an experience that will forever be cherished and hopefully recaptured
an experience that will forever be cherished and hopefully recaptured
Not only am I a fan of NFL football but more so I’m a fan of strong, effectual leaders. Sure I really enjoy the big plays, the big hits, and the long bomb in the last seconds of the game that scores the winning touchdown. Most of all, though, I admire the leadership principles that pervade the sport. You’ll hear these principles touted in many of the interviews with the best coaches and players throughout the league.…
Leadership is defined as “a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task”. In my opinion, leadership is one of the most desirable qualities that a person can possess. No matter the environment, leaders are needed in every aspect of life. Children need leaders to help them develop, students need leaders to help them learn, and teams need leaders to help the group achieve a common goal. But the real question emerges, how does one become a leader? Are leaders born, or do they rise to the occasion? How do leaders get their peers to rally around their actions? Former National Football League linebacker Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens epitomizes what a leader should be on the field. Lewis was a linebacker for 17 seasons (1996-2012) for the Baltimore Ravens, and the early 2000’s Ravens defense is considered one of the greatest units in sports history. However, while Ray Lewis was viewed as one of the best on the field leaders in NFL history, however his legacy, reputation, and image were tainted by actions away from the playing field.. How is it that a figure like Ray Lewis could be so revered on the field, but off the field he was heavily criticized for his actions and behavior? Throughout this essay I will analyze Ray Lewis’ upbringing and discuss how he developed his leadership qualities that caused former teammate Jamal Lewis to say, “In recent history, I can’t really think of a player who has been as valuable to a team as Ray Lewis has been. He’s a different player, as far as his physicality, his passion off the field, his work ethic, and at the same time he can lead vocally. You don’t have all of that in one player, and I think that’s what makes him a Hall of Famer and probably the best linebacker to ever play the game.” (Belmont 41). I will draw on Lewis’ leadership qualities and compare and contrast them to figures we studied throughout the semester…
“Do your job.” A simple quote by Bill Belichick (New England Patriots Head Football Coach) but this quote means a lot about my character. The reason it means a lot to me is because if you work tremendously hard and do your job your team will be successful. My head football coach, Mike Rowe uses this quote as well and adds “If everybody does your job you will be successful. Trust your teammates since they will fight for you and the rest of the team.” I am tying this quote to football but it can be used in any team sport you are involved in. Football teaches character and that’s why I love it so much. I’ve learned so much about myself and how I want to live my life just from being in football.…
Crust, L., & Lawrence, I. (2006). A Review of Leadership in Sport: Implications for Football Management. The Online Journal of Sport Psychology, 8(4), 28-48. Retrieved November 2, 2010, from http://www.athleticinsight.com/Vol8Iss4…
Jim Thompson wrote, ”Sports provide an endless procession of teachable moments, which can be obscured by a win at all cost mentality.” I will explained with the information I have been given and with the information I already have. Sports, as I mentioned before, they can help in many different ways. For example, work when you are working and you stumble upon a problem that you can’t fix by yourself. You ask for help which is teamwork and collaboration. Jim Thompson Jim Thompson exclaimed, ”All distractions from the big picture life lessons that can include teachable spirit, resilience, grit, self confidence, teamwork, determination and empathy.” Finally one of the biggest and most important thing there is, don’t be selfish because you will ruined the point of the game for you and your teammates and then the point of the game will be for nothing no teamwork, no leadership and no…
Each year millions of Americans watch and play both football and baseball. Whether it be the excitement of a walkoff homer in the bottom of the ninth inning, or a Hail Mary pass in the fourth quarter, we continue to enjoy them year after year. While Texans may argue that football is the superior sport, and Californians the opposite, can these sports really be compared? Nearly everything about them is different, right down to the shape of the ball. But both sports unite us, whether it be on the field, in the stands, or at home on the couch. They teach the value of teamwork and communication being used to achieve a common goal. Despite both football and baseball being based on teamwork, the type of teamwork used in football can help more in…
There are over seven billion people on this Earth, so what is it that makes me so different? I wear Nike, I drive a car, I play video games, I have chores, and could be considered a pretty normal person. I love, I laugh, I get angry, and I have emotions just like every other human being. The one thing I heavily identify with is football. For as long as I can remember I’ve played ball, and made some great friends along the way. The picture in the top left is a great representation of this. Football has taught me lessons of leadership, perseverance,toughness, how to deal with the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows. (Bottom left: aftermath of beating Staley) Above all else, the best thing it has taught me was loyalty. Not only loyalty to a cause, but loyalty to my brothers, and ultimately my family. Football has created a foundation for my character, and without it I am certain I would not be the same person I am today.…
