WEEKLY MOTIVATIONAL PIECE!

Greetings!

You spend your entire teen years of life thinking about the day you will lace on spikes and play in the Big Leagues! You all know that this “opportunity” is not a given. You have to earn your ticket to the next level. Usually it is by the body of work you leave behind on the field. Nowadays, it is the combination of talent and character.

Think of this: You, the player, openly admit you screwed up your senior college football season with behavior issues. Your coach even sits you down for your final senior game and it took place at the Cotton Bowl?  Yes, a Bowl Game! Yet, you rehabbed your image somewhat afterwards. It helped that you had a strong game performance at the East-West Shrine All-Star Game. Your performance gave you hope that you can indeed play at the pro level?

You then dedicated every waking second of your life in the last two months to get into such superior physical condition. Your body, as evidenced in pictures posted in the media, was a cut above the rest and could win you some votes in any of the national bodybuilding contests.  Since his pro workout regimen began, this player told anyone who was nearby with a microphone that he was going to dominate the NFL Combine at Indianapolis unlike any other.  And guess what … HE DID!

At the NFL Combine, this player set a new record with a superlative 43-inch vertical leap! It becomes the highest ever jump recorded by a running back since the Combine program began 28 years ago. He also finished first or second in three other critical agility drills that the pro scouts use to test every player.

Just as this player drove up the thermostat and had NFL personnel members buzzing, he mysteriously stuns everyone by failing to SHOW UP for some of his NFL Team Interviews. With all of this sweat equity put into refining his body combined with a questionable portfolio from his college playing days, now is the time that this player decides to screw up? WOW! Imagine: You have a job interview to meet up with an employer that could possibly pay you Millions of Dollars and fulfill that childhood ambition of yours! And you slept in as reports state? What excuse do you tell your future employer about your unexplained absence?

Meet Christine Michael from Texas A&M. Today, when he officially woke up, he did so to the jarring national headlines (below) read by every NFL team executive that makes a decision on your future and the thousands of media outlets around the country:

CHRISTINE MICHAEL WOWS ON THE FIELD, KNUCKLEHEAD OFF IT AT THE NFL COMBINE!

The biggest week of one’s life. A week-long “audition” before every NFL team’s key talent evaluators, decision-making general managers, coaches and this person cannot keep an appointment or two in order to cash in on his dreams in just another month?

Based on his performance at the Combine, some scouts were thinking Michael’s might have worked himself up into the 2nd Round. Now, by sleeping on the job, it just might cost the player a salary that maybe would have required TWO COMMAS to fill out on an NFL contract to one that just might only need a SINGLE COMMA next to his name when his future employer assesses and negotiates out his true net worth?

My best always!

Jim Loria
New E-Mail: jimloria0309@gmail.com

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WORDS ON A SIGN DISPLAYED IN THE COLORADO ROCKIES TRAINING COMPLEX:  "Perseverance, Leadership, Patience, Responsibility, Focus, Persistence, Character, Integrity, Team, Selflessness, Trust, Service, Accountability"

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“The secret to changing your life is in your intentions. Wishing, hoping and goal setting cannot accomplish change without intention. What is needed is a shift from the inert energy of wanting to the active energy of doing and intention” – stated by Wayne Dyer, best-selling Author and Motivational Speaker

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ESPN’S HERM EDWARDS ON RULES FOR PLAYERS WHEN HE COACHED IN THE NFL: “I had three rules and nothing more. 1) Be on Time! 2) Be on Time! 3) Be on Time! Nothing else matters. Show your teammates that you care. Invest your time and effort in your career NOW because this period of time can be short. There are No guarantees”

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“It is your choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities” – stated by J.K. Rowling, British Novelist and best known as the author of the Harry Potter fantasy series

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A POEM TITLED “WATCH”: “Watch your thoughts, they become Words … Watch your words, they become Actions ... Watch your actions, they become Habits ... Watch your habits, they become your Character ... Watch your character, it becomes your Destiny” – stated by Unknown Author

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WEEKLY MOTIVATIONAL PIECE!

"You make up your mind, you choose the chance you take … You ride to where the highway ends, and the desert breaks …Out on to an open road, you ride until the day …You learn to sleep at night, with the price you pay” – Lyrics from the song “PRICE YOU PAY” by Bruce Springsteen

Greetings!

