Character matters most...
 

Character matters most

By Jefferson Wolfe, jwolfe@advertiser-tribune.com


A former Cleveland Browns head coach said a person's life is built on character.

"You can't mass produce character," Sam Rutigliano said.
He spoke Thursday morning at the Good Morning World breakfast at Camden Falls Conference Center. The event was sponsored by Tiffin University.

Rutigliano opened by talking about Edmond Hillary, who climbed Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, in 1953. The odds were against Hillary, and more and more people quit the expedition.

When Hillary and his guide got to the top, they could only spend 15 minutes there, Rutigliano said.

Hillary said the view from the top wasn't nearly as exhilarating as the climb.

"Everybody has their Mount Everest," Rutigliano said.

Success or failure is in a person's attitude, he said. Failure is, in a large part, due to a person's self image, he added.

The former Browns coach cited his quarterback, Brian Sipe, who was a low-round draft pick, but rose to be one of the most prolific passers in the game.

"Every day I get up, there's glorious opportunities that are disguised as unsolvable problems," Rutigliano said.

A person also must have discipline to succeed, he said. The word comes from "disciple," meaning to follow a good leader.

As a coach, Rutigliano had three rules: be on time, listen and hustle. He asked his players to perform them with consistency.

It is difficult to define the word "hero" in society today, Rutigliano said. He defines it as someone who changes another person's life.

According to a Newsweek study the coach cited, kids who succeed after growing up in troubled environments always have someone at the right time to help them.

"That's what a hero is," Rutigliano said.

Character is the most important thing a person can have, he said. This is doing what is right because it's right.

"To me, it's character above all," the coach said. To figure out someone's character, he does not watch what the person says, but what he does.

A person's life is built on character, Rutigliano said.


For the rest......

http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/ne...w01sam0218.asp

Character matters most...
 

Characther is important, for sure. But most important? I think that\'s debateable!

The NFL is full of \"thugs\". Some of these \"thugs\" play a very large role in their teams success.

Some thugs - like Jamal Lewis - have been an instrumental part of bringing their teams to the promised land. Jamal was just convicted of making a cocaine deal. And his defensive \"thug\" teammate - Ray Lewis - was aquitted of murder not too long ago.

The NLF promotes character. NFL coaches promote character. But, believe me folks, character is NOT the top priority in the NFL. Winning is.

The NFL is full of players who cheat on their wifes. Full of drug users. Full of players who have childern out of wedlock.

Most teams only pay lip-service when it comes to character. Michael Irvin had many character problems. He also played a very large role in the Cowboy\'s 3 super bowl victories.

Character is \"most\" important when it comes to certain professions. Like the \"ministery\" profession.

But, football? It\'s hard to find 53-guys with no character issues. I don\'t think you go cutting guys that can play just because they have character issues.

Character matters most...
 

I know Billy!! I mean c\'mon, \"What about the players side of the arguement? [this guy] never even talked about that!! \"
http://www.blackandgold.net/site/mod...id=8075&page=2

I mean, \"spare me \'looking at it from a TEAM standpoint,\'\" all that matters is if the player gets paid.
http://www.blackandgold.net/site/mod...id=8075&page=2

:o :o :o :o :o

Character matters most...
 

I find it interesting that you take this position on the issue of character...a trait that your favorite player lacks.

I am beginning to wonder if perhaps you are on the B&G payroll, paid to be a character yourself...sort of a \"devil\'s advocate\" type character. Your job is to keep the group stirred into a frenzy, prompting multiple posts from all. This would give the forum an appearance of worth. If it is worth something, then does that mean that it could be sold for a profit? Is it also possible for you to have another identity, and in some cases are debating against yourself. Has anyone else ever wondered about this possibility, or am I just way too far out there. Just food for thought for some of the other members. It would explain away something that otherwise seems to be unexplainable, IMO.

Character matters most...
 

LB - I\'ve said it once and I\'ll say it again. You ever see the Matrix?

Don\'t try to understand the Billy Logic, that\'s impossible. Only seek to know the truth... that there is no logic.

Character matters most...
 

And you\'re a moderator on this board, WhoDat? Well, I\'m not going to go where you go.

Let me know when you can have a civil conversation. Until then....

Character matters most...
 

Were you seeking a civil conversation when you started your \"Offseason\" thread yesterday.

Character matters most...
 

Interesting article Joe.

Before we get bogged down in a tangential issue, let me get it out of the way: a long while back BMG (where are you buddy?) pointed out that AB was hard to cheer for because he was a dispicable character. I agree.

