Black In Business

In America where almost every thing revolves around race, the race for a super bowl will involve for the first time 2 black coaches. Football has evolved into America most popular sport and is a mega business. I watched the Bears vs Saints with my son and my neighbor. I mentioned to Chuck, the Bears get no respect, there is something about this team America hates. He said, we have a black coach. It hit me then, the truth, I wonder for whom the racists will support since there are 2 black coaches in the superbowl.

5 years ago, the NFL was sued for not providing black coaches an opportunity to interview. That’s right, a sport where a high percentage of the players , ground crew members, beer salesman, concession stands workers janitors, parking attendants,etc are black, there were 3,  head coaches. Dennis Green, Tony Dungy, and Herb Edwards. This season there were 7, 2 have already been fired. Now 2 of our super coaches are black. This is a big deal. How dose this relate to blackinbusiness, what can we learn.

 Some history, The Colts are back in the super bowl for the first time in 36 years, when they were the Baltimore Colts. They snuck out of Baltimore in the middle of the night in a May Flower movin van for a rich deal from Indianapolis. The people of Baltimore loved their Colts and were one of the riches football traditions in the NFL. Since Indianpolis stole Baltimore’s beloved Colts, that for me is reason enough to bear down Chicago Bears.

The da Bears, represent one of the founding francises of the NFL.Their first owner  has the NFL’s championship trophy named in his honor, the George S. Halas Trophy. Just think of the emotion, current Bear owner, his 83 year old daughter felt when she accepted the trophy on behalf of the Bears.Da Bears last won the super bowl in the 1985,86 season with one of the best NFL teams ever. Now back to the coaches and what we in business can learn.

Hard work pays. Both of these men are Football lifers and have made many stops in there career. They are goal oriented and filled with determination to be the best. Have you ever been best at something, no matter  how large or small, exhibiting the desire to be best and the courage to never give up , will take you there.

Stick together. I have noticed the NFL black coaches take pride for their race and in each other. They know what their opportunities represent in a historicial perspective. Both Coaches manage to have tremendous pride in the race with out turning off white folks. Both coaches recieved help from other black coaches and  Tony Dungy has in turn has helped black coaches.

Lead with dignity. Coaches Smith and Dungey are known to be 2 of the nicest men in the NFL. Other coaches are known to be moody and gruff. These men exhibit a quiet confidence that is seldom seen in white leaders. We know what it is like to be disrespected and treated poorly. These men treat their teams with respect.

Have thick skin. As a black in business you will be on the hot seat and others will be very critical of everything you do. Coach Smith performed well last year and took his team to the playoffs. He is the lowest paid coach in the NFL  and when he expected consideration for a contract extention, he was told, lets see how this year goes. The Bears have done poorly since Coach Dika was fired in the early 90’s. The fans  and media wanted to decided his quarterback for him. Talk shows said he should be fired for not changing QB’s. The media and fan bases also called for his head if he did not win a play off game. In the end this football lifer knew his business better than the media or fans.

Show Loyality. Both coaches have tremendous loyality for their teams and support their players. In Chicago, Rex Grossman and Tank Johnson came under fire from all sides but in the end the head coach did not  back down in his support.

 Yesterday, Bears, 39 Saints 14, Colts 38 Patriots 34, my prediction for Super Bowl XLI;

Bears 38 Colts 24 time will tell