Whether it is in the industry of pro sports or an everyday job, most people are conditioned to take the most money they can secure without really considering all of the elements. Sometimes that formula can make you the most miserable person on earth. Before you ink a contract, do consider, as an example, how much a State can tax you to play games in their cities (read up on California and Pennsylvania).

You should always consider your personal strengths and how they will fit into the system of the new organization you plan to join? How about the coach or manager? Do you know much about this person’s personality? Is the human relationship  important for you to be able to relate to this individual on a daily basis or does that not matter? Are you okay with a strict disciplinarian and someone that never smiles? Or a smart, teaching type of a coach who is a motivational type of boss and seems to care about you as a person away from the field?

How about understanding what the city’s fan base expectation is with their players? Some places demand your attention 24/7 – same with the media (i.e. Boston and New York come to mind). What about the stadium’s dimensions? Does your game translate better or worse at the new home you desire to play for? What about your teammates? Do you have a bond with many on your current team? Who knows how your chemistry will play out when you join the new clubhouse? Even time zone can play havoc on your psyche. I, for one, have lived on the East & West Coasts and now the Midwest. My lifestyle prefers the Central Time Zone best … and there is a difference! So keep that in mind!

When Peyton Manning became a free agent prior to the 2012 NFL season and considered his options for teams and cities, he consulted with his former Indianapolis Colts’ coach Tony Dungy for advice. Dungy told Peyton only one thing: “When you are making an important life decision, make sure it’s without regard to money, title or position. Make sure it’s about who you’re going to be working with and how much you’ll enjoy being there!”

Now take the case of new Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Carl Crawford.  During his previous life in Tampa, Crawford was a four-time All-Star during his nine seasons with the Rays. He was considered a superb fielder who could hit for average and run the bases as well as any player in the game. He led the majors in steals four times and hit over .300 five times. He earned a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award during his final season with Tampa in 2010.

That set up Crawford for a huge payday on the free-agent market as his contract expired. He decided to sign with Boston in 2011 for one of the richest contracts ever at $142 Million over seven years.  What happened?  Crawford washed away in a Red Sox uniform, setting career lows with a .255 average and 18 stolen bases in 2011. Then he was limited to 31 games in 2012 due to injuries.

"There definitely was a dark cloud over me when I was in Boston," Crawford now says. "I knew with the struggles I was having it would never get better for me. I just didn't see a light at the end of the tunnel. It puts you in kind of a depression stage. You just don't see a way out."

Again, as we stated above, when weighing in on pros and cons, it has become apparent that some players that can thrive playing under intense fan and media pressure. Some cannot. Crawford went into the situation thinking he could handle it, but it became unbearable the more he struggled. “It was just everything," he said. "Me not playing well. Me being in an unfamiliar area in an environment that was toxic. Just all those things combined. You start to say, 'Is this ever going to end?'"

Asked if he regretted signing with the Red Sox, Crawford replied, "A lot of times I did. You hear a lot of talk about how I just wanted money. At some point, you just wondered if you made the right decision." Yet he did admit that he "got caught up in chasing that big contract" when the Red Sox wrote the big check two years ago.

I remember reading a story the other day and a quote really stuck home with me. It said: “I would rather be happy with less than miserable with much?” Just be sure, fellas, when the day comes for you to choose a school, a team, or become a free agent that you consider every single option. You are the performer but don’t discount all of the human elements about You when making these life-altering decisions. Be Happy! If so, you’ll be productive. You’ll always be rewarded! That’s what my first Big League Boss always preached to me! So True!!

CHEERS MY FRIEND!

Jim Loria

New E-Mail: jimloria0309@gmail.com

-------------------------------------------------------

“The world offers a lot, but even having them all won’t ensure our contentment. What we value, defines our happiness. What we keep, spells our purpose. What we do, becomes our commitment, but in the end, our real treasures are what our hearts can hold” – stated by Unknown Author

-------------------------------------------------------

“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours – it is an amazing journey – and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins” – stated by Bob Moawad, Author

-------------------------------------------------------

“When nobody believes in you, believe in yourself. When nobody acknowledges your value, value yourself.  Instead of awaiting validation from others, listen to your Inner Guidance. Stand tall, oozing enough self-confidence to push yourself through seemingly insurmountable obstacles” – stated by Nea Justice, Life Coach

-------------------------------------------------------

“I can give you a six-word formula for success: Think things through, then follow through” – stated by Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker, Medal of Honor recipient, race car driver and a pioneer in air transportation

-------------------------------------------------------

You must constantly ask yourself these questions: Who am I around? What are they doing to me? Where do they have me going? What do they have me thinking? And most important, what do they have me becoming? Then ask yourself the big question: Is that okay?” – stated by Jim Rohn, Author and Motivational Speaker

###

WEEKLY MOTIVATIONAL PIECE!

