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Tag: football

  • 3 Things Oklahoma is Famous For

    3 Things Oklahoma is Famous For

    Being in Michigan and mostly traveling along the East Coast, I do not know much about “the great plain states’, especially Oklahoma. The only thing I think of is the musical; “Oklahoma.” My mother and grandmother were huge musical fans who played those albums often and, of course, knew all the words.

    “Oklahoma!” is one of the most iconic and beloved American musicals of all time, written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote it, and first premiered on Broadway in 1943. Set in the Oklahoma Territory in the early 1900s, the show tells the story of a love triangle between a cowboy named Curly, a farmhand named Jud, and a farm girl named Laurey.

    Featuring a blend of drama, comedy, and romance, Oklahoma is known for its catchy songs and lively dances. Some of the most famous songs from the show include “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,” “The Surrey with the Fringe on Top,” and the show-stopping title song, “Oklahoma!”.

    Besides the musical, when I think of tornados, I think of Oklahoma. While it truly is an unfortunate trait to be famous for, it still stands. Kansas and Oklahoma ranked first and second, respectively, in the number of tornadoes per area, with Tornado Alley running straight through Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

    The three top things Oklahoma is famous for are:

    1. American football
    2. Oil production
    3. Agriculture

    Football, seriously? As a proud alumnus of The University of Michigan, where I witnessed the incredible achievement of the Wolverines winning the 2024 NCAA Football Championship, I had always assumed that football originated in the Eastern or Midwestern states.

    However, according to Oklahoma History, “The sport of football, which developed in the Ivy League colleges of the northeast, was still evolving as young men in Indian and Oklahoma territories adopted the game. In the early twentieth century most Oklahoma colleges that could find enough willing students fielded a team. Even before the rise of the OU football powerhouse after World War II, Oklahoma had contributed to the game of football. The young state produced Jim Thorpe, who was a two-time All-American at Carlisle and was elected as the first president of the National Football League.”

    Oklahoma’s fame in the realm of American football cannot be understated. The state’s passion for the sport is deeply ingrained in its culture, and its teams have achieved incredible success at various levels.

    One of the main reasons behind Oklahoma’s prominence in football is the historic success of its college teams, particularly the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The Sooners, with their crimson and cream colors, have a storied football program that has consistently been ranked among the nation’s top teams. They have won numerous national championships and have produced legendary coaches and players alike (so have Michigan college teams).

    History of Oklahoma football timeline

    The program began in 1895 and is one of the most successful in history, having won 944 games and possessing a .725 winning percentage, both sixth all-time.

    The University of Oklahoma’s football program has been led by renowned coaches such as Bud Wilkinson and Barry Switzer, who have both achieved remarkable winning records and national titles. Michigan has had Bo Schembechler, Jim Harbough, and Fielding H. Yost. These esteemed individuals have left a lasting legacy in the football world and have significantly contributed to Michigan’s prominence in the sport.

    Back to Oklahoma…The team has also produced iconic players like Steve Owens, Billy Sims, and Adrian Peterson, who have left indelible marks on the sport. (Billy Sims went on to be a Detroit Lion)

    Similarly, the Oklahoma State Cowboys have had their share of success. Under coaches such as Pat Jones and Mike Gundy, the Cowboys have become a perennial contender in the Big 12 Conference. Notably, their success has been bolstered by the presence of star talents like Thurman Thomas, Barry Sanders, and Dez Bryant.

    Okay, now I can officially take Oklahoma’s football notoriety seriously. All you had to say was Barry Sanders. Arguably one of the best running backs of all time, who played ten seasons with the Detroit Lions (1989–98), leading the National Football League (NFL) in rushing four times and was selected every year for the Pro Bowl.

    And Sanders also went on to retire from Detroit and was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Detroit Lion. Recently, during a string of wins for the Lions, you could see Barry Sanders on the sideline, rooting his Detroit team on to greatness. Next year – keep coming back Barry!

    But I digress; we’re talking about Oklahoma, not Michigan.

    How many OU players have won the Heisman?

    The Heisman Memorial Trophy (/ˈhaɪzmɪn/ HYZE-min; usually known colloquially as the Heisman Trophy or The Heisman) is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. – Wikipedia

    Since Heisman’s creation in 1935, seven Sooners have won the award. OU tied with Ohio State, Notre Dame, and USC for the most Heisman winners in the nation.

