Some thoughts on being a fan…
"Football is one of our great American games. It is the duty and responsibility of each of us to see that it is kept in its proper perspective, and that it is protected. We should see that it is used to attain the objectives that mean so much to our way of life.
We feel that the spectator can be most influential and instrumental in helping to achieve these objectives, if he will develop the right attitudes. May we suggest a few?
First, and foremost among these attitudes that must be developed, is the realization that in football there must be a winner and a loser (excepting the occasional tie). The fan who recognizes this principle gets a great deal more enjoyment from the game than one who becomes irritated, aggravated, and rambunctious when "his" team loses. We would never minimize the importance of winning, but it is very unfair to the coach, the player, and the school when the fan forgets it is impossible to "repudiate the law of mathematics"--i.e., there must be a winner and a loser.
It is important that each of us develop the art of appreciating great plays made by the opposition. We should always give our opponents credit, rather than criticize our team when the opposition makes a great play. We believe perfection in the execution of a great play in football is to be admired and appreciated, just as we appreciate and admire the work of a great artist in any field.
The spectator should remember the football players are just human beings. They perform at times under great pressure, and they, as all other earthly inhabitants, are likely to make mistakes. It behooves all of us to remember, "To err is human, to forgive, divine."
Finally, we should always keep uppermost in mind that football, with all its glamour, glitter, thrills and chills, plus everything that makes it great, has one thing more important than all of these combined--that is, the boy who plays it."
Robert L. "Bobby" Dodd
Head Coach and Athletic Director
Georgia Institute of Technology
1954
Some thoughts to share with your player…
The following was distributed to John Heisman’s football players. He played football for Penn. He coached football at Oberlin College in Ohio, University of Akron, Auburn University, Clemson University, Georgia Tech, Washington & Jefferson, and Rice University. He is the person for whom the Heisman Trophy is named. These rules are still distributed today from little league to the NFL. He was the first person to introduce the center “snap” and forward pass to the game of football.
ALWAYS
Always play with your head.
Always listen for signal.
Always block your opponent at any cost.
Always start as fast as you can.
Always be where the ball is.
Always win the game.
DON’T
Don’t lose your head.
Don’t fumble the ball.
Don’t tackle high.
Don’t stop running because you are behind.
Don’t hesitate about falling on the ball.
Don’t let a runner escape you after you have him.
Don’t lose the game.
CAN’T
You can’t play football without brains.
You can’t play too aggressively.
You can’t afford to waste time talking.
You can’t play ball with a swelled head.
You can’t win without using these principles.
NEVER
Never drop the ball.
Never get excited.
Never give up.
Never forget that a football player may be a gentleman.
Great Football Quotes
Football is like life, it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.
-- Vince Lombardi
The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity.
-- Unknown
If you don't make a total commitment to whatever you're doing, then you start looking to bail out the first time the boat starts leaking. It's tough enough getting that boat to shore with everybody rowing, let alone when a guy stands up and starts putting his jacket on.
-- Lou Holtz, College Football Coach
In doing your work in the great world, it is a safe plan to follow a rule I once heard on the football field: Don't flinch, don't fall; hit the line hard.
-- Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States
I just wrap my arms around the whole backfield and peel 'em one by one until I get to the ball carrier. Him I keep.
--Lipscomb
It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
-- Archie Griffin