“You make up your mind, you choose the chance you take … You ride to where the highway ends, and the desert breaks …Out on to an open road, you ride until the day …You learn to sleep at night, with the price you pay” – Lyrics from the song “PRICE YOU PAY” by Bruce Springsteen

Greetings!

Whether it is in the industry of pro sports or an everyday job, most people are conditioned to take the most money they can secure without really considering all of the elements. Sometimes that formula can make you the most miserable person on earth. Before you ink a contract, do consider, as an example, how much a State can tax you to play games in their cities (read up on California and Pennsylvania).

 

You should always consider your personal strengths and how they will fit into the system of the new organization you plan to join? How about the coach or manager? Do you know much about this person’s personality? Is the human relationship  important for you to be able to relate to this individual on a daily basis or does that not matter? Are you okay with a strict disciplinarian and someone that never smiles? Or a smart, teaching type of a coach who is a motivational type of boss and seems to care about you as a person away from the field?

How about understanding what the city’s fan base expectation is with their players? Some places demand your attention 24/7 – same with the media (i.e. Boston and New York come to mind). What about the stadium’s dimensions? Does your game translate better or worse at the new home you desire to play for? What about your teammates? Do you have a bond with many on your current team? Who knows how your chemistry will play out when you join the new clubhouse? Even time zone can play havoc on your psyche. I, for one, have lived on the East & West Coasts and now the Midwest. My lifestyle prefers the Central Time Zone best … and there is a difference! So keep that in mind!

When Peyton Manning became a free agent prior to the 2012 NFL season and considered his options for teams and cities, he consulted with his former Indianapolis Colts’ coach Tony Dungy for advice. Dungy told Peyton only one thing: “When you are making an important life decision, make sure it’s without regard to money, title or position. Make sure it’s about who you’re going to be working with and how much you’ll enjoy being there!”

Now take the case of new Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Carl Crawford.  During his previous life in Tampa, Crawford was a four-time All-Star during his nine seasons with the Rays. He was considered a superb fielder who could hit for average and run the bases as well as any player in the game. He led the majors in steals four times and hit over .300 five times. He earned a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award during his final season with Tampa in 2010.

That set up Crawford for a huge payday on the free-agent market as his contract expired. He decided to sign with Boston in 2011 for one of the richest contracts ever at $142 Million over seven years.  What happened?  Crawford washed away in a Red Sox uniform, setting career lows with a .255 average and 18 stolen bases in 2011. Then he was limited to 31 games in 2012 due to injuries.

"There definitely was a dark cloud over me when I was in Boston," Crawford now says. "I knew with the struggles I was having it would never get better for me. I just didn't see a light at the end of the tunnel. It puts you in kind of a depression stage. You just don't see a way out."

Again, as we stated above, when weighing in on pros and cons, it has become apparent that some players that can thrive playing under intense fan and media pressure. Some cannot. Crawford went into the situation thinking he could handle it, but it became unbearable the more he struggled. “It was just everything," he said. "Me not playing well. Me being in an unfamiliar area in an environment that was toxic. Just all those things combined. You start to say, 'Is this ever going to end?'"

Asked if he regretted signing with the Red Sox, Crawford replied, "A lot of times I did. You hear a lot of talk about how I just wanted money. At some point, you just wondered if you made the right decision." Yet he did admit that he "got caught up in chasing that big contract" when the Red Sox wrote the big check two years ago.

I remember reading a story the other day and a quote really stuck home with me. It said: “I would rather be happy with less than miserable with much?” Just be sure, fellas, when the day comes for you to choose a school, a team, or become a free agent that you consider every single option. You are the performer but don’t discount all of the human elements about You when making these life-altering decisions. Be Happy! If so, you’ll be productive. You’ll always be rewarded! That’s what my first Big League Boss always preached to me! So True!!