Now on to the good stuff:
(1) I agree with Billy, character of the kind they seem to be talking about in the article is VERY overrated and not that common in the NFL. Teams are loaded with drug abusers, wife beaters, and criminals of all kinds. Worse yet, they have the money and prestige to get out of jams that \"their buddy\'s back home on the streets don\'t.\" So, I\'m not a huge fan of \"show me a guy who climbed his way out of the gutter, and I\'ll show you a hero\" stuff. Sometimes that makes sense, and sometimes it doesn\'t.

(2) That said, notice that Rutigliano is not really talking about that kind of Character. He\'s got three rules: be on time, listen, and hustle. That is what he really means by Character. I would add \"learn\", \"love your team\", and \"have a love of the game\", and then you\'d have the kind of character that I think matters. The kind of character is the kind of guy that should get some respect, at least within the context of the game, as a man of character.

Imagine a player with the following mental characteristics:
- good learner (he listens and learns from coaches, veterans, etc.)
- loves to play (he loves the game, is thankful for his opportunity to play, loves his team, etc.)
- has some fight (hustles, has a good motor, works hard in practice, etc.)
- takes it seriously (shows up on time, understand his role, etc.)

That is a guy who has all the MENTAL attributes anyone could ask for; that is a guy with character within the NFL.

Are there other things a guy would need? That is an interesting question to me.

Character matters most...
 

How about being a role-model for younger fans...do you consider that important, or is that only for old farts like me?

Character matters most...
 

Good call LB.

I do think that matters, but more as a matter of general character.

When it comes to being a player with character, I think you can divide that into at least two catagories:
1. General character (which seems to be what most players lack).
And
2. Football character (which has to do with the things I was pointing out).

Well, now that I think about it, being a role model for younger fans seems to come in two flavors two:
1. Being a role model tout court - that is, being a complete person for them to look up to.
2. Being a football role model - that is, expressing the characteristics that make one a good football player (like having the mental characteristics I noted and physical skills).

I could imagine someone saying that you should try to emulate Ray Lewis on the field, but not off the field.

Which did you have in mind?

Character matters most...
 

Teams have spent millions of dollars scouting, administering physical and psychological tests and performing background checks on potential draftees, as the question of a player\'s character was never more of an issue than it is today.

But, even after NFL teams find out that a player has a \"questionable past\", it does not deter a team from drafting a player. Although most teams would rather avoid using a high draft pick to acquire a player with known behavioral problems, it seems to be increasingly more difficult to find players who do not have any questions of character surrounding them.

No one wants a player with character problems. But most NFL clubs know that it usually takes some of these types to win.

Where would Brian Bilick be without Ray Lewis and Jamal Lewis? He\'d have one less super bowl victory, that\'s where he would be.

And most fans only think of character as an after-thought. No one wants Ray Lewis and Jamal Lewis cut in Baltimore. That is ... as long as they are producing.

I\'ve always noticed when a team is winning, the low character guys aren\'t much of a problem. (exp. - Dallas Cowboys of the 90\'s, Baltimore Ravens of 2000\'s). But just as soon as a team starts losing ... all of a sudden it\'s those low character guys who are the problem.

Character matters most...
 

I don\'t separate on field from off field. If he is not a good role model, I consider that to be a bad \"characteristic\" in a player. It is not easy to be a good role-model, because you have to be careful about how you live your personal life and be conscious of the effect that the things you say and do have on other people, especially younger ones who look up to you and consider you as an idol. But that\'s just the way I feel. Some people don\'t care about all of that, but, maybe if they had children they would feel differently. Maybe not. I have negative feelings towards AB because of some of his characteristics both on the field and off. Again, when I make an opinion of someone, I consider the whole package.

Character matters most...
 

WOW!!! What a thought. That would be great. If only our_____________ was like that. He might learn to keep his mouth shut. He might learn to listen and learn all the things he\'s getting paid millions to do. He might learn what it means to be a leader whether it be silent or vocal. I won\'t turn this into another thread about a certain player but it sure makes one wonder.

As for character not being important or at least one of the most important things, I don\'t want anyone working for me that is of low character. Do you? Just because a good player is of questionable character doesn\'t make me want to sign him to a contract.Seems we signed a receiver a few years ago that wasn\'t of the best character. Where is he now? At home scratching his unemployed azz! Where most of the rest of these goons need to be.

[Edited on 20/2/2005 by JOESAM2002]

Character matters most...
 

I think Billy\'s point was this:

Sure character is great, but it only seems to matter, football wise, when he isn\'t producing as we\'d like.

How many guys want Ray Lewis on this team? LOTS. Is he a good character guy? I don\'t think so.

