Character Failure and the Code for Living

Ray Rice and Jameis Winston have brought to the forefront a number of issues. The crisis facing American sports is not one of talent, but of character. (And this is true in more than sports.) The fundamental truths of right and wrong, or good and bad, are being re-written by many of the players, coaches, administrators, and yes, Roger Goodell. Truth or right are being usurped by money or value to the team. What is happening is what a famous historian called “a failure of nerve” by those in leadership. The failure of nerve is of those in authority to teach and demand good character from their players – the kind of character reflected in the Code for Living. When Bear Bryant heard that Joe Namath had had a few sips of beer at a local diner, he suspended him for the final game of the year, and for the Sugar Bowl which followed. Joe was not drunk, nor was he arrested – he had simply broken training rules. It begins with youth coaches, continues with high school coaches, college and professional – coaches and administrators. The failure is not in the stars, as Shakespeare said, but in ourselves. What are your standards? How are you doing? How can you do better?