CHEERS MY FRIEND!

Jim Loria

New E-Mail: jimloria0309@gmail.com

-------------------------------------------------------

“The world offers a lot, but even having them all won’t ensure our contentment. What we value, defines our happiness. What we keep, spells our purpose. What we do, becomes our commitment, but in the end, our real treasures are what our hearts can hold” – stated by Unknown Author

-------------------------------------------------------

“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours – it is an amazing journey – and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins” – stated by Bob Moawad, Author

-------------------------------------------------------

“When nobody believes in you, believe in yourself. When nobody acknowledges your value, value yourself.  Instead of awaiting validation from others, listen to your Inner Guidance. Stand tall, oozing enough self-confidence to push yourself through seemingly insurmountable obstacles” – stated by Nea Justice, Life Coach

-------------------------------------------------------

“I can give you a six-word formula for success: Think things through, then follow through” – stated by Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker, Medal of Honor recipient, race car driver and a pioneer in air transportation

-------------------------------------------------------

You must constantly ask yourself these questions: Who am I around? What are they doing to me? Where do they have me going? What do they have me thinking? And most important, what do they have me becoming? Then ask yourself the big question: Is that okay?” – stated by Jim Rohn, Author and Motivational Speaker

###

WEEKLY MOTIVATIONAL PIECE!

“You make up your mind, you choose the chance you take … You ride to where the highway ends, and the desert breaks …Out on to an open road, you ride until the day …You learn to sleep at night, with the price you pay” – Lyrics from the song “PRICE YOU PAY” by Bruce Springsteen

Greetings!

Whether it is in the industry of pro sports or an everyday job, most people are conditioned to take the most money they can secure without really considering all of the elements. Sometimes that formula can make you the most miserable person on earth. Before you ink a contract, do consider, as an example, how much a State can tax you to play games in their cities (read up on California and Pennsylvania).

You should always consider your personal strengths and how they will fit into the system of the new organization you plan to join? How about the coach or manager? Do you know much about this person’s personality? Is the human relationship  important for you to be able to relate to this individual on a daily basis or does that not matter? Are you okay with a strict disciplinarian and someone that never smiles? Or a smart, teaching type of a coach who is a motivational type of boss and seems to care about you as a person away from the field?

How about understanding what the city’s fan base expectation is with their players? Some places demand your attention 24/7 – same with the media (i.e. Boston and New York come to mind). What about the stadium’s dimensions? Does your game translate better or worse at the new home you desire to play for? What about your teammates? Do you have a bond with many on your current team? Who knows how your chemistry will play out when you join the new clubhouse? Even time zone can play havoc on your psyche. I, for one, have lived on the East & West Coasts and now the Midwest. My lifestyle prefers the Central Time Zone best … and there is a difference! So keep that in mind!

When Peyton Manning became a free agent prior to the 2012 NFL season and considered his options for teams and cities, he consulted with his former Indianapolis Colts’ coach Tony Dungy for advice. Dungy told Peyton only one thing: “When you are making an important life decision, make sure it’s without regard to money, title or position. Make sure it’s about who you’re going to be working with and how much you’ll enjoy being there!”

Now take the case of new Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Carl Crawford.  During his previous life in Tampa, Crawford was a four-time All-Star during his nine seasons with the Rays. He was considered a superb fielder who could hit for average and run the bases as well as any player in the game. He led the majors in steals four times and hit over .300 five times. He earned a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award during his final season with Tampa in 2010.

That set up Crawford for a huge payday on the free-agent market as his contract expired. He decided to sign with Boston in 2011 for one of the richest contracts ever at $142 Million over seven years.  What happened?  Crawford washed away in a Red Sox uniform, setting career lows with a .255 average and 18 stolen bases in 2011. Then he was limited to 31 games in 2012 due to injuries.

"There definitely was a dark cloud over me when I was in Boston," Crawford now says. "I knew with the struggles I was having it would never get better for me. I just didn't see a light at the end of the tunnel. It puts you in kind of a depression stage. You just don't see a way out."

