“One message that I repeat constantly to my players and coaches is that we are all role models. Every human being is a role model. It is an inescapable fact of life. You’re either a good role model or a bad one. Your example is either helpful or harmful. You improve the lives of others or you diminish them. But a role model you most definitely are.” – The Bowden Way by Bobby Bowden
I was recently competing in a recreational match while wearing my USA shirt. “I like your jersey,” my doubles partner said to me. I hadn’t really thought about it when I’d just grabbed a shirt earlier, but it dawned on me then that the shirt I was wearing meant that I was still representing USA even though I wasn’t representing USA in that moment. I wasn’t just representing me. Imagine if I had blown up at a lost point with USA on my back. “Isn’t he the junior’s coach?” someone might ask. “What kind of example is that?”
The same could have been said had I been wearing FSU COACH apparel. I love wearing it and have struck up some great conversations from someone who sees my hat or bag etc. It’s excellent marketing material, but it also comes with responsibility. The truth is that whether we represent FSU COACH, Team USA, school, or college, it doesn’t matter whether we’re wearing the uniform or not. We’re always representing more than us. Consequently, we must remember that we’re serving as a role model. If we’re arguing with a ref (hopefully never!) or any action that might be “diminishing the lives of others,” we aren’t just representing ourselves. Our behaviors reflect on others. As Bobby Bowden said, “a role model you most definitely are.” Remember this as you instruct, coach, and lead.