A Message to WKU Football

Going to work and walking on campus was difficult today. It was like having a fight with a friend and you still have to see them. Seeing the parking spaces spray painted in front of Schneider Hall was just a reminder of the game.

Although I have always been a WKU fan, I cannot say a loss really put a damper on my day prior to attending college. It was during and after I tutored WKU athletes that I started taking L’s to heart. It probably took me three months to get over the loss to Indiana last year. Thank goodness I am not an athlete nor coach, because my emotions and inability to move on would affect my performance.

I am sure since Saturday, you have seen and heard nothing but criticism. This criticism may be somewhat foreign territory after coming off of a 12-2 2015 season and stellar home opener in 2016. You have probably heard everything from who to pull from the game to discussion of the 2-point conversion attempt. I will not be that person that tells you how to play, who to target, and point out every flaw in your performance. Last time I checked, I can throw maybe 15 yards, my foot completely misses the ball when attempting to kick from the 20 yard line, I run [at best] a 6.6 second 40-yard dash, tackling is out of the question, and about the only thing I can do is catch the ball fairly well…if I do not jam my finger in the process.

What I can do is offer advice.

Find the team’s identity

The team’s identity is not who is injured and who is healthy. The team’s identity is not who has the most touchdowns, targets, or blocks. The team’s identity will not be found by reminiscing or comparing thyself to 2015. Erase all of that from your mind.

The team’s identity will not be found by blaming oneself for the team’s collective loss. Many of you have probably watched Last Chance U: the docuseries following East Mississippi Community College’s football team. In episode #2, quarterback John Franklin III blames himself for the team’s first loss in 25 games. Selfish. No matter how talented you are, you do not make or break the game. The team does not win because you put up video game numbers, and the team does not lose because you had a poor performance. You are not the only man on the team.

As a team, you all must decide what finding identity entails. Hanging your head, looking at the ground, and Tweeting your disappointment will not get you any closer. The team’s identity will not be found by dwelling and living in the past. Identity is never static; it is always in the making and constantly evolving. When you find the team identity, it will become your armor and strength. Do not let the loss define you.

Be Attentive

A very wise man just told me:

“Pretend you are writing a 5-page paper for an English class. You follow the rubric, you write a killer paper, and cite your sources. You expect a good grade. Buttttt, you did not capitalize any word at the beginning of each sentence. You did all the big things right – followed directions, wrote an in depth analysis, cited every single source – but you forgot attention to detail: capitalization. You receive a bad grade no matter how well the paper was written. All that work only to get a bad grade because of something so little.”

Do not make the mistakes you can avoid. Do not taunt another athlete. Do not jump offsides. Do not target. You can catch a 70-yard bomb…you can sack a quarterback 5 times in one game…you can perfectly execute a trick play that results in a touchdown…but none of that will matter if you cannot perform the “little things.” 80, 90, 100-yard penalties later, and you find yourself wondering where the game went. You could have sworn the team was up by 2 touchdowns.

If you are not paying attention, the light will be red for you and green for the other guy.

Be a leader

Being a leader and being the best in your respective position are not synonymous. I do not care who you are and what your stats look like. I do not care if you are a freshman or a senior. Every single person has the ability to lead in some form or fashion. However, not everyone is willing to lead. If you want to win, if you want teams and fans to remember your name, you have to be hungry for it. You have to put everything you have, every ounce of your heart on the field. You have to play for the name on the front of your jersey and they will remember the name on the back. But if you walk out there and simply do what is expected – nothing more, nothing less – you are complacent. Leadership is not seniority. Leadership is an action and an example. Every second, every practice, every time you are playing, every time you are standing on the sideline, you have an opportunity to be the most important person out there…if you allow yourself.

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My criticism stems from my belief in you. I met and tutored many of you while I was in college. I have high expectations because I know you are capable of accomplishing great things. You have 8 games left in the regular season. What are you going to do to better yourself and the team?