Again, as we stated above, when weighing in on pros and cons, it has become apparent that some players that can thrive playing under intense fan and media pressure. Some cannot. Crawford went into the situation thinking he could handle it, but it became unbearable the more he struggled. “It was just everything," he said. "Me not playing well. Me being in an unfamiliar area in an environment that was toxic. Just all those things combined. You start to say, 'Is this ever going to end?'"

Asked if he regretted signing with the Red Sox, Crawford replied, "A lot of times I did. You hear a lot of talk about how I just wanted money. At some point, you just wondered if you made the right decision." Yet he did admit that he "got caught up in chasing that big contract" when the Red Sox wrote the big check two years ago.

I remember reading a story the other day and a quote really stuck home with me. It said: “I would rather be happy with less than miserable with much?” Just be sure, fellas, when the day comes for you to choose a school, a team, or become a free agent that you consider every single option. You are the performer but don’t discount all of the human elements about You when making these life-altering decisions. Be Happy! If so, you’ll be productive. You’ll always be rewarded! That’s what my first Big League Boss always preached to me! So True!!

CHEERS MY FRIEND!

Jim Loria

New E-Mail: jimloria0309@gmail.com

-------------------------------------------------------

“The world offers a lot, but even having them all won’t ensure our contentment. What we value, defines our happiness. What we keep, spells our purpose. What we do, becomes our commitment, but in the end, our real treasures are what our hearts can hold” – stated by Unknown Author

-------------------------------------------------------

“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours – it is an amazing journey – and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins” – stated by Bob Moawad, Author

-------------------------------------------------------

“When nobody believes in you, believe in yourself. When nobody acknowledges your value, value yourself.  Instead of awaiting validation from others, listen to your Inner Guidance. Stand tall, oozing enough self-confidence to push yourself through seemingly insurmountable obstacles” – stated by Nea Justice, Life Coach

-------------------------------------------------------

“I can give you a six-word formula for success: Think things through, then follow through” – stated by Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker, Medal of Honor recipient, race car driver and a pioneer in air transportation

-------------------------------------------------------

You must constantly ask yourself these questions: Who am I around? What are they doing to me? Where do they have me going? What do they have me thinking? And most important, what do they have me becoming? Then ask yourself the big question: Is that okay?” – stated by Jim Rohn, Author and Motivational Speaker

###

WEEKLY MOTIVATIONAL PIECE!

THE POWER TO BELIEVE!

In honor of Valentine’s week, I wanted to share a very personal story with you that has a special motivational message.  This is a story on how I proposed to my wife. Know that before that all-important day, we did not date. We lived at least a thousand miles away from each other. I did not see her picture until many months had passed by after our initial correspondence. This week we will be celebrating our union of togetherness on Valentine’s Day! A true life story!

When I was 26-years old, then my second year working in the National Hockey League with the Washington Capitals, a young lady (Wendy) from Minneapolis, MN, wrote a letter to our PR Department in August, 1981. She was seeking advice on how to get into sports journalism. I answered her letter and offered up feedback. It was a handwritten note. That is how we were first introduced.

Wendy was 21 and a senior in college.  Know that back in the early 1980’s, there were no computers and cell phones so you had to “pay” for communicating (long distance phones and postage stamps). After a month passed by from receiving that first letter, we had our first initial phone call that lasted for several hours. From there, we both exchanged hand written letters and greeting cards pretty much every single day until we finally met in person on Feb. 13^th.  As we got to know more about one another, I was convinced that Wendy was that special someone I was destined to meet and for us to spend our lives together.

Within a month of our meeting for the first time, I had asked Wendy that we should go outside on a particular night, look up into the stars and make a “Wish” at the exact same time. We would then open each other’s wishes when we met.  As we neared our meeting date, I told my office colleagues and Capitals’ hockey players that I was going to ask Wendy to be my wife!  It was grief central from the staff members; however, many of the players – especially the Quebec, Canada French guys - became my personal “love advisor” and encouraged me to follow my heart all the way!!

I called Wendy’s Mom to get her ring size (which stunned her since we never met nor did the families). I went out and purchased her engagement ring without ever having met. THIS IS THE PART OF “BELIEVING IN ONE’S SELF” THAT I HAVE TRIED TO TEACH YOU THROUGH MY FACEBOOK MESSAGES! THE POWER TO BELIEVE TRIGGERS EVERYTHING IN YOUR BEING! THE WAY YOU THINK. THE WAY YOU PERFORM ON THE FIELD.  IT INFLUENCES YOUR LIFE!  I knew every little detail about this girl. I didn’t need to go through a series of dates to confirm my feelings. Every value I ever believed in, Wendy was an exact match! 