LB, I understand your view. I was just thinking that if a guy at least had \"football character\" that would be a step in the right direction (and Joe seems to agree). Your idea is that character is all or nothing, in a sense.

Perhaps this is another way to put it: \"football character\" is just a sub-set of \"general character\", not a different thing. I guess I agree with you. I think though, we might say things like - this guy is a real azz, but at least he does his job (I know lots of people like that, outside the football world too). This way, we could demand that our players have AT LEAST \"football character\".

Does that sound right?

Character matters most...
 

I see your point, and the person you describe would at least have some redeeming qualities, or characteristics. However, the guy that does his job and is a good role-model to boot would be a cut above the other guy, IMO.

Character matters most...
 

Uh yeah - but so what? For the most part, if a guy shows up every day and does his job, who cares if he\'s an a$$hole off the field? I mean, what is the team concerned with? Their multi-million dollar investment. If the guy produces like he\'s supposed to, then who cares?

BUT - when his antics or what have you start to affect the team, then it\'s a problem. That doesn\'t make sense? There are two types of these - as far as I can tell. Producers whose poor character is so bad that it still outweighs their benefit (at least sometimes). And those who can\'t even begin to produce b/c of their problems.

Randy Moss or Jamal Lewis might be examples of the first group. Guys who are good players, but whose BS on and off the field constantly causes problems for the TEAM - whether it be through distractions or b/c the player can\'t participate b/c he\'s suspended.

Then there\'s the opposite group. Guys like Sullivan, who despite all the talent in the world, cannot even begin to produce b/c he\'s too lazy to work. The corner we picked up from Buffalo whose name I can\'t remember right now is another good example of off the field problems that keep a guy from even suiting up.

But yeah, character only becomes an issue when a guy isn\'t producing. Why? B/c if he\'s a good enough athlete, what\'s keeping him from performing? His attitude.

Character matters most...
 

It took 2 years for WhoDat to reverse his stance on this issue.

So........ you don\'t give a damn about character if the guy produces, huh? Glad you feel that way.

That\'s the samething I\'ve said MANY times. And each time WhoDat criticized me for saying it. I guess you can teach on old dog new tricks. Go fetch boy...lol

Character matters most...
 

I intend the word \"produce\" to mean \"does his job.\" To me, that involves the ability to read a defense, lead a team, or throw a touch pass, when speaking about a QB. AB does not \"produce\" to a level commisserate with his pay, mouth, or team expectations. I\'ve never said that character matter and performance is irrelevant. In fact, I\'ve maintained the exact opposite. To me, saying a person is overpaid (meaning his value as a \"performer\" is less than the demands of his salary), or that intangibles are inherent in expectations and affect performance is not to say that character is all that matters, nor does it mean that statistics are the only relevant measure. But I wouldn\'t expect you to understand.

What\'s your argument now Billy? Performance is all that matters (unless you\'re talking about AB and then it doesn\'t matter b/c it\'s all really his line\'s fault, and his WRs\' fault, and his RBs\' fault)... or that character does matter (but only when you\'re bashing the one constant Pro Bowler on the team, not when you\'re talking about an egomaniac QB who is insulting his teammates)??? Which is it?

[Edited on 20/2/2005 by WhoDat]

Character matters most...
 

WhoDat --

I didn\'t want to bring AB in to yet another thread. But ... since you did, I will respond.

First ... in this particular thread, I was discussing character as it relates to football players in general.

I don\'t think anyone can argue that many players with questionable character have played instrumental roles in their teams success. ( i.e. Michael Irvin, Jamal Lewis, Ray Lewis)

And I don\'t think anyone can argue that players with questionalble character have played large roles in the down fall of their teams. i.e. (Ricky Williams)

My stance has always been if a player is producing, then I\'m not really worried about their character.

The only arguement I\'ve ever had with you or anyone else on the character issue is when I\'m told a player can\'t succeed without good character. That\'s been said many times, or suggested. I\'ve even been told that character is the most important thing!! I don\'t buy that. Never have and never will.

Ideally I would like all of our players to have outstanding character. I\'d like them to be good citizens, give back to the community, and be good role models for the kids.

But that\'s just not realistic when it comes to the NFL. Or ANY sport as far as that\'s concerned. Just check out the NBA?!

Now ... on AB.

I don\'t think there\'s anything wrong with Brooks\' character. He\'s broken no laws. Never even been accused of a crime. Shows up for practice everday. Generally, I think he does what the coaches ask.

I think Brooks\' problem is a lack of maturity. Not character. He hasn\'t handled the criticism well. He\'s said some STUPID things. He\'s acted very childish when he\'s been confronted about certain things. He seems very sensetive.

