Nick Saban will get another nat'l title this year. He is the best coach in college football (sorry Frank) because he knows how to inspire his players like no other coach. I'd love to see us try to do something like this.
http://www.rolltidebama.com/forum/index.php?threads/marcus-luttrells-spe...
Loved the book, but actually hearing some of the story from Marcus himself gave me goosebumps.
Edit: Sorry if you tried to watch and couldn't on last link. Alabama is afraid they will inspire others and made the youtube users take down the video. I posted a working link though.
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So much heart. We need more DW attitude
We all love Coach Beamer, but he just seems a little too chill at times. Look our defense throughout the years, compared to our offense. There's a swagger difference. There's a different intensity. Through Coach Foster, Gray, Wiles, and Brown those kids have upheld this team in times of chaos. The seed of inspiration doesn't usually plant itself.
I don't mind the players being "Rah, Rah", but I prefer my CEO/Coach to be chill, actually.
As far as that defensive swagger you talk about is concerned, don't think for a second that attitude isn't Beamer approved. CFB is a defensive minded guy from way back.
Three things:
1. God Bless the American Soldier
2. I don't like comparing athletes to soldiers.
3. As for locker room speeches, I think they are overrated. Constant on the field leadership makes much more difference than a ra ra speach.
Your point 2 was weighing on me heavily while I watched that. Mixing the true story of real people losing their lives in a violent manner in service to their country with footage of a football game made me really uncomfortable.
I'm with you fellows.
I didn't watch it but I definately agree with point #2. Having been overseas and been shot at in anger and shooting back is definately nothing to compare to sports. The object of our (combat soldiers) jobs is to wage war and kill. To prepare yourself mentally and physically to willingly go into harms way with the objective of killing people and at times at very close distance. I hate when sports or athletes are compared to combat soldiers. The only similarities are that both are emotional and both require us to be in physical shape to win.
"Coach always said, 60 minutes for the next 60 years of your life. I say, screw that. Let's go play 30 minutes for the next 30 minutes of our lives."
Let me tell you, the timing of this post is impeccable. I just recently picked up a copy of Luttrell's book (Lone Survivor) at my local NY library...and I cannot put it down. It is riveting; has made me sit on the edge of my seat since Friday; has made me nervous, proud, and angry all at once...heck, I even cried. If I didn't have other responsibilities, us have finished it in a day. To hear his story, one of courage, valor, determination, drive...in the face of certain death, is incredible. Every red blooded American needs to read that book, and thank your lucky stars that we live in this great country. There are men and women everyday, dying for our freedom, while we sit back and loathe the decision of some 18 year old kids college choice. Don't get me wrong--for me, Hokie football is my passion, and you Hokie nation, are my brothers. But I totally get the correlation of soldier and football player--the testimony from Marcus was intense and made me want to put on the SEAL armor, the VT uniform, and go to war for my team. I commend Saban for bringing him in...I would hope Beamer could and would do the same. But my hat, my heart, and my salute go out to you, Marcus, and every other soldier for fighting for us, in the face of enemy fire. Hoorah!
Beamer has done the something very similar. He doesn't put a lot of stock in gameday pep talks, but he has hosted military veterans during summer training camp, asking them to address the team then to try to inspire their efforts before the season begins. I know I have seen a news story or two on it; just can't seem to find the link. I'll update this if I can dig it up.
I dont know what to say really.
Three minutes,
to the biggest battle of our professional lives,
all comes down to today.
Now either,
we heal as a team,
or were gonna crumble.
Inch by inch,
play by play,
till were finished.
Were in hell right now, gentlemen.
Believe me.
And,
we can stay here and get the shit kicked out of us.
Or,
we can fight our way back into the light.
We can climb out of hell.
One inch, at a time.
Now, I cant do it for you.
Im too old.
I look around, I see these young faces and I think,
I made every wrong choice a middle age man can make.
I pissed away all my money, believe it or not.
I chased off anyone whos ever loved me.
And lately, I cant even stand the face I see in the mirror.
You know, when you get old in life,
things get taken from you.
Thats part of life.
But, you only learn that when you start losing stuff.
You find out lifes this game of inches.
So is football.
Because in either game,
life or football,
the margin for error is so small.
I mean,
One half step too late or too early,
and you dont quite make it.
One half second too slow, too fast,
you dont quite catch it.
The inches we need are everywhere around us.
Theyre in ever break of the game.
Every minute, every second.
On this team, we fight for that inch.
On this team, we tear ourselves, and everyone else around us to pieces for that inch.
We claw with our finger nails for that inch!
Because we know,
when we add up all those inches,
thats gonna make the fucking difference between winning and losing!
Between living and dying!
Ill tell you this:
In any fight,
its the guy whos willing to die
whos gonna win that inch.
And I know,
if Im gonna have any life anymore,
its because, Im still willing to fight and die for that inch
Because thats what living is!
The six inches in front of your face!
Now I cant make you do it!
You gotta look at the guy next to you.
Look into his eyes!
Now I think
youre gonna see a guywho will go that inch with you.
Youre gonna see a guywho will sacrifice himself for this team
because he knows when it comes down to it,
youre gonna do the same for him.
Thats a team, gentlemen.
And, either we heal now! as a team!
Or we will die as individuals.
Thats football guys.
Thats all it is.
Now, what are you gonna do?
Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment.
Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite Soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than any other Soldier.
Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one-hundred-percent and then some.
Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained Soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.
Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.
Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.
RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!
As far as comparing athletes to Soldiers, meh. We as Soldiers have done the same thing. I remember after 9-11 we were saying we're going to the "show", "big dance" and that "practice" was over it's "game time".
Geneticaly men are hard wired for violence and brotherhood. Only two places you can usually find a hearty amount of both.
But after an afternoon of battle, you don't shake hands with the other side, hop in your Lambo & head to your mansion. There's real & play battle. It's great that it doesn't bother you, but I've heard plenty of servicemen say they hate the comparison. As for me, I'll always respect what you and your fellows do way more than athletes.