I met and picked up Wendy at the DC National Airport on Feb. 13, 1982. It was nervous feelings for that first moment of contact. But a hug and kiss quickly confirmed that SHE WAS IT! Never a doubt! Later that night, as the clock struck midnight and the calendar officially became Valentine’s Day, I proposed to Wendy. I got down on my knee and asked her to open up my “Wish”.  It simply read: WILL YOU MARRY ME!  Before she responded, Wendy then asked me to open up her “Wish”.  It also read the same four words: WILL YOU MARRY ME!  

In many people’s eyes, I took the biggest risk of my life. I chose to marry someone and went against all odds. My belief and commitment never wavered! Like an athlete, being a team (as Wendy and I are) takes work. It’s give and take. It’s supporting one another. Being loyal. TRUST! Just like the ingredients you need to be a great teammate!

All the best! Guys TAKE CARE OF YOUR LOVED ONE tomorrow OK!

Jim Loria

E-Mail: jimloria0309@gmail.com

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"If a window of opportunity appears, don't pull down the shade!" – stated by Tom Peters, Business Management Author

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"Strength is a matter of a made up mind!" – stated by John Beecher, American Poet

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"It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from. The ability to triumph begins with YOU. Always!" – stated by Oprah Winfrey

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 “Everything you are, and everything you have, started as a thought in your mind. Your body is merely there to manifest physically that which the mind tells it to do. Everything starts with you telling the mind what you desire" – stated by Thomas D. Willhite

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"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens" – stated by Lewis L. Dunnington, Author

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WEEKLY MOTIVATIONAL PIECE!

Greetings!

If I were to be in your shoes and thinking everyday where will my life lead me in the next few years, I would have the most positive frame of mind that my Dreams can come true! In my opinion, the 2012 calendar year just might have been the most fascinating period of sports development that I’ve ever witnessed!

It was a year that saw a (supposed) undersized and unheralded quarterback walk into a training camp and not only take over the keys to an NFL franchise from his very first snap but became this calm, cool, confident leader and All Pro performer as a rookie (Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks).

A year for an unknown athlete that soon inherited a trademarked name heard around the sports nation and won an historical college football award as a freshman that no other before him ever did (Johnny Manziel became “Johnny Football” and “Johnny Heisman” at Texas A&M)

A year that a Small School Athlete can take center stage and lead his team to a Super Bowl Championship (Joe Flacco, University of Delaware).

A year for the “Opportunist” that when given an opportunity, a career can be born (Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers).

A year of Youth that never before seen in Major League Baseball where 19 and 20-year-olds are now starting in the Big Leagues and flourishing (Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Manny Machado) and others are knocking on the door.

A year that shows you never to get down or frustrated by injuries. With modern medicine, rehab techniques and dedication, you can recover and DOMINATE your sport again (Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson).

A year that shows you never CHEAT EVEN ONE INCH OR ONE YARD with your performance on the field and in the training room (Adrian Peterson fell short by NINE YARDS of breaking the all-time NFL single-season rushing record).

And a year of the Social Media impact on athletes everywhere. You can  crush your reputation and ruin your dreams and earning capacity in one single heartbeat for foolish behavior off the field because of the millions of bloggers that will watch your every footstep 24/7/365 (Manti Te’o and Tyrann Mathieu as examples).

Fellas – Believe in You always! As we continue to state, it doesn’t matter where you are drafted. What school you may attend or where you rank on the team’s depth chart, it’s how you perform when the bell rings! Keep your Mindset free of clutter and distractions. GO CAPTURE YOUR DREAMS … Destiny awaits you now!

All the best my friend!

Jim

My New E-Mail: jimloria0309@gmail.com

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ON JOE FLACCO’S CALM DISPOSITION ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, HIS DAD STEVE SAYS: “I like to tell people, look, man, we raised him to be a CEO, not a carnival act. You’re a quarterback, why would you want anybody ever see you sweat? And when you throw a touchdown pass, act like you’ve done it before.”

