Fear is selfishness

I was at an industry event recently and one of the speakers was Eric Boles, who began his career in the NFL and has been an executive coach for the last few years.  He told a story about one of his first games as a rookie that says a lot about human nature. Drafted as a wide receiver, Eric was first assigned to the kick-off team where his job as the fastest man on the team was to run down field as fast as he could and breakup the opponents’ “wedge” that would be forming to protect the kick-off returner.

In his first game, he was full of rookie enthusiasm as he lined up on the kick-off. As soon as the kicker’s foot touched the ball, he blasted down the speed at full tilt.  As he headed down field, he saw the opposing wedge being formed by players who outweighed him by 20 to 40 pounds and who were headed at him at almost an equal speed.  His enthusiasm was overcome by an instant of rational thought: this was not likely to going to turn out well for him.

So he decided at the last moment not to hit the wedge straight on but instead go around it and use his speed to catch the returner from behind.  Luckily, he did just that.  He rose from the tackle in self-congratulatory exultation and was greeted by his teammates’ high five’s as he returned to the sidelines. He felt pretty good about himself.

That feeling lasted until the next day when the special teams coach was reviewing game film with the team.  As Eric watched himself run downfield in slow motion, the coach told everyone to play close attention to Eric’s performance. He said,”Notice how Eric fails to do his job and runs around the wedge.  By doing so, no one else on the team could do their job.  As a result, the tackle was made on the 45 yardline rather than back on the 20 yardline putting them close to field goal range which they ended up making. I am sure all of you remember that we lost by a field goal.”

And then he focused on Eric, he said,”If I could send you home today I would. This team cannot afford selfish players and what you did was selfish.  It was not the seeking of glory of making the tackle that made you show your selfishess.  It was your fear of hitting the wedge. It was your fear that kept you from doing what was necessary. Fear is selfishness. You were more concerned about yourself than the needs of your teammates who counted on you.”

I wonder how I would fare in that darkened room if we were reviewing my life on a game film. Probably a lot worse than I like to think. I’ll try to remember who is counting on me the next time I am tempted to run around the wedge. Wish me a good game!