Panthers motivational speech

Hey LHarris, remember this guy?:


Getting motivated

Panthers get early inspiration after former Colts player delivers speech

CHARLES CHANDLER
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SPARTANBURG - The Carolina Panthers began their pursuit of an NFL championship with a message about what it really means to be a man.

Panthers players and coach John Fox talked Sunday about the stirring speech delivered in the first team meeting of training camp Friday night by former Baltimore Colts lineman Joe Ehrmann.

"You couldn't sit in that room and not take something away from it," said Fox.

Ehrmann told the players and coaches that societal stereotypes send a false message about masculinity.

"It's not tied to athletic ability or women or economic success," Ehrmann said, recounting his speech. "But to be a real man is all about learning how to have relationships, to love and be loved. And you should have some kind of cause or purpose that's bigger than your own individual goals, wants and desires."

Safety Mike Minter, who has been with the Panthers 10 years, said Ehrmann's speech was probably the best he's heard delivered to the team by an outsider.

"He said he's been beside a lot of people on their death bed, and those are the two things they talk about -- relationships and why they were put on this earth, and did they fulfill their purpose," said Minter. "It was strong."

In the Panthers, Ehrmann had an audience of prominent young athletes who could easily get caught in the trap of big fame and big money.

"I think it really hit home with a lot of guys," said fullback Brad Hoover. "You always try to bring a rah-rah guy in here, but I think he hit reality with us."

Said wide receiver Keary Colbert: "It was one of those talks where he grabbed everybody's attention."

Rookie running back DeAngelo Williams, the Panthers' first-round draft pick, said Ehrmann's message changed how he views his pro career.

"He talked about `this is a part of your life, but this is not your life,' " said Williams, adding it made him think about what will matter most at the end of his life, not just now.

Ehrmann, now a high school coach and ordained pastor, has credibility with an NFL audience because he spent 10 years in the league, eight with the Colts (1973-80) and two with the Lions (1981-82). He was the 10th overall pick in the '73 draft and played in the '75 Pro Bowl.

Fox approved inviting him to give the camp-opening speech after reading the best-selling book about Ehrmann, "Season of Life" by Pulitzer Prize winning author Jeffrey Marks.

"It was a very moving book," said Fox, who wanted his team to hear the message.

"Training camp is a good time because you're trying to build that family," Fox said.

Ehrmann, a former defensive lineman, takes the message all over the country (www.buildmen.org) and said it's especially suited to a pro sports team.

"The reality is that team sports is about two things -- relationships and learning how to submit to the greater cause, values and goals of the team," said Ehrmann, who also spoke at the team's chapel service Sunday.

Parade magazine did an article on him in 2004, calling him the most important coach in America. His high school team has been ultra-successful. Its trademark: The coaches and players openly profess each year that their job is to love one another.

Ehrmann encouraged the Panthers to develop loving relationships with each other and said he was deeply impressed by the two days he spent with the team many experts are picking to win the Super Bowl.

"This seems like a very special place, a very special organization and group of people," he said.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/football/nfl/carolina_panthers/15161533.htm

 

. . . he's seen it all

Joe Ehrmann is one of the most compelling figures you will ever see, in or out of an athletic uniform. His messages around the Baltimore area have resonated with enthusiasm which reaches the most cynical audience -- namely me, who used to play racquetball with him. Joe will be the first to tell you what a hell-raiser he was in his early days in the league -- and you only have to hear him once to realize what a calling he now has. He is the prototypical gentle giant, but one who reaches far beyond himself to deliver his message. Christian folk do not compare anyone with Billy Graham, but if you are of that inclination and have a chance to listen to or read about Joe Ehrmann, don't miss him. In one of the first Eddie Block Courage Award banquets, nearly 30 years ago, Joe was the prime honoree and we rigged a telephone hookup -- not so easy in those days -- to his 19-year-old brother, who was on his deathbed w/leukemia at Johns Hopkins. I leave it to your imagination as to that scene....it defied description.

 

I'm a little surprised but glad and impressed that Fox chose him as the speaker.