I would love it if Brooks just quit commenting to the media or just accepted the all the blame regardless of whether he deserved it or not.

But - I can understand how the criticism could get to a QB. I saw Chad Pennington have a total meltdown in front of the media.

What Brooks says really doesn\'t bother me like it does a lot of folks. I don\'t really think it\'s affecting his teammates either.

Brooks has been criticized both fairly and unfairly. The smart thing for him to have done is just to roll with the punches.

I can understand why his comments upset fans. But, I cannot understand why some folks are on the HATE WAGON when it comes to Brooks.

Character matters most...
 

That\'s not it at all. I just don\'t agree with folks who think players have to have great character to succeed in the NFL.

And I don\'t agree with the folks who think character is the most important thing when selecting football players for your team.

That\'s my only arguement.

Character matters most...
 

Then it would be safe to assume that you would\'ve had no problem drafting someone like Lawrence Phillips, right?

Here is a link that addresses this issue.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/plai...0719189502.xml

Character matters most...
 

I think you\'re confusing \"intangibles\" with \"character.\" I do agree with Gator that character is extremely important, but I can\'t ever remember saying that a player cannot succeed without having high moral fiber. If you can, then can you show me a quote?

Character matters most...
 

Nah..... I\'m not confusing intagibles with character.

The intangible thing is a whole other deabate... ;)

To be honest with you, WhoDat, I really can\'t remember if you told me that a player couldn\'t succeed without great character. But, I\'ve had many folks either say that specifically or suggest it in one way or another. When someone tells me character is the most important thing -- I take that to mean a player can\'t succeed without it.

Everything else equal, I would take a player that has good character.

Poor character has been the downfall of many a player!

In any event, I don\'t think character has been AB problem at all. I think a lack of maturity has caused him grief in the media and that has turned a lot of fans off.

I think there\'s a big difference betwen \"character\" and \"lack of maturity.\" Character is usually instilled by a person\'s parents. Or someone...

Brooks is definately immature when it comes to accepting criticism. Maybe if he were more humble folks would accept him better. I don\'t know?

But, again, I haven\'t seen where it\'s affect his play on the field or his teammates play.

Sure, Brooks has made mistakes, but you\'ll have a hard time convincing me that it\'s because of character or lack or maturity.

And you\'ll have a hard time convincing me that Brooks character is affecting his teammates.

Folks can make those claims, but they are completely without any evidence to support it, IMHO. But, I\'m willing to lisen and I\'m willing to change my stance if a good case can be presented.

And, no, just because the majority of this board might agree with you .... that ain\'t good enough for me ... LOL...





[Edited on 21/2/2005 by GumboBC]

Character matters most...
 

I\'ve only been a member of this board for about a weak and I can already tell I will have my share of disagreements with Gumbo, however, I agree with him in this case.
I don\'t think Brooks problem is lack of character. I think it\'s from lack of talent, but that\'s an argument for a different post.
I may be wrong, Brooks may have a worse character than any other player in the NFL. I just never saw that particular issue. I don\'t know b/c I never met the guy. What I do know is that AB has major flaws in talent. He simply isn\'t as good as you give him credit for, Gumbo. Brooks character may be a problem and it may not be. If it is, it isn\'t the only problem Brooks has. All I know is that AB needs to do something different or he will never get the top 5 QB money he wants.

Character matters most...
 

Things that make you go Hmmmmmmm?


All in then same post? Come on BC which is it? :D

Character matters most...
 

dichotomy soup instead of gumbo

Character matters most...
 

JoeSam --

I think my position on Brooks\'s character and maturity have been consistent from the start. And that didn\'t change in the post you got the quote from.

You just left some of it out..

Here\'s what I said:

Character matters most...
 

So, in other words, you\'re saying that when you made this statement, you really had no grounds?

In other words, you really don\'t know if I ever said anything about character and that you can\'t really say whether I criticized you or not, but you thought that you\'d throw it out there anyway that somehow I had totally reversed a position to redeem yourself? Or should I read that some other way? LOL. ;)

Character matters most...
 

WhoDat --

I\'m almost positve you\'ve told me that QBs can\'t succeed without character. I just don\'t feel like going through your last 2000 posts to find it. I could be wrong though.

And even if you didn\'t say it ... I\'m not above trying to make you look bad just for the hell out it .... LMAO!! :P

Character matters most...
 

Glad to see you admit your posts are intended to make others look bad rather than truly talk football or make honest assesssments. It\'s been a long time coming, but you finally admitted it. :) LMAO.