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“Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it” – stated by Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1800s American Essayist, Lecturer and Poet

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“Don’t be afraid of your fears. They’re not there to scare you. They’re there to let you know that something is worth it” – stated by C. JoyBell C., Czech Republic Poet,  Novelist, Philosopher and Author during the mid-1900s

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“You have no choices about how you lose, but you do have a choice about how you come back and prepare to win again” – stated by Pat Riley, 4x championship coach with the Los Angeles Lakers and President of the defending champion Miami Heat

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ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS QUOTE AS YOU DEVELOP YOUR PROFILE … “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal” – stated by Albert Pike, American Attorney, 1800s

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Jim Loria

E-Mail: loria@sfstampede.com

WEEKLY MOTIVATIONAL PIECE!

“There’s no Elevator to Success! You have to take the Stairs!” – Unnamed Author

Greetings! With all eyes on the Super Bowl this weekend, I wanted to bring to light the career transformation of San Francisco 49ers all-pro tight end Vernon Davis.  Someone I am watching closely.

He was a Top Six pick back in the 2006 NFL Draft. A supreme talent! He had offensive skills that knew of no boundaries. He was featured in much of the 49ers offensive play calling although this is where the story begins as team victories and team success were not achieved at all during his first five seasons. His reputation was that of a player better known for scuffling with his own teammates and for displaying a diva-like, ‘me-first’ attitude.

Today he is a changed player even though he still is a youthful 27 years of age (and into his prime years). Yet, despite the 49ers amazing turnaround under coach Jim Harbaugh (who preaches a team-first game), Davis has seen his offensive role change in dramatic fashion just as victories began to pile up. As an example, after averaging 67 catches per season over the previous three years, Davis caught just 41 passes in 2012. The fans and media were waiting for a verbal explosion from the tight end. “Yes, I probably would have been in the media making a scene, going to the coach and just being a cancer to the team if this had happened back in my earlier days," he said.

Even with lower statistical numbers, Davis is considered a much better all-round player now. He’s seen as a more valuable teammate for his ability to block on running plays, as a pass protector to give his quarterback valued seconds to pick out a receiver, and of course, he’s still a powerful locomotive out in the open field when given the football. It was Davis’ 100-plus catching yards and a TD pass he snared that helped spark the Niners to their amazing come-from-behind win against Atlanta a week ago that advanced the team to New Orleans and an opportunity at winning the Super Bowl!  As a matter of fact, Davis has gone over 100 receiving yards with at least one touchdown in three of the last four San Francisco playoff games under Harbaugh.

"I just had to realize that the team was bigger than me," Davis now says. "It wasn't just about me. This is not a one-man game. And as far as making me realize those things, we had (former)  Coach (Mike) Singletary here to point 'em out to me, and he stayed on me – man, he was always on me. He was like, ‘Vernon, you won't take off, you won't succeed until you put the team first.' I grew. I'm very thankful for that. I thank God for that.”

When the former Chicago Bears’ legend and Hall of Fame middle linebacker was hired to coach the 49ers in 2008, he singled out Davis for his selfishness, and publicly berated and stripped the player of his uniform right in front of the entire sports nation during his very first game on the San Francisco sidelines. 

Then came the infamous post-game SPEECH with each word directed back at Davis when Singletary said: “I will not tolerate players who think it’s about them when it’s about the team. Cannot win with them, cannot coach with them, can’t do it. I would rather play with ten people and just get penalized all the way until we gotta do something else rather than play with 11 when right now that person is not sold out to be a part of this team.”

When reflecting back on those early days of his career, Davis once again says: “I realized that I needed to do whatever I could to help this team, whether it’s blocking, pass protection, whatever it is.  I’m going to make sure I’m there.”  It wouldn’t surprise me that Vernon Davis becomes the X-factor in this weekend’s Super Bowl and that he takes home the MVP Trophy! I will be watching to see!

Fellas, in sports, in the workplace, in marriage and in life, success will always come to the individual’s that realize the word ME cannot exist on its own. This simple two letter word can make your whole existence much more meaningful when you discover that by turning the LETTER “M” upside down, it will read “WE!”

All the best!

