Mike Henderson

Context

Wow.  I  am certain the most all sports enthusiasts were shocked to learn that Urban Meyer, the football coach at Florida, was stepping down.  He is one of the most successful coaches in the game today.

I must admit, one of my first reactions was, "Well, he is loosing his quarterback.  Sounds like the best time to mail it in."

So my first reaction, while not surprised in the sense that it happens often, was a little cynical.  

Of course, once I learned more about the context of the decision I completely understood.  The decision was based on more than just one thing.  Actually there were several factors.

But without all or at least some information the communication process is short-circuited.  That alone may result in confusion, frustration, and in this case sadness for Florida Gator fans.

Also factor in that few people live and breathe football and coaching the way Urban Meyer does.  But over the next few days there will be press conferences and some additional details that will provide the necessary context.

Because without the 'context' there will be lots of second-guessing, cynics, and a lack of understanding.

The Perfect Player

As football finally kicks off as of last night and in earnest this weekend let me end talking about the perfect player.  This week Teddy Bruschi announced his retirement from football.

He had been with the New England Patiots for 13 years.  At one point he had a stroke from which he recovered and returned to play football at a very high level.

Upon his announcement his coach Bill Belichick referred to him as 'the perfect player.'  Deep down I think everyone wants to be remembered as the perfect player.  Perhaps the perfect dad.  The perfect assistant. You name it.

Perfection.  No one will be considered perfect by everyone.  That's ok.  The point is what can I learn, what are some of the characteristics of a player who was called 'perfect' by his coach?

Longevity: Often one's length of time in one place will be the difference maker.  We often overestimate what we do in one year, but underestimate what we can do in a lifetime.

Loyalty: Everyone from food stores to pro sports teams are vying for people's and players loyalty. Loyalty can pay huge dividends and everyone knows it.  You must be 'countable.'  Can others count on you?

Accomplishments:  At the end of the day you have to produce, have results.  Bruschi's list is too long to list, but he was known for his tackles, sacks, and recovered fumbles.

Change: Bruschi started out as a defensive end, but switched to linebacker. It was at that position that he added the most value to the team.  It's always healthy to ask, 'Where can I add the most value to the team, organization, company?'

Attitude: You can tell when someone loves what they do, loves their teammates, and the team they play for.  It's written all over their face.  When Teddy Bruschi gave his retirement announcement, you could see it all over his face.  He loved what he did and where he was.

One day you will arrive at the last day at where you are.  How will you be remembered?  Teddy Bruschi will be remembered as "The Perfect Player."

Sleepers

As we start a new season many are familiar with the star players.  But every year other players emerge and take on the aura of a star.  These are the sleepers.  Everyone has them.  Every team and every company and organization.

I have heard the story of the CEO of IHOP.  She started out as a waitress.  She was a sleeper.  A sleeper is someone with latent talent, leadership skills, and gifts.

Tom Brady was a sleeper.  He was sitting on the bench until the player ahead of him got injured.  Tom Brady has never looked back and will be in the football Hall of Fame one day.

So as the countdown continues to the first kickoff whether in college or the pros there is discussion about who will be the surprise players.  Many are just waiting for the opportunity to show what they can do.  

Where you work, the division you lead, and the office you go to there are sleepers.  Someone is just waiting for the opportunity.  How much goes overlooked? 

Just as the football analysts are discussing it why not have a discussion and talk about who are the sleepers where you are?

Whiners and Diaper Changing

The rest of the week will be devoted to the upcoming football season, the storylines, and lessons for teams or any type of organization.  Friday I will wind up with a blog on "The Perfect Player."

Because I realize that not everyone follows sports I will try to avoid much of the stories and include just the necessary details.

This week one of the big stories is out of the University of Michigan.  Some of the players have been whining about practicing too much. I realize there are rules and limitations.  But why isn't the whole team complaining?

I guess what strikes me is that Rich Rodriguez went to Michigan to rebuild the program and the last thing he needs is whiners.  Nothing new.  Growing up in construction whining among workers was commonplace.  In fact one of the project managers, who was among the best I had ever known, once told me that I would need to change a lot of diapers among grown men.

Even Jesus on occasion found His own disciples whining over things like who would get the best seat,etc.  They even whined about little children bothering Him.  

In my opinion the football players at Michigan need to realize that what the coach needs most from them is not public whining, but support, encouragement, and a desire to win football games.  They have their first game this Saturday and must go in unified.  With 120 players on the team I am sure there are a couple of unhappy players.  Perhaps the allegations are due to someone not getting enough playing time.  Perhaps it's all coming from former players.

Interesting that not one player has talked with the coach personally.  Whiners normally don't. They think it's someone else's fault.  And they want their diaper changed so they can feel better, make more money, or perhaps get more playing time.

Sadly this story is getting attention over some very positive and encouraging stories among some of the sleepers.  We'll talk about them tomorrow.  A much more fun thing to talk about.

Schism

As we get closer to football season story lines begin to develop in earnest.  One of the stories getting quite a bit of press is the Brett Farve story in Minnesota. 

Briefly here is the story for non-football readers and followers.  The Vikings had a couple of quarterbacks in place to compete for the starting job.  But then retired Brett Farve decided to unretire and return to pro football.

The Vikings were very proactive in getting him to come to Minnesota.  Now there is talk that there is a schism among the players.

Now I don't care if it is a football team, a church, or a business.  Schisms are trouble.  Whether or not there is one in Minnesota, the players are denying it.  Perhaps that is true. At the very least they realize schisms or divisions just won't work in an environment where you need chemistry and unity.

