March 2005

FROM THE TUNNEY-SIDE-OF-THE-STREET March 2005

#11

To be able to walk away from a game you love - and spent most of your life doing - is perhaps one of the most difficult decisions a player or coach must make. But they - and only they - can and should make it. Jerry Rice, John Chaney and Joe Paterno face that decision in today's athletic world. I faced that dilemma myself when I chose to leave the NFL field after 31 years. Although it may look like one, it's really not a dilemma - ("a choice between undesirable alternatives"). It's more of what do I do next? Long before one "leaves" any profession, he or she needs to plan for alternatives. Some believe they "can't do anything else". Not so! In the case of Rice, Chaney and Paterno their talents are deep and rich. Know what? So are yours. When you believe in yourself, then prepare and plan for the alternatives, you become more confident toward your decision and direction.
Will you approach every opportunity with that in mind?


#12

"Just do the right thing" is a theme that runs through the book, It's the Will, Not the Skill. My life-long involvement in sports taught me to believe in sportsmanship, honesty and fair play, not only on the field but in my dealings with life itself. I always wanted to do my best - both on and off the field. My first mentor, my father, instilled that in me.

The current issue in today's sports - steroids - caused me to reflect on one's ability to be "the best". Drugs, alcohol, steroids or any stimulant have never helped performance. Their use not only is physically harmful, but are also morally and ethically wrong. The use of "performance enhancing" stimulants by today's professional players is a harmful message sent to younger athletes. Not just harmful, but destructive. "Performance enhancing" is not just an oxymoron, but just plain moronic. A temporary high (read: boost) will most definitely be followed by a long lasting destructive low. To be at your best and to properly use one's God given talent, "enhancement" is best achieved through proper eating, rest, correct training and extra effort. When you put in that "extra effort" as in going the extra mile to be your best, you'll find the road (on the extra mile) is not very crowded. Will you keep that focus in helping young athletes be their best?

#13
I love college basketball and its "March Madness". However, as it comes to a close with the NCAA Basketball Championship this week, another "madness" is popping up - again. Should an athlete be paid for playing while attending a college or university? It is true that the extreme amount of time a college sport demands of today's players limits their time to do much else. Nonetheless, I believe college athletics is headed in the wrong direction, if it gives in to the demand to pay its players. If "paying" an athlete happens we will lose what college athletics is all about - education with the privilege of competition. I'm not talking "expense money", I mean giving a player a salary for playing. That's not the path to take.
Time and space does not permit a full discussion here, so suffice it to say that while some financial assistance may be necessary - particularly to those from "needy" backgrounds, paying a salary distracts from the fundamental purpose of college athletics. The "pay" for college athletes is often done through athletic scholarships with the result being a better-educated individual with an advanced degree and an opportunity to contribute to society. Let's not lose the model that these are "student-athletes" and not professional ball players.
Will you help keep education as the primary focus for our college student-athletes?


For more go to www.jimtunney.com

February 2005

FROM THE TUNNEY-SIDE-OF-THE-STREET February 2005

#6
If the leader has no vision, it's going to be a hard road for those following. The leader has to be able to alleviate the intimidation of difficult circumstances and stay focused on the desire and prepared for result. During the football season, the vision sought for every T*E*A*M was to win each game, one game at a time. It is very simple, not very hard at all. A nice, clear vision: win one. But with a lot of people involved and a lot of different elements and ingredients thrown into the mix, it can get complex. So the coach's job is to find that simplicity and help others maintain focus. The coach is the shield, and he fights to nullify the distractions that a team may be experiencing. If he's erasing the distractions, then there had better be something worth believing in to take its place.
Will you do that for your T*E*A*M?

