I have always loved football and understand the basics of the game really well. I can thank my parents for that, who, before I was born, used to drive to another city and get a hotel just to watch the Chiefs play. That’s dedication, and was probably great fun for their generation.
We happen to have a great friend from our summer camp days that plays in the NFL as a defensive tackle. Understanding what that means is a whole other topic (reminder: I’m into basics). I didn’t really know, so my son gave me a great illustration to help me get it…
A defensive tackle, he said, is the guy who doesn’t really usually get the credit, but is setting his team up to succeed. He blocks, hopefully leaving an open path for pressure on the quarterback. How cool is that? My immediate thought was that this is the position we should all strive for: helping others to succeed, to win, to get the credit.
I was curious, so I consulted with the internet for some more fun, insightful and technical details…
- The DT is typically the largest and strongest of the defensive players. (Well of course he is… it takes a big person to allow others to take the spotlight while you are a key building block for their success.)
- They may be called to fill several different roles. (Always important. Flexibility to move and accommodate is critical to serving well….)
Have an awesome week! Let’s all go set someone up to succeed this week!