The same can be said for the local church.  Evidently the church at Corinth struggled to figure this out. In chapter 11 the apostle Paul rebuked the church by saying, "I cannot praise you.  For it sounds as if more harm than good is done when you meet together.  First, I hear that there are divisions among you when you meet as a church." (verses 17-18 NLT)

Obviously Paul realized that people were preferring one leader over another and that in itself is a sign of spiritual sickness.  I think in Minnesota things will be ok.  Time will tell.  In my next post I will talk about what another team did with someone whose behavior was being detrimental. 

For the record Farve has not done anything but show up to play and win. Others were partial, but it is about putting the best team on the field and winning.  Stay tune for some more learning from the pros.

Vick and the NFL

Last night the news broke that Michael Vick had signed a one year contract/an option for two with the Philadelphia Eagles.  Due to his now well known legal issues many were upset. My first response is 'Why?'

Obviously I do not condone dogfighting or the killing of dogs.  I have had dogs all my life and am an avid dog lover.  I have even been accused of putting dogs above people. But I digress.

There are other players in the NFL who have had kids out of wedlock and now that child will grow up without a dad in the home.  No outcry over that.  Guess dogs are more important than kids.  Other players have mistreated their wives or girlfriends to the extent that the police and courts get involved.  Where is the outcry over those players 'still' playing?  Guess dogs are more valued than women.

Another thing that comes into play is how much value we place on getting a 'second chance.'  Too often we are quick to pull the trigger and give someone just one chance.  Occasionally that's justifiable.  But in this case I believe Vick should get a second chance.  Does he 'deserve' it?  I don't know that we can say he 'deserves' it.  How many of us have gotten a second chance?  How many of us can say we 'deserved' it?

But we were thankful for it and we demonstrated our gratitude.  Hopefully Vick will do the same.  I am glad to see him back in the NFL.

Scorecard

One thing nice about the NCAA tournament is that at the end there is a clear champion. There is a precise way of keeping score.

Don't you wish life were so simple? When I was in construction you could look around and see the tangible results.

Life is much less tangible. You can't measure your personal growth over a twenty four hour period or even a year. Sure, you may have read a book or two, but if there has been no change did you really grow?

For me when I read a book or attend a conference look for three specific takeaways.
Things I can change, act upon, or think differntly about.

What about marriage? No scorecard there. Parenting? None there either. Career? Maybe, maybe not.

Why not take some time and see how many scorecards you can come up with. Have fun with it. Talk about it at work, at home, and with people over a cup of coffee.

College Football and the Church

  Today has traditionally been all about college football.  I plan to watch the Rose Bowl with USC and Penn State, and tonight watch Virginia Tech take on Cincinnati.  Not everyone is happy with the BCS system and the way it defines the national champion.

  Defining success in not always easy.  No matter what field.  Surely every team that does not acheive the championship trophy failed to have a successful year.  Also, in the business world if Walmart's profit increases 2% is that success?  Or is it 4%?

  Let's move to the church.  While at New Hope we measure quite a few things let me mention three things that I aim for every week.

  1.  Was I culturally relevant?  In other words is there anything interesting in the topic or the text?  Which would be more relevant, a talk on 'Sublapsarianism,' or perhaps the 'Hypostatic Union,' or my current series, 'Living It Up In Down Times?'  Seems to me the latter is more relevant.  Now I realize I could take the other topics and break it down, etc.  But I realize that 2009 could be a tough year for many and the current series addresses that.  At one time churches used to have a place outside to tie up horses that people rode to church, and they had wooden furniture for people to sit on.  Today those are not relevant to our society.

  2.  Was the atmosphere engaging?  This one can be a little tough to measure sometimes.  For instance, I know that when people come late they cannot immediately engage mentally and emotionally.  So every time I speak I realize that I may have to work a little harder at the outset of my message to get everyone on the same page.  Perhaps I will start with a question or a video clip.  The point would be to have some type of opening hook to draw people in.

  3.  Was the material helpful?  This past Christmas Eve following the service a woman told me after the service that she had not spoken to her brother in four months.  She was going to go home and work on restoring that relationship.  In other words she found the messge helpful for life change.  And every week that's what I shoot for - life change.

  The BCS system tries to get it right every year.  Unfortunately it doesn't.  I would like to hit these three and more every week, but unfortunately I don't always get it right either.  But just like the football team that comes up short this year, next year they are excited to begin fresh.  And I am excited about January 4.  When that day is over, I will get excited about January 11.  That's 50 weeks a year to teach for Life Change!

Soccer

  Today another birthday.  Gabe has just turned 12.  I have decided to coach his soccer team.   I have been doing this for several years now.  Should have done it for my other son.  For some reason I thought you actually had to know the game.  Let me say I have a fairly good handle on the game.  You only have to know a few things, at least early on.  Next summer I hope to increase my coaching just so I can keep coaching him as long as I can.  But we played the number one team and they wanted to beat us real bad.  We are number two.  Well, if I must say we flat out let them have it and won 3-1.  Over the next few years, who knows maybe forever we'll talk about that win.  Pretty good birthday present.  A win.

Time Flies

   As the Los Angeles Dodgers head in to game 5 of the National League Championship series memories come flooding back into my mind.  When I was in middle school I can recall visiting my grandparents in Tucson, AZ.  At the time I was a baseball fanatic, especially a Dodger fanatic.  I knew all the players stats from batting averages to ERA's for the pitchers.  And I remember pulling up a chair to the kitchen counter and listening to Dodger games on the radio in the evenings as Vin Scully was calling the games.  He has now been calling Dodger games for 59 years.  And I must admit, I love listening to him call games.
   Well, that was forty years ago.  How time flies.