“Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.”

You’ve heard that before, right? This quote, often attributed to Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame head coach Vince Lombardi, is said to have actually originated with Henry Russell “Red” Sanders, who coached UCLA football during a run of dominance in the 1950s, including the 1954 national championship.

It’s a common mindset in sports. Those who want to win above all else, so the thinking goes, possess the heart of “a true competitor” … “a real champion.”

Consider these thoughts on winning from other well-known sports figures:

●       “Winning takes precedence over all. There’s no gray area. No almosts.” –Kobe Bryant

●       “Winning solves everything.” –Tiger Woods

●       “The person that said, ‘Winning isn’t everything’ never won anything.” –Mia Hamm

●       “I’m a mad dog whose only concern is winning.” –Charles Barkley

Clearly, winning is the ultimate goal for many who coach and play sports—and it has been for some time. And let’s be honest: Winning is important—for job security, if nothing else! Today’s sub-.500 coach is tomorrow’s employment applicant.

Yet from a biblical perspective, winning indeed isn’t everything, and it’s not the only thing. In fact, it’s relatively insignificant. The Bible never measures success by human standards.

So why do you coach? What’s your “why”?

Read the rest of the article to learn the deeper motivations of coaching.
 

-FCA-

Photo courtesy of YK Photography