#7

LOVE is the word of the Day on Valentine's Day! Often a Valentine's love is directed at someone special. However, in today's world each of us needs to extend that love to everyone we meet. To the clerk at the market who may treat us as a "non event" rather than as a person or to the guy who "cuts " in front of us on the highway, will we forgive those transgressions?
Seratonin, they tell me, is a chemical in our brain that is released when we 1) commit an act of kindness; 2) receive an act of kindness; 3) observe an act of kindness.
Will you release that seratonin today - and every day?

#8
Gifts are part of the "deal," part of the mystery of life that with belief in ourselves we can find our way. There is no clear reason why some people have the innate talent or physical structure to perform certain tasks while others don't. Or why some people possess the mental tools to achieve in ways that others don't. I have witnessed that on the sports fields. It's all part of the world of unknown possibilities. What is clear is that each of us is empowered to do something well. There it is. It's yours to use for a little while.
Will you accept that gift and use it for good?


#9
Anyone in a position of holding the trust of others should be humbled by the exchange. I have seen a variety of leadership styles on the sports field. So as I read about the National Hockey League negotiations that so horribly broke down, I wanted to remind both the players and the owners that: This is not your game. The game belongs to the fans. The failure of these negotiations lost the trust of the fans. Working together through the nature of trust marks your character. And if that kind of connection is strong and true, then you are an example of integrity.
Will you put trust in your relationships?


#10

The recent movie "Friday Night Lights" was reportedly the true story of Texas High School Football with the Permian Odessa team as its vehicle. I love football because it teaches self-discipline, mental toughness, self-sacrifice and teamwork. Yes, it is a physical -often-brutal - athletic contest. It does not, however, have to be taught by degrading and humiliating the players. Coaching and teaching is done best with patience and persistence. A coach needs to build a T*E*A*M by building its players up - not down.
Will you build your T*E*A*M by building their self worth?

Please visit www.jimtunney.com

January 2005

FROM THE TUNNEY-SIDE-OF-THE-STREET January 2005

#1

On January 9, 1977, I refereed Super Bowl XI in the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California. In the fourth quarter the Minnesota Vikings were making a comeback against the Oakland Raiders, when Fran Tarkenton, Vikings' Quarterback, threw a pass that was intercepted by Willie Brown of the Raiders. Brown ran 75 yards for a touchdown (Raiders won 32-14). Tarkenton turned to me as he was leaving the field and said, "I'll be back". Bouncing back is what life is all about.

Will you do that?

#2

Two of my favorite actors are Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. They were the principal actors in the film "Somethings Gotta Give". It was a love/hate relationship. At one point in the movie, Erica (Diane Keaton) was furious at Harry (Jack Nicholson). Erica said, "You lied to me!" Harry, feeling a bit guilty but keeping his cool, said, "I have never lied to you. I have always told you some version of the truth!" Erica, bristling, said, "Truth has no versions". Remember, truth has no "versions".

Will you be honest with yourself and with others?

#3

During the New York Jets vs. San Diego Chargers (NFL Wildcard Playoff Game on January 7, 2005) Herm Edwards, Jets Head Coach was seen on national TV heatedly shouting at Bishop Harris, Jets' RB Coach about which players Harris was putting on the field. Harris verbally fired back. While emotions are on edge in every NFL game, especially during playoffs, that outburst by Edwards was out of character. He later publicly apologized. Coach Edwards prides himself in always keeping his poise.

As an 18-year old Monterey High School Senior, Herm helped his coach keep his poise. The coach tells it this way: "Just before a big game one of our players complained he didn't get the number he wanted. During my pre-game chalk-talk to the team, he continued to disrupt my talk by complaining. Finally I got so angry I slammed the chalk against the board and stormed out of the room."

"Herm follows me out and says, 'Coach, Coach, you can't do that. Relax. This guy just cries to get his own way. We'll take care of it. You got to enjoy the game.'" Here's an 18-year old kid telling his coach to keep his cool. That's Herman Edwards.

Will you keep your poise ("cool"), when the pressure is really on?

