In
the last few weeks, I think I’ve heard perhaps some of the best known SPEECHES ever
in the history of sports. Lou Gehrig’s “Luckiest Man on Earth” message will
never be topped but I will give props to Indianapolis NFL Head Coach Chuck
Pagano, who’s post-game talk to his Colts’ players last Sunday was picked up by
all national networks and was so moving and genuine. Pagano has been hospitalized
for the past month undergoing chemo treatments for his battle against leukemia!
By now, most of you may be aware of the
“speech” that helped spark the San Francisco Giants to their amazing comeback
series win over Cincinnati in the opening round of the 2012 MLB Playoffs? After
dropping their first two home games in the best-of-five series, Hunter Pence, a
six-year big league veteran and newly acquired (in late July) from
Philadelphia, delivered the surprising pep talk to his Giants’ teammates. Many
players now say that it served as the spark that re-energized, re-focused and
re-booted the mindsets of each – then and throughout the rest of their
post-season run to the title!
After a typical manager’s speak to the players, Pence (out of nowhere) just
stood up in front of Giants’ skipper Bruce Bochy and with such incredible
emotion and passion, started yelling these words out to his teammates:
"Get
"In here, everyone get in here . . . look into each other’s eyes . . . now! Look
into each other’s eyes! I want one more day with you! This is the most fun and
the best team I have ever been on and no matter what happens, we must not give
in. We owe it to each other, to play for each other. I need one more day with
you guys! I need to see what [Ryan] Theriot will wear tomorrow. I want to play
defense behind [Ryan] Vogelsong because he's never been to the
playoffs . . .
play for each other not yourself!”
When asked about the speech following the World Series Championship, Vogelsong said: “It really touched home. It wasn’t what Hunter said, it was the intensity of it. The truth of it.”
Fellas, keep in mind that spoken words can
serve as motivation and be so uplifting when said at the right moment. Doesn’t
matter by whom as you now see. You don’t have to be the leadoff man in the
lineup or the top hitter. However, words can demoralize a team and even a fan
base just as easy based on your body language and timing of such statement
especially when everything is being shown and replayed millions of times on
various television and social media sites all over. NFL players like Cam
Newton, Michael Vick and Mark Sanchez – speaking in recent weeks - are perfect
examples of interviewing styles not to imitate when a microphone is put before
you.
Always remember that it’s WE when speaking
vs. SELF. Take time after a game to allow the raw emotion you are feeling to
settle down somewhat before speaking or for what you are about to author to the
Twitter/Facebook world!
All the best my friend!
Jim Loria
---------------------------------------------------------------
“The words ‘I Am’ … are potent words; be careful what you hitch them to. The thing you’re claiming has a way of reaching back and claiming you” – stated by A.L. Kitselman, Author
---------------------------------------------------------------
“The strength of the team is each individual member; the strength of each member is the team” – stated by NBA Hall of Fame Coach Phil Jackson
---------------------------------------------------------------
"A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent" – stated by Mike Jones
---------------------------------------------------------------
A GREAT POEM THAT PLAY’S INTO TODAY’S MESSAGE ….
Before you speak, listen.
Before you
write, think.
Before you spend, earn.
Before you invest, investigate.
Before you criticize, wait.
Before you quit, try.
Before you retire,
save.
Before you die, give.
By: William Arthur Ward
###
Jim Loria
E-Mail: loria@sfstampede.com
No comments:
Post a Comment