This quote has been the foundation for my father's belief that team sports teach commitment. When I started middle school my father insisted that I do a team sport. At the time I had been riding horses for many years and was facing a fork in the road and had to make a big decision. At 11 years old I changed the course of my life by joining a team sport in which I have learned the value of personal commitment, strong leadership skills, and how to challenge myself to achieve both mine and my teammates’ goals.…
Aside from medicine, I have a deep passion for soccer. I grew up playing soccer with my friends in the streets of Lebanon where regardless of one’s religion, socioeconomic status, or education level everyone has one thing in common: their passion for soccer. As a junior in high school, I developed a proposal to my school board with the purpose of establishing a team at our school and playing organized tournaments with other local schools. Through this sport, I learned the essence of teamwork and collaboration. Being the captain of the soccer team highlighted the importance of effective communication and positive vibes between the whole team. My self-esteem increased as I developed my listening skills and became a leader everyone can confidently rely on.…
As a student wanting to be a part of the NHS program, it is essential that I demonstrate the core values. Individually, I exemplify the characteristics of a leader. I have played club volleyball for 5 years, currently going on my 6th year, and I have been captain for the previous 4 years, despite moving to a new club. Many people are unaware of the pressure given to a team captain. A captain is constantly looked up to as an example and exhibits leadership traits. As a captain, it is my responsibility to coordinate my teammates’ role and constantly motivate and encourage. I want the best outcome for my team and it is my duty to help them achieve greatness. In order to do so, I treat my team with respect and and recognize the contributions of…
Unfortunately, I did not realize that until I saw my bad habits and poor choices mimicked by the players. I was under the belief that was exempt from the rules. Instead of being an example, I showed up late, wore what I wanted, and ate goldfish and chewed on sunflower seeds on the field. The young kids looked up to me, and wanted to be like me. Failing to set a positive example for the kids, I needed to humble myself and lead, instead of feeling that I was above it all. None of the older coaches called out my failure to lead by example, so I was left to find my error on my own. After seeing it in the 11 year olds, it was quite necessary to step out of my comfort zone and conform to their rules. That moment became one of the defining moments of my young life. I led by example by humbling myself and accepting my role to serve others. Not only did I act as a leader, but my attitude caused me to glow and explode with a noticeable…
High school football is more than just a sport. It is something for people to build character, and develop values to help them in life. While I have been a Patriot, Tiger, Ram, and Pirate, I have always been myself and contributed long hours in practice for the success of my teams. I will work with all of my might, and muster the knowledge that I have acquired from playing football, to ensure my success. I have learned valuable life lessons in football that have helped develop into a finer man which otherwise I would not have…
From the time I was a young child, I was taught the importance of hard work and dedication. Up to this point, I have lived by these principles, incorporating them into every aspect of my life. Although this determination has proved useful in many circumstances, it has been most apparent in my one true passion: soccer. I have put my heart and soul into the sport since the moment my five-year-old feet first touched a ball. Now I believe that growing up is about making decisions that one’s former self would have been much too frightened or intimidated by to follow through with. In some cases, it is having enough of a backbone to avoid being walked upon by those who think that they have a right to do so, no matter the repercussions. That is why that, in my opinion, the moment that I quit the Seneca Valley Varsity Soccer team was the moment that I finalized my transition from childhood to adulthood.…
For example, the success of my lacrosse team requires that each member makes the team a priority over their personal needs. My lacrosse coach said that we must totally commit our personal time to practice six days a week, as well as playing our games at night. As an individual player it is not an easy task for me to make this personal sacrifice, but I have a commitment not only to my team but also to my individual teammates. When we do this as a whole team, it is easier for each of us to overcome the challenges of sacrificing our personal interests.…
“My actions affect others.” – When you drop the Frisbee during a game, the possession turns over and you and your teammates must run the length of the field, this time on defense. When someone opts not to go to a tournament at the last minute, you feel the loss of that one extra sub, especially on a small team. I learned that my actions affect other people. While my teammates may not say anything, the guilt gnawing inside of me at…