Reality Check...

You don’t need to go far in the 2007 NFL season to have a reality check hit you harder than a blitzing linebacker. On the 2nd half kickoff in the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Denver Broncos, Bills backup Tight End Kevin Everett suffered a horrible neck injury after making the tackle. Everett was rushed to the hospital and was announced to be paralyzed with little hope of recovering his ability to walk.

His teammate, quarterback J.P. Losman spoke about the tragedy in an interview and included that all NFL players sign up for and accept the risk of this type of injury. In fact, it seems every year, at least one similar type injury occurs in the NFL.

This article isn’t about the violence of the sport, not on tackling technique. Rather, it’s a reminder to keep things “real” in your coaching. We all are out to win games, but in the end we are all human beings with lives and families. One catastrophic injury like Everett’s will sometimes jolt us back to remember that it is, after all, just a game. There are more important aspects than the final score. That was evident as you watched teammates and opponents in silent prayer and vigil as Everett was being attended to.

As you spend your time coaching, the next time you are ready to blow up at a player or official, keep perspective over the fact that they are there just like you to enjoy the bond of athletics. Whatever has gotten your ire should not be enough to ruin the experience of another. Keep it real.

One postscript to the Kevin Everett story – Last night’s ESPN report indicated that Everett has shown remarkable progress in the few days following surgery. There is renewed hope that he will be able to walk again. Please keep him in your prayers.

Dan