most CONFIDENCE.
1. _______________________ 2. _______________________ 3. ______________________
C. List the top three teammates who are the most MENTALLY TOUGH.
1. _______________________ 2. _______________________ 3. ______________________
D. List the top three teammates who you TRUST the most.
1. _______________________ 2. _______________________ 3. ______________________
E. List the top three teammates who are the MOST COMPETITIVE.
1. _______________________ 2. _______________________ 3. ______________________
G. List the top three teammates who HELP UNIFY THE TEAM.
1. _______________________ 2. _______________________ 3. ______________________
H. List the top three people who are willing to confront & hold teammates ACCOUNTABLE.
1. _______________________ 2. _______________________ 3. ______________________
I. List the top three people who have the best ATTITUDE on the team.
1. _______________________ 2. _______________________ 3. ______________________
