Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

2 days ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

3 days ago

In Win for Trump, US Supreme Court Limits Judges’ Power to Block Birthright Citizenship Order

3 days ago

California’s Newsom Sues Fox News for $787 Million for Defamation Over Trump Call

3 days ago

Motorcycle Collides With Tractor in Fatal Fresno County Collision

3 days ago

Fourth of July Celebrations Begin Saturday. Here’s Your Fresno Area Guide

3 days ago

Bill Moyers, Broadcaster and LBJ’s White House Press Secretary, Dies at 91

3 days ago

State Department Approves $30 Million for Gaza Humanitarian Foundation

3 days ago

Cargo Ship That Caught Fire Carrying Electric Vehicles Sinks in the Pacific

4 days ago

4 Million Acres of California Forests Could Lose Protection. What Trump’s ‘Roadless Rule’ Repeal Could Do

4 days ago
Lessons for Teachers and Students From Coach Vince Lombardi
The-Conversation
By The Conversation
Published 6 years ago on
December 21, 2019

Share

This Dec. 21 marks the 50th anniversary of the last football game Vince Lombardi ever coached. Remembered primarily as the helmsman of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s and namesake of the Super Bowl trophy, Lombardi has been ranked as one of the top 10 greatest coaches in the history of American sports.

Portrait of Richard Gunderman
Richard Gunderman
Opinion
Like many greats, Lombardi considered coaching a form of teaching. As an educator who has spoken on Lombardi on numerous occasions, I find that his approach offers vital insights for today’s teachers, students and anyone who cares about educational excellence.

Education and Early Career

Since he died nearly 50 years ago, Lombardi may be unfamiliar to many. Born in Brooklyn to devoutly Catholic Italian immigrant parents, he originally intended to become a priest but instead attended Fordham University on a football scholarship. Though only 5’ 8″ and 180 pounds, Lombardi took his place as one of the “seven blocks of granite” of the team’s offensive line.
After graduating magna cum laude in 1937, Lombardi coached high school football and taught Latin and science. He subsequently moved on to assistant coaching positions at Fordham, West Point and the New York Giants.
In 1959, he became head coach of the Packers, a struggling team that had won only one game the previous season. With Lombardi at the helm, the team’s fortunes immediately changed, as they posted a 7-5 record and Lombardi won Coach of the Year honors. His teams went on to win five NFL championships, including the first two Super Bowls.
The Washington Redskins then recruited Lombardi as head coach, but the final game of the 1969 season turned out to be his last. He was diagnosed with colon cancer and died in 1970. Though he has been gone a long time, three of his core educational principles continue to resonate.

1. Put Fundamentals First

Lombardi put fundamentals first. Each year at training camp, he would begin at the beginning, holding up a ball and telling the team, “Gentlemen, this is a football.” Lombardi knew that the will to win was not enough. To perform at their best, his players needed to know that they had prepared as thoroughly as possible to win.
Focusing on the fundamentals meant repetition. Although some of his players were the best in the game, he reviewed basic techniques of blocking and tackling and insisted on intense conditioning and drills.
And the same applied to his players’ characters. Lombardi relied on repetition to instill in every player such virtues as “hard work, sacrifice, perseverance, competitive drive, selflessness, and respect for authority.” These, he believed, were the fundamentals of excellence.
Such fundamentals are equally important for today’s teachers and students. At a time when standardized tests seem to tower over the educational landscape, abilities such as creativity, oral and written expression and collaboration – which are tending to be neglected – are more important than ever.
There is a big difference between selecting the “one best response” on a multiple-choice test and formulating a creative proposal, making a convincing case for it and drawing people together in pursuit of a shared goal.

2. Focus on Effort

Lombardi is often quoted as saying, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” Whether or not Lombardi actually expressed such a view, it was not a “win at any costs” mentality. Unlike some notable competitors, the Green Bay Packers under Lombardi were never a “dirty” team that would do whatever it took to come out on top.

“Gentlemen, we are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it, because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it, because in the process we will catch excellence. I am not remotely interested in just being good.”Vince Lombardi
As Lombardi announced in his very first meeting with his Packers team,
Gentlemen, we are going to relentlessly chase perfection, knowing full well we will not catch it, because nothing is perfect. But we are going to relentlessly chase it, because in the process we will catch excellence. I am not remotely interested in just being good.
Recent scandals involving test cheating by teachers and bribery by parents serve as powerful reminders that an obsession with winning can eclipse education’s real goal.

3. Practice Love

According to biographer David Maraniss, Lombardi once gave a pep talk to his team that began with an unexpected question: “What is the meaning of love?”

“Teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers were all about. They didn’t do it for individual glory. They did it because they loved one another.” — Vince Lombardi
As one of the team members present later explained, “Coach didn’t want us picking on each other. Instead he wanted us thinking, ‘What can I do to make it easier for my teammate to help us win the game?’” The question was not, “How can I look better?” but “What can I contribute to make the team shine?”
When asked some years later about the source of his team’s excellence, Lombardi replied:
Teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers were all about. They didn’t do it for individual glory. They did it because they loved one another. 
There are many bases on which we can appeal to contemporary teachers and students to do better. One is fear of the negative consequences of failure. Another is a desire to win recognition and rewards.
But perhaps the deepest and most enduring appeal is to love – a desire to make a difference in the lives of others and delight in seeing them flourish. Whether in sports or in life, when education is motivated by a desire to contribute, greatness becomes a possibility.

A Great Teacher

Lombardi collected many honors. In addition to winning widespread acclaim as one of the greatest coaches in the history of American sport, Lombardi received another award that probably meant more to him.
In 1967, Lombardi’s beloved alma mater, Fordham, awarded him its highest honor, the Insignis Medal, for being “a great teacher.” As Lombardi’s coaching life attests, there could be no greater purpose in life than helping human beings rise to their full potential.
About the Author 
Richard Gunderman, Chancellor’s Professor of Medicine, Liberal Arts, and Philanthropy, Indiana University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

I Detest Netanyahu, but on Some Things He’s Actually Right

DON'T MISS

University of Virginia President Resigns Under Pressure From Trump Administration

DON'T MISS

How Did the Supreme Court Rule? Here’s a Look at the Big Cases

DON'T MISS

Mamdani’s NYC Primary Win Sparks Surge in Anti-Muslim Posts, Advocates Say

DON'T MISS

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

DON'T MISS

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

DON'T MISS

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

DON'T MISS

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

DON'T MISS

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

UP NEXT

Wonderdog Still Barking: Justin Wilson Thrives With Boston Red Sox

UP NEXT

Much of LA’s Community of Immigrants Is Hiding, Leaving a Hole in the Fabric of the City

UP NEXT

Trump Administration Orders CA to Strip Trans Athlete of Medals

UP NEXT

Things Netanyahu Might Say if Injected With Truth Serum

UP NEXT

California Politicians Ignore Ag’s Troubles, but Boost Movie Business

UP NEXT

Trump’s Courageous and Correct Decision to Bomb Iran

UP NEXT

Thunder Cap Incredible Season by Beating Pacers for NBA Title

UP NEXT

How the Attacks on Iran Are Part of a Much Bigger Global Struggle

UP NEXT

LA Dodgers Pledge $1 Million to Support Families Impacted by ICE Raids

UP NEXT

Groceries Are Now a Luxury. So Is Breathing.

Mamdani’s NYC Primary Win Sparks Surge in Anti-Muslim Posts, Advocates Say

2 days ago

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

2 days ago

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

2 days ago

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

2 days ago

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

2 days ago

US Consumer Spending Falls as Trump Tariff’s Muddle Economy

2 days ago

US Supreme Court Preserves Key Element of Obamacare

2 days ago

US Supreme Court Lets Parents Take Kids Out of Classes With LGBT Storybooks

3 days ago

Fresno Unified Trustees Will Get Automatic Raises on Tuesday

3 days ago

Alleged ‘Fake’ ICE Agents Charged. Fresno Court Date Set

3 days ago

I Detest Netanyahu, but on Some Things He’s Actually Right

Like a lot of people of center-right/center-left political leanings, I’ve spent the past few decades detesting Prime Minister Benjamin Netan...

2 days ago

2022 Election Rally for Netanyahu
2 days ago

I Detest Netanyahu, but on Some Things He’s Actually Right

University of Virginia President James Ryan Resigns
2 days ago

University of Virginia President Resigns Under Pressure From Trump Administration

2 days ago

How Did the Supreme Court Rule? Here’s a Look at the Big Cases

Zohran Mamdani Speaks to Supporters
2 days ago

Mamdani’s NYC Primary Win Sparks Surge in Anti-Muslim Posts, Advocates Say

American Flag Revolver
2 days ago

Trump Sends in DOGE to Slash Federal Gun Regulations by July 4

Rob_Bonta_Speaking_At_Press_Conference_1280x720
2 days ago

Tensions Flare at Announcement of Major Fresno County Gang Takedown

Garry_Bredefeld_Sandra_Celedon_Mesure_C_1280x720
2 days ago

Measure C ‘Blackmailed’ As Fresno Enviro Coalition Gets Huge Say on Transportation Tax

Fresno_Unified_Raises_1280x720
2 days ago

Despite $49M Deficit, Fresno Unified Gives Top Brass 5% Raise, 3% One-Time Bonus

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend