Player Leadership

    The dictionary defines a leader quite simply as some one who leads. A leader is said to have as few as one grand trait to several traits that define his or her leading ability. We as coaches look long and hard at our team from the time the student steps into the weight room until the hum of the first Friday night light flickers on at the stadium. We look at the intangibles on and off the field. Intangibles like grades and politeness in the hallways to forty times and bench reps as well as who was the last one to show up to practice and who was the last one to leave the film room. Its human nature, we are all either leaders or followers. Some of us are leaders and we don't even know it yet. Not to mention some of us think we are leaders and we are far from it.

    Leadership shows itself in a very unusual way sometimes. Charles Follis, who is believed to be the first black man to ever play professional football, played from 1902-1906 for the Shelby Blues and who was a two sport athlete, did not see any pay at all until 1904. To stick with an organization who does not pay, even for the "love" of the game shows loyalty, respect of people and of the game, honor, and selflessness, all of which are substantial traits of leadership.

    When the NFL was at a stand still with a lock out in 2011, players all over the league including Drew Brees were conducting OTA's and practices the best they could without the direction of a coaching staff. The players who put these practices together are without a doubt leadership material.

    Its also these same traits that can make a great leader fall flat on his face in front of the whole world. Kellen Winslow Jr, a superb athlete who was playing for the Cleveland Browns, arguably one of the best tight ends in the game at the time, had all the trait of a great leader in the locker room and on the field. But he decided to something off the field that caused embarrassment to the team, the organization, the coaching staff, and to himself as well as caused an injury which took playing time away. Once this happened, his leadership ability had become tainted and doubt began to follow.

    Did you know that college scout are told not only to look at things such as grades, game stats, weight room stats, and agility, but they are also to note how they are dressed, manner of speech, and the way the carry their own body while they are standing completely still? Could these be other qualities of leadership?
   

    What traits do you look for? What is the most important quality a young man can have that would make him a stand out leader among any other? If a young junior quarterback has deadly accuracy, tremendous arm strength, a sub 4.6 forty, and a 3.9 GPA gets a young girl pregnant or gets caught drinking underage or is reported as being abusive at home to his single mother is he still team captain material? Or is it OK because he wins games? Is there a lacking trait you are willing to over look in hopes of improvement or increase in maturity?

    Let me know what you think!!! In a time where leadership and commitment to a higher standard can be scarce, a generation of young people can take a few lessons from a Charles Follis and Drew Brees in order to be men amongst boys.