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Why Being a Parent is Similar to Being an NFL Coach


I love sports.

Maybe it’s the cut and dry of it. 

Maybe it’s the constant competitive edge. 

Maybe it’s the way the players and coaches must ride the ultimate roller coaster of life like the rest of us…

Maybe it’s because, even though I get paid nothing, and they get paid millions, we basically do the same thing; develop people.

Recently, I found myself relating more to being an NFL coach when the New England Patriots coach, Bill Belichick, took on Albert Haynesworth and Chad Occhocinco.

Chad and Albert (a.k.a.Haynesworth and Occhocinco) were not that great in society. They have their issues both on and off the field. 

But, Bill Belchick had decided that he was going to take these two guys in anyhow, and he got an earful for it:
‘Then came Belichick, blindsiding his doubters once again.’
 ‘The Patriots coach has never been afraid of taking on character issues, of course, and Belichick also has the luxury of some guy named Tom Brady to handle the signal-calling in the meantime’.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/using_mallett_296Nw8aSTksUCbnPlmlMtO#ixzz1Tw5Y9poY

As parents, or NFL coaches, we don’t always get blessed with angels; sometimes we get bad apples.

My dad used to tell me, ‘no matter how hard you work, your children will always do what they want to…and it might not always be good’.

It scares me, but my father is right… just because we are good people does not ensure us good children, or in Bill Belichick’s situation; good citizens.

But...just because these children and players might have issues....

Does that mean we’re supposed to give up on them and throw them by the wayside?

I don’t think so.

I think we are supposed to work harder with them, nurture them more, believe in them and encourage them louder.

Like a troubled team player, a teenager cannot come in to themselves right away or become who they were meant to be over night.

You are the ‘parent’ of your child or the coach of your team, and only you have that ‘feeling’ about your star.

Only you know whether or not you can transform that player into a phenomenal team member, and what it will take.

I bet it will probably take some compassion, a no-nonsense attitude, belief, strength and LOTS of Love.

But in the end, you will be the millionaire when you see them succeed...

Today’ s message: 
Don’t give up on the tough ones because they challenge you; there are NFL coaches everywhere who'd pay millions for kids like yours.

cincyjungle 

 
 Truly,
Amber

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