Character matters most...

JOESAM2002 · 02-20-2005, 09:35 AM

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

GumboBC · 02-20-2005, 11:15 AM

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.

WhoDat · 02-20-2005, 11:29 AM

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

Saint_LB · 02-20-2005, 12:09 PM

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.

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.

WhoDat · 02-20-2005, 12:19 PM

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.

GumboBC · 02-20-2005, 12:35 PM

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.

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....

Saint_LB · 02-20-2005, 12:49 PM

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

JKool · 02-20-2005, 01:39 PM

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.

Saint_LB · 02-20-2005, 01:53 PM

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

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

JKool · 02-20-2005, 02:13 PM

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?

02-20-2005, 09:35 AM	#1
JOESAM2002 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CRYSTAL BEACH TEXAS Posts: 4,100	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

02-20-2005, 11:15 AM	#2
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616	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.
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616

02-20-2005, 11:29 AM	#3
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	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
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631

02-20-2005, 12:09 PM	#4
Saint_LB Deuce Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 2,894	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. 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.
Saint_LB Deuce Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 2,894	Whether you think you can or think you can't...you're right!

02-20-2005, 12:19 PM	#5
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631	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.
WhoDat 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 5,631

Latest Blogs
2023 New Orleans Saints: Training Camp Last Blog: 08-01-2023 By: MarchingOn Puck the Fro Browl! Last Blog: 02-05-2023 By: neugey CFP: "Just Keep Doing What You're Doing" Last Blog: 12-08-2022 By: neugey

02-20-2005, 12:35 PM	#6
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616	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. 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....
GumboBC Banned Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,616

02-20-2005, 12:49 PM	#7
Saint_LB Deuce Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 2,894	Character matters most... Were you seeking a civil conversation when you started your \"Offseason\" thread yesterday.
Saint_LB Deuce Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 2,894

02-20-2005, 01:39 PM	#8
JKool 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,423	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.
	"... I was beating them with my eyes the whole game..." - Aaron Brooks

02-20-2005, 01:53 PM	#9
Saint_LB Deuce Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 2,894	Character matters most... Are there other things a guy would need? That is an interesting question to me. How about being a role-model for younger fans...do you consider that important, or is that only for old farts like me?
Saint_LB Deuce Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 2,894

02-20-2005, 02:13 PM	#10
JKool 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,423	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?
	"... I was beating them with my eyes the whole game..." - Aaron Brooks