“The first time I saw a player “showboat” after making a play, I said, “Try to act like you’ve done this before.” If you had to call attention to yourself or celebrate excessively, you must not be very good. It was just like a hole in one in golf. Now this would be a cause for celebration because it only happens once or twice in a lifetime, if at all. Two points was hardly a reason to be demonstrative. Why not appear to be accustomed to make great plays?” – from A Coach’s Life by Dean Smith

Dean Smith’s biography is packed full of great content. Initially, the book didn’t interest me, but it has gotten better and better (I’m about halfway through as I write). This little passage was a “Finally someone said it!” moment for me. The posturing and posing following a sack, basket, goal, or any reasonably play in sports has always made me question whether the player is more interested in drawing attention to themselves or focusing on doing their job on the team.

This showboating, in my opinion, has become even more prolific in the social media and entertainment world we live in. Many players want highlights, ESPN top 10 moments, and those financial deals that come from attention. Coaches must be intentional to teach players to “act like you’ve done this before.”

Like many of you, although according to ratings not as many as usual, I watched the final of the College Football Championship between Georgia and TCU. There was some showboating, especially from the Georgia team, but I was impressed by tight end Brock Bowers. He made play after play racking up 7 receptions for 152 yards and a touchdown. What impressed me the most, however, was his demeanor. He made the catch, got tackled (eventually), got up, and got back in position. He gave the impression of being used to making great plays.

That doesn’t mean to say that we don’t celebrate really big moments, of course. But coaches, next time one of your athletes has to inform the world of their greatness following a good play, remind them of Smith’s quote. Show them examples of players in their sport who didn’t need to pose. As Michael Jordan’s famous Nike commercial said, “Let your game speak.”