|
|
Speaking |
|
March 22, 2012 You now know officially, why athletes cannot and should not be role models. The New Orleans Saints will be without their Head Coach, Sean Payton for a full-year. Wow. Meanwhile Sean Payton will waive goodbye to $7.5 million dollars, his annual salary. Wow. How does this happen? Because what was supposed to be supreme leadership, turned out to be something less. And make no mistake. Football bounties are not confined to the New Orleans Saints or the NFL. I know for a fact it happens in college, and yes… even in some High Schools. Wow. So if you’re an aspiring athlete in Novi, what are you to make of this? Participation in sports teaches three things. They teach how do deal with failure, the fact that you’re capable of achieving more than you think you are, and the importance of leadership. Respecting leadership, and providing leadership. Sports should emphasize sportsmanship, but often they do not. Trash talking, unruly parents, behind-the-back-sniping and dirty play are just some of things that take place on every level. But, does that help you win games? Will it help you later in life? Will it serve as a foundation for future success? Legendary Notre Dame football Coach Knute Rockne once said, “One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it.” While it’s true that professional sports are a bottom-line business, you either win or lose, achieving success with honor is the ultimate goal. It takes courage to do the right thing. Novi is a class community, and the feeder programs and the High School teams have an excellent reputation. That reputation exists primarily due to strong leadership from caring people. But, it’s always a work in progress and the job is one that is ongoing. So how does such an egregious situation like “Bounty-Gate” engulf a prestigious organization like the New Orleans Saints? Is that the role model you want as your team takes the field as proud Wildcats? It’s exactly right… ‘True courage falls extinct when those with vision fail to seek’ (c) 2012 Novi
Information Network |
|
Bernie Fratto now resides in Las Vegas and is still active in the media, working with Fox Sports 920am as a contributor, and on their Monday Night Football Show, as well as writing weekly columns for JTtheBrick.com. Bernie also hosts a regular podcast, Inside the Frattohouse, on the Internet. Click here to listen to his new feature, updated weekly.
|
|