Jim Loria

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“Don't go through life, grow through life” – stated by Eric Butterworth, New York City Minister

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“In every adversity there is a seed of equivalent benefit” – stated by Pat Riley, President of the NBA’s Miami Heat

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“Success on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility… in the final analysis, the one quality that all successful people have… is the ability to take on responsibility” – stated by Michael Korda, Writer and Novelist

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“There is a lesson in almost everything that you do, and getting the lesson is how you move forward” – stated by Oprah Winfrey

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“Think of a Team as a Train and its star player as the locomotive. There is much more to a train than just that engine. If any part of a train fails, if just one nut or bolt gives away, the whole chain of cars can derail” – stated by John Wooden, legendary college basketball coach

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“If a man has a talent and cannot use it, he has failed. If he has a talent and uses only half of it, he has partly failed. If he has a talent and learns somehow to use the whole of it, he has gloriously succeeded, and won a satisfaction and a triumph few men ever know” – stated by Thomas Wolfe, Novelist

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“The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism. The tests of life are not meant to break you, but to make you” – stated by Norman Vincent Peale, Minister and Author (‘The Power of Positive Thinking’)

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Jim Loria
E-Mail: loria@sfstampede.com

WEEKLY MOTIVATIONAL PIECE!

“In a crisis, don't hide behind anything or anybody. They are going to find you anyway” – stated  by Bear Bryant, the legendary Alabama college football coach

Greetings!

If there ever was an example on why you want to keep your off-field activities in check, look no further than the saga of Manti Te’o. I’ve been watching this whole bizarre episode unravel (with the ‘imaginary girlfriend’) and waiting to see how the NFL will handle his case in the coming months as he is draft eligible. He was a player so revered for his devotion to the Notre Dame community and for inspiring his teammates to a regular season unbeaten record and a first place finish in the BCS Polls.

 

In the last two weeks, the Te’o story took on layers and extra layers of tabloid gossip. Combined with Lance Armstrong’s guilt admissions from the Oprah Winfrey sit down interview, Te’o actually kept the NFL juggernaut off the front pages and sports talk radio for pretty much an entire week leading up to their conference championship games!

 

Te’o became a headliner for all the wrong reasons. His private life became a national conversation! The social media site DEADSPIN first broke the story and in just a matter of minutes, over 2.1 MILLION VISITORS dialed into their computers to read the story! Only Brett Favre’s scandal with the New York Jets a few years ago drew a higher number!

During the course of last week, Te’o became the “joke” on all night time comedy shows! David Letterman, as an example, featured a “TOP 10 SIGNS THAT YOU HAVE AN IMAGINARY GIRLFRIEND” that drew a lot of laughs and a million more eyeballs through television and You Tube audiences.  Jimmy Kimmel spent one of his monologue’s chatting up Te’o and said: “Some people play Fantasy Football … Manti plays Fantasy People!”  Jay Leno of the Tonight Show poked fun at Te’o and developed a funny skit that retraced the entire saga from start-to-finish.

Before the Alabama championship game, there were some NFL lists that had Te’o placed near the top of the draft.  My hunch is that Te’o will free-fall somewhat towards the bottom of the first round – which will cost him millions in football salary.  Same for his off-field portfolio if he would have remained stain free? It was expected that Te’o would have been in such high demand for Corporate America and become one of the most sought after professional athlete endorsers  … and now he may never be able to escape the embarrassing hailstorm that rained down on him.

In my era growing up, professional athletes like Stan Musial were left alone. You only heard of their troubles through a newspaper article that took a day later to read up on the problem.  Today, media and the general public have access to your personal life 24/7/365. Just be careful of the company you keep, the choices you make and more so to protect your career earnings potential!

My best!

Jim Loria

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ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS QUOTE AS YOU DEVELOP YOUR PROFILE … “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal” – stated by Albert Pike

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“The most important quality I look for in a player is accountability. You’ve got to be accountable for who you are” – stated by Lenny Wilkins, Hall of Fame NBA Basketball Coach

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“What to do with a mistake: Recognize it, Admit it, Learn from it; Forget it” – stated by Dean Smith, the legendary basketball coach at the University of North Carolina

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BEFORE YOU …

Before you speak, listen.

Before you write, think.
Before you spend, earn.
Before you invest, investigate.
Before you criticize, wait.
Before you pray, forgive.
Before you quit, try.
Before you retire, save.
Before you die, give.

By: William Arthur Ward

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"Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny" - stated by Frank Outlaw

 

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Jim Loria
E-Mail: loria@sfstampede.com