    • Kyler Murray, 2018 drafted by Arizona Cardinals
    • Baker Mayfield, 2017, drafted by the Cleveland Browns
    • Sam Bradford, 2008, drafted by the St. Louis Rams
    • Jason White, 2003 N/A (Did not make it to the NFL)
    • Billy Sims, 1978, drafted by Detroit Lions
    • Steve Owens, 1969, drafted by Detroit Lions
    • Billy Vessels, 1952, drafted by Baltimore Colts

    While winning the Heisman Trophy does not come with a cash prize, it does significantly increase a player’s chances of signing a professional contract. The trophy itself does not hold any monetary value, but the recognition and prestige that come with it can open doors for financial opportunities.

    For example, although Jason White left Oklahoma as its all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns due to his long history of injuries, he wasn’t drafted by the NFL and retired from the sport in 2005.

    3 things Oklahoma is famous for

    In conclusion, Oklahoma is famous for several notable aspects, including its significant contribution to American football, producing legendary players who have not only excelled on the college field but also made a mark in the NFL.

    Additionally, the state’s association with tornadoes and its position in Tornado Alley has garnered attention globally. Lastly, Oklahoma’s rich oil production and thriving agricultural industry have played a crucial role in the state’s economy and reputation.

  • Character Education in Athletes

    Character Education in Athletes

    Oftentimes, I find myself sharing stories with my sons about how I learned so much more than how to play a sport well when I was a student-athlete. We have learned through countless studies that demonstrate how vital teamwork is as an essential life skill.

    Furthermore, I share that throughout my education, I learned way more than in the books we studied. All along, those teachers and coaches helped me to build my character, who I would become, and who I would bring to life’s table beyond school and beyond the ballfield.

    However, I learned many lessons on the ballfield, especially when I had those incredibly fantastic coaches. Those coaches had key qualities that set them apart from all the others. Coaching qualities such as:

    • Positive attitude about growth in their athletes as well as in themselves
    • Enthusiastic to share their gifts in leadership
    • Supportive when their players need it most
    • Trusting in themselves and in their athletes to implement what they’ve learned in practice
    • Focused on the growth in their student’s character, not just on winning
    • Goal-oriented with their own skills and in facilitating goal-based activities for their players
    • Knowledgeable in all aspects of their sport, about their athletes, their school’s mission, other teams, and their community’s social environment
    • Observant in all aspects of their sport
    • Respectful to their players, other coaches, parents, teachers, people in their community
    • Patient with each player’s abilities as they strive to be better athletes and students
    • Clear communicators! Period.

    Through sports, students learn about respect, fair play, and sportsmanship. All of these are essential for social integration and emotional growth, pointing towards character education.

    Character education is the process of learning common attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors essential for people to have as responsible citizens. Parents, teachers, coaches, and faith-based communities can help youth develop their character positively.

    In an article titled “Character Education…Our Shared Responsibility,” the U.S. Department of Education discusses that throughout history, character education has been the shared responsibility of parents, teachers, and members of the community, who come together to support positive character development.

    It went on to state, “The United States Congress and the Department of Education have expanded support for character education for more than a decade, enabling schools across our nation to implement character education in a variety of ways. The Department of Education provides grants to state and local education agencies to support the development of character education. Since 1995, through the Partnerships in Character Education Program, the Department has awarded 97 grants to assist in designing, implementing and sustaining high-quality opportunities for students to learn and understand the importance of strong character in their lives”.

    The InSideOut Initiative (ISOI) is a catalytic, systems-level intervention designed to equip school communities in redefining and reframing the educational value of athletics and promote the social, emotional, and character development of students participating in athletics. 

    ISOI provides a blueprint for systemic change by helping people understand the purpose of sports in children’s lives, aligning and educating communities around this purpose, and holding all involved accountable.

    With the support of the National Football League NFL Foundation, the InSideOut Initiative is creating a national movement to transform interscholastic athletics.

    What is character development in sports?

    Some character traits such as grit, resilience, and self-discipline are what researchers call “willing values,” the mental, emotional, and behavioral attributes that drive performance in an achievement activity like sports or in a performance-based endeavor such as music.

    For example, in middle school, I was in the concert band for three years and definitely had the drive to excel and to be the best percussionist I could be. Tests every couple of weeks assessed our skills, growth, and abilities. These tests determined which “chair” you were. The first chair was what