A PRIVILEGE

I was listening to former Chicago Bears head football coach Mike Ditka this morning on a talk show and he was explaining that it is a “privilege” to play in the NFL.

Too many athletes fail to realize this; this goes for all sports.

As an athlete,  you are the chosen few among many to represent your team.  If you are in high school, you are representing your school, the community and the former athletes. You are also placed in a position to possibly get a college scholarship.   In college, if you are lucky enough to be on scholarship, you are getting your education paid for.  You are representing your institution and thousands of fans, students and alumni.  And as a professional, well you are trying to make a living.  Putting food on the table and paying bills.  It’s your livelihood.

Whether it’s getting up at 6:00 AM with your teammates to lift weights or maybe it’s getting in your sprints, taking extra shots at night, studying all night for that exam or working harder during workouts.  Just remember, it’s a privilege to be a member of a team, not a right.

The term ‘Program Player’ refers to athletes who put the team first.  They don’t worry about scoring, getting their names in the newspapers or doing post-game interviews.  All they care about is how they can help their team be successful.  Kyle Witucky from Wooster College is a player everyone can learn something from as the zanesville times recorder checks in with the story of a player every coach would love to have on their roster.

“And he has so many personal characteristics besides being a good basketball player,” Moore explained. “All that stems from his family and his parents, who are great people. When you combine a great upbringing like that and to play for a coach like Scott Aronhalt, that prepares a guy. That’s why he has started every game for us.”

PLAY THE RIGHT WAY!