-
Jack Welch
I recently read an article about Drew Brees and was intrigued about obstacles he overcame during his career. Although the obstacles were different, I also remember my hometown great Lynn Dickey. How they were motivated tells each of their stories.
Many of you probably remember, Brees was the super bowl MVP for the New Orleans Saints. He was a prolific passer but not a speedster like Robert Griffin III. He also did not have the prototype frame of Peyton Manning. One thing he possessed though was the ability to win games and lead teams.
The former Westlake High School player, who led his team to a 16-0 record and the state championship, was only six feet tall. This is not considered tall enough for big-time colleges to recruit. Purdue signed him anyway and more history was made on his behalf. He led the Boilermakers to Rose Bowl and Alamo Bowl victories.
Then the Saints took a chance on Brees. Although he is not the prototype NFL quarterback, he is considered to be one of the best to ever play in the NFL. He was an All-Pro and earned Super Bowl MVP.
Brees had something special. He was driven from the inside. That inside drive was his faith. He grew up in the church. He was a faithful church and Sunday school attender.
He tells a story about a message he heard at church. The pastor referenced the movie A Few Good Men. He loved that movie and said the message hit at home the feeling he had of desiring to be one of those few good men. That is the day when he accepted Jesus Christ in his heart.
All the time he spent in the NFL, Brees led bible studies and served as the team’s chaplain. He endeared himself to teammates. His humble and never wavering spirit was an inspiration to everyone.
Another player that had an inner drive was my hometown hero Lynn Dickey. As a rookie third round draft choice of the Houston Oilers, Dickey dislocated his hip in a pre-season game while battling Dan Pastorini for the starting job. Many thought the injury would be career ending.
Lynn returned to the playing field after a grueling and long rehabilitation program. When asked how he was able to overcome such a big obstacle that would keep over 95% of athletes from ever playing again, he explained he was playing for his older brother Larry. Larry was stricken with polio as a child and was restricted to a wheelchair.
When I was a freshman in high school, I played quarterback and wore Lynn’s number on my jersey. Larry would come to our practices. We had a special friendship, and he would tell me encouraging words daily. He was an inspiration to all of us. His special personality and words of encouragement were also an encouragement to Lynn.
When the Green Bay Packers team historian Cliff Christl was asked about all the great Packer quarterbacks he mentioned the toughness, will to win, and competitiveness of Lynn Dickey. He said he had an unbelievably strong arm. He added when he thinks of which Packer quarterback had pinpoint accuracy, Lynn is the first to come to mind. What held Dickey back was his inability to run fast because of all his past injuries. Christl said Dickey would be in the Hall of Fame if he had the great offensive lines Favre and Rodgers have had.
Both Brees and Dickey are examples of how people overcome obstacles because of how they are driven. Our internal motor gets fuel by our thoughts. Remember, attitude is everything. Keep your motor running.
Thought of the week: “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Christopher Reeve
Dr. Jack Welch is an educator and college football coach. His doctorate is in educational administration, and he has been an educator, administrator, and football coach, mentoring young minds, for over 40 years. He is also the author of Foundations of Coaching. He can be reached at jackwelch1975@gmail.com.