#4

"Just Do It!" - The Nike commercial says. Yet, so many people put off "doing it" - getting the job done. New Year "Resolutions" remain on the shelf. And why? Part of that explanation is the fear of failing. No one wants to fail. In my 31 years as an NFL Referee I never met a running back who wanted to fumble. However, once given the ball, every runner takes off to score a touchdown - never thinking of fumbling. And if a fumble does happen, the next play when that player returns to the huddle, he will say, "Give me the ball again".

When it's your turn to "step up", can you - more like, will you - "take off" for your touchdown? Göethe said many years ago, "At the moment of commitment the work conspires to assist you".

Will you commit to take action?

For more go to www.jimtunney.com

Wright Way

TUNNEY-SIDE-OF-THE-STREET
#85 August 14 2006
Welcome to this week's message from the Tunney-Side-Of-The-Street. You are encouraged to share this with fellow workers, family and friends.

AFTER FURTHER REVIEW - It is always my intention in these Tunney-Sides to invoke a thought, an idea, perhaps even an inspiration that uses the world of sports as a metaphor of how we can make our lives better and more productive in ways to serve others.

As an educator, author, and corporate speaker it is my goal to serve others. That was also my intention for 31 years as an NFL Referee: to serve the game of professional football, its players, coaches, and fans. I may not be on too many fans' Christmas card lists because of a "call" that I made, however, every Sunday (or Monday Night) when I left the playing field (some 500 times), I asked myself, "Self, did you leave the game better today than you found it?"

This was brought home to me the weekend of August 5-6, 2006 as I was privileged to be in attendance at the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2006 induction in Canton, Ohio. Everyone of the six inductees: John Madden, Troy Aikman, Harry Carson, Warren Moon, Rayfield Wright and Sara White (widow of Reggie White) not only mentioned, but emphasized, that their lives in football brought home to them the importance of family, friends, the T*E*A*M and giving back. As you have heard me say or write before, T*E*A*M means Together Everyone Accomplishes More, and as 2005 HOF Steve Young told me, "If you play alone, you'll be alone". Of the 70+ Hall of Famers who attended the 2006 induction ceremony I was privileged to be on the field with about 60 of them. To a man they continue to be grateful and give back to their communities. Indeed, each left the field better than they found it.

Retired players become members of the National Football League Alumni (NFLA), that holds golf tournaments raising money for a program called "Caring for Kids" and for retired players who have financial difficulties (called, "The Dire Need" fund). If you ever get a chance to contribute - as a player, sponsor or friend - to an NFLA charity event, please know you are "giving back" as the players do.

Each of us owes a debt of gratitude to those who "paved-the-way". HOF Rayfield Wright said in his induction speech, he had to take, "the road less traveled"; a road, he said, that was not "paved" but was rocky and rough as he made his way along. However, he is grateful today for having taken it and, indeed, left the road better than he found it.

Will you leave whatever you do better than you found it?

Look for my book
It's the Will, Not the Skill
Principles and philosophies of success


