NFL Evolution will feature a guest columnist every Tuesday, each with a different viewpoint of player health and safety from the youth level to pro football.
By Keith Elias, NFL Evolution columnist
Recently, I heard a lecture by Dr. Tim Elmore entitled, "Engaging the Generation of Paradox." He pointed out the paradox of a generation that is extremely connected, meaning they have the appearance of intense social contact, yet are often isolated and alone.
Of course, this social contact most often takes place across devices and within social media platforms. Yet, many times these facsimiles of human contact just exacerbate feelings of isolation. In fact, when speaking with youth, they tell me that sometimes they are surrounded by many friends and classmates, yet still feel alone.
It seems we live in a world that provides the illusion of community but still leaves us craving real, authentic human relationships.
This is a powerful dynamic on its own, but when coupled with our society's propensity to cater to the individual, one can see how much time, effort, and energy is poured into self.
Increasingly, America is beset by the "Me Monster" we helped to create. We have access to external stimuli 24/7 at our command. Entertainment caters to us, and we even get to choose how TV shows end.
I do believe that everyone is special and everyone deserves a voice, but it seems that everyone shouts so loudly to be heard that no one hears anyone at all. Life becomes all about Me. These are My photos from My trip. This is how I feel right at this moment. This is My opinion. These are My thoughts. What about My dreams, My hopes, My plans? How dare you do that to Me. It's all about Me, Me, Me. None of us is immune. Not even Me.
What is the answer for a world that increasingly fosters the elevation of self? What hope do we have to slay the Me Monster growing in youth today? As with most things, the answer lies within the family. It is in the family that one learns community and responsibility to a whole that is more important than the individual.
Next to the family it is in team sports, specifically football, where youth grab ahold of the principle and importance of unity and sacrifice of self, for the betterment and service of the whole. The idea of you watch my back and I watch yours is fostered in the team environment.
Why do I say specifically football? Because I believe football is the consummate team game. Individuals may shine, but the ultimate goal in football is to become a team. The consequence of that is, you guessed it, winning.
Let me say that again. The goal of a football team is not to win. Winning is the consequence of the true goal, becoming a team. To become a team one must build real, authentic, and passionate relationships with other human beings, and not just avatars on a screen. There will be conflict. Feelings will get hurt, and there will be defeat.
But values such as hard work, discipline, and my two favorites, accountability and responsibility will be learned as well. How important are these values? "Responsibility to Team" is No. 3 on the list of the NFL's official mission and values statement. Respect, Integrity, and Resiliency are the others.
How can we build team in the offseason? There are no practices nor games. I had an amazing high school football coach who taught that championships aren't won during the season. They're won in the weight-room and on the track in the offseason.
If you're a youth who happens to be reading this or a parent, the best thing to build team is spend time together. Yes, it would be great if that time is spent training, but the truth is, some of the best, most meaningful time is spent in play. Go outside, run around, play pick-up, build a fort, shovel snow, mow the lawn, go swimming, volunteer or whatever else you can imagine, just do it together.
At my church we have a saying: You have to belong before you believe. Essentially, this means people don't care about what you know until they know you care. Youth today, people today, are desperate for relationships, desperate to belong, and this is found in a team. Football teams in particular.
Keith Elias is a former NFL running back with the New York Giants and the Indianapolis Colts. He now works as a motivational speaker and as an ambassador for the Heads Up Football program.
