By Dr. Pete Paciorek
For as long as I have been coaching youth sports, the rumor has been that the sport of football would not survive another ten years. Gratefully, “Friday Night Lights” continue to illuminate skylines across the United States three decades later. The debate about the safety and significance of tackle football dates back to the Presidential term (1901-1909) of Teddy Roosevelt.
Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States of America, fought tooth and nail for preserving football [and all sports] as an integral part of the character development of our country’s youth. President Roosevelt’s legacy is tied to key foundational ideals that helped form the fabric of America: Teamwork, Hard Work, Courage, and Sacrifice. These concepts are highlighted in his famous “Man in the Arena” address.
As the Head of Character Development & Leadership at the prestigious IMG Academy, I am fortunate to mentor some of the world’s most dedicated and talented young student-athletes. Football is one of the sports that I feel privileged to work with. It is a sport that I deeply value because of the expressed commitment to brotherhood and family that the coaching staff and players have toward one another. The mutual respect players have on both sides of the ball is inspiring.
Despite my love for the game, the final horn signals my favorite part of football at all levels. The players go at it, head to head, for 48 minutes in the high school game and 60 minutes in the pros, and I am always in awe at the end of the game when the opposing players and coaches embrace each other out of what appears to be deep respect and gratitude. We witness this in different sports, though it is far less frequent. It reminds me of how soccer players sometimes exchange jerseys at the end of a hard-fought match.
If coaches have done their jobs, the players have been taught the true meaning of competition, and the scene after the game is a special moment. As a coach who prides himself in building men of character, I have always been envious (in a good way) of football coaches. No other sport cultivates a commitment to the team, hard work, courage, and sacrifice like football. These concepts are highlighted in President Roosevelt’s famous “The Man in the Arena” address.
During one of our Leadership and Character Development sessions with our IMG Academy Football program in the winter, we took the time to discuss the players’ favorite aspects from “The Man in the Arena.” Below are some of the key takeaways that pertain to character, leadership, and the pursuit of a lifelong achievement:
- Leaders stay focused on their purpose and don’t let doubters deter them
- Leaders accept and take on the challenges of each day
- Leaders may fall short, but they do not give in to adversity
- Leaders strive valiantly to be their best for their team
- Leaders bring positive energy and unwavering commitment
- Leaders do not fear failure
- Leaders are bold in the pursuit of excellence
The sport of football is both a revealer and a builder of character. The most significant rewards in life come from the shared purpose towards excellence and a commitment to the greater good. These invaluable life lessons may be why we see American Football growing globally. As parents, coaches, and educators, we want to ensure that our youth across the world are learning life lessons about respect (for authority, for rules, for peers), forming lasting friendships, and being prepared for life after the glow of the lights on Friday nights. These formidable moments in the spotlight will fade, but the lessons learned in sports can last a lifetime.
More About Pete...
Dr. Pete Paciorek, is the Head of Leadership & Character Development at IMG Academy. He was a professional baseball player for close to a decade. Pete comes from a family of 11 professional baseball players and shares insights into the intricate balance between development and fun in youth sports. He has a doctorate in Character Education & Servant Leadership and has coached student-athletes for 30 years.
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