For more information about Jim Tunney, go to www.jimtunney.com

25 Great Officials On 25 Great Officials

25 Great Officials On 25 Great Officials
How do you define "greatness"?
Players and coaches can be stacked up by their playing stats or win-loss records. For officials it’s not that simple. Sure, you could take a look and see how many championship games an official has worked, but how much of a measuring stick is that?
For officials, our greatest impact comes when we earn the respect and admiration of our peers, when it’s clear we’ve had a lasting impact on the industry of officiating through our mentoring, training and the examples we set.
There are a lot of great officials in the world. Most were great locally and never received the national recognition they probably deserved. Some were so great they transcended their chosen sport and are admired throughout the community of officials.
In honor of NASO’s 25th anniversary this year, Referee chose 25 referees and umpires from the past 25 years who we absolutely think fall into the "great" category, and we asked them to choose one other official – any sport, any level – whom they admire and respect, someone each of them would consider a great official, and tell us why.
Retired MLB umpire Doug Harvey on Jim Tunney
One of the great officials in my lifetime is (retired NFL referee) Jim Tunney. He and I worked basketball together in what used to be called the Pac-8 when Johnny Wooden was coaching UCLA in the early ’60s. Jim became one of the greatest football referees the NFL has ever seen, but other than my brother, Nolan, he was the best basketball referee I ever worked with. I copied some of my timing in baseball from Jim; we used that timing when we worked basketball together. He ought to be the first referee in the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the way he represented that league. It’s asinine there are no officials in that hall. Jim meant something to me. We’ve been friends for almost 50 years.
Retired NFL referee Jim Tunney on Jim Tunney Sr.
My father, (the late college football referee) Jim Tunney Sr. officiated from 1929-47. The last game he worked was the Rose Bowl. He had a great style. What I most remember is his attentiveness during a play. He was always on top of things. I used to go to games with him. One time he came to me at halftime and said, "Watch this running back. He’s good." It was Jackie Robinson. He didn’t really encourage me to go into officiating, but he didn’t discourage me. But I moved along more quickly because he was so well respected.

S.M.A.R.T.

TUNNEY-SIDE-OF-THE-STREET
Welcome to this week's message from the Tunney-Side-Of-The-Street. You are encouraged to share this with fellow workers, family and friends.

AFTER FURTHER REVIEW - The depression NFL fans have been experiencing since February has ended as all 32 teams are at work at their training camp sites. Predictions and expectations for becoming Super Bowl XLI Champion have begun with the hope their T*E*A*M will be World Champs. Each NFL team has about 100 players in camp, but will be allowed to carry only 53 on their roster. Hope becomes a big word.

In striving for that goal of world champion, let's replace the word "hope" with the word "expect"? We need to keep hope alive, of course, however it is important that we expect to win. I believe one does that by putting S.M.A.R.T. goals in place. SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. When you establish those kinds of parameters for your goals, expect replaces hope.

Every NFL player expects that he will be on the team roster throughout the 2006 season. Some won't, mostly because they didn't use their "smarts" in the off-season. I'm not referring to those who will be "cut" - nor am I referring to Ben Rothlisberger who left his smarts neatly tucked in his helmet in his garage during his motorcycle outing in downtown Pittsburgh. Ben is in camp and looks ready to play.

I'm talking about those who have been arrested for DUI, resisting arrest for a parking violation, battery, breaking and entering, sexual misconduct, substance abuse and so on. I can attach current NFL players names to these alleged crimes. However, it is not my intention to accuse but only to emphasize the lack of "smarts" involved. How can a professional athlete allow these transgressions to happen? What thinking, or non-thinking, goes into the brain of someone who is making that kind of money and has the privilege of being a professional athlete? We read and see these offenses because the media highlights them instead the many wonderful contributions to society that hundreds of NFL players, past and present, make by giving of their time, energy and money to help others. If only we could get more professional athletes to use their talents to help others we would see less of these senseless crimes. As an example, did you happen to notice that Reggie Bush (USC Heisman Trophy 2005), and First Round Draft choice of the Saints gave a six-figure donation to a needy school in New Orleans? And Reggie has yet to play one NFL down.

Will you use S.M.A.R.T. as an acronym for not only setting your professional goals but also in conducting your life?

Look for my book
It's the Will, Not the Skill
Principles and philosophies of success

For more information about Jim Tunney, go to www.jimtunney.com

Improve Your Skills and Don't Blame Conditions

#83 July 31 2006
Welcome to this week's message from the Tunney-Side-Of-The-Street. You are encouraged to share this with fellow workers, family and friends.

AFTER FURTHER REVIEW - The recent outrage in the state of California requiring Exit Exams for high school graduation raised questions about: justice, fairness, equal opportunity, etc. The 2006 Exit Exam required successful completion of math at the eighth grade level and English proficiency for the eleventh grade level. These standards are for students who have attended school for twelve years! Lawsuits were filed by those representing minority students claiming they were not given adequate education - call it learning - to be successful at that level. Evidently some students were not ready. My question is why was this lack of readiness not discovered as those students moved from grade level to grade level?

Let's look at those same students who want to play on sports teams in schools. If a guy (I'll use male but this applies to females as well) wants to play basketball, but is poor at dribbling or shooting the ball, no one claims this as an injustice, or blames it on his being from a single parent home, or blames it on a racial bias.

Our young basketball player will simply be told to practice more. His "deficiency" will be attributed to poor skills. On the playground where I grew up, a guy - sometimes it was me - may not have been chosen to play, because he was lacking in those skills. When he decided to dedicate himself to learn and improve his skills, he "graduated" - to be on a T*E*A*M.

Learning any skill e.g. dribbling, shooting, catching, throwing, speaking, writing good English, multiplication tables, adding, subtracting, dividing and so on can be learned and improved on by ANYONE willing to put in the time and practice. As a coach, you certainly don't want to field a team of players that was not ready to perform well. Sports is a defining event - practice and perform or you don't play.

The fact is some students/players need more teaching than others, and that's why teachers are there. However, the coach/teacher is not responsible for learning. When we proclaim the problem of underdevelopment as "injustice", we take the responsibility for achievement off the shoulders of the learner. That's the injustice! The responsibility for learning is squarely on the shoulders of the learner.

Will you accept responsibility for your learning to improve your skills and not blame it on conditions?

Look for my book
It's the Will, Not the Skill
Principles and philosophies of success


For more information about Jim Tunney, go to www.jimtunney.com

Move On

#82 July 24 2006
Welcome to this week's message from the Tunney-Side-Of-The-Street. You are encouraged to share this with fellow workers, family and friends.

Just a follow-up on Phil Mickelson, who had an unfortunate finish at the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot on - of all days - Father's Day. Seeing that Phil was self-destructing as he double bogeyed the 18th, his wife Amy, sent their two daughters, Amanda and Sophia back to their hotel room to avoid that disappointment [Note: they have a son Evan as well].

When Phil and Amy arrived at their room, daughter Amanda (age 7) said, "Hi Daddy, did you win?" Phil said, "No, honey I didn't". Amanda said, "I'm sorry", paused, and then said, "Would you like a hotdog?" Wow! Phil just "blew away" the US Open title (to Geoff Ogilvy) and Amanda wanted him to have a hotdog. The younger daughter Sophia said, "Well Daddy, second isn't so bad".

"From the mouths of children", as the saying goes. Looks like Amanda and Sophia were ready to move on, which is what needs to happen when events (tragedies/difficulties) like this occur. I don't mean to minimize the importance of winning such a prestigious event as the US Open, however, life does - and will - go on.

Often in our lives we continue to replay events which we cannot change. Certainly, losing is difficult and we can, and should, learn from them. The game of golf teaches us that THE ONLY important shot is the next one. I've often used the expression, "You're only as good as your next call", referring to calls a referee must make I remember Super Bowl XI Minnesota Vikings vs. Oakland Raiders. Third quarter, Vikings QB Fran Tarkenton drops back to pass, throws a completed pass to Willie Brown, unfortunately, Willie was a DB for the Raiders and returned that interception 75 yards for a touchdown. Oakland won 32-14. As Fran left the field, after that play, he turned to me and said, "I'll be back". I like that.

Fran just lost a Super Bowl game (which was the Vikings 4th Super Bowl loss - (IV, VII, IX and XI)) and yet, was willing to move on - ready to comeback. Phil's positive attitude is not only similar, but also APPEALING. All too often we try to search for answers as to "why" an event went the way it did. Review, analyze, learn and move on. That hot dog does sound like a good idea.

Will you focus your attention and efforts on your next opportunity?

Look for my new book
It's the Will, Not the Skill
Principles and philosophies of success

For more information about Jim Tunney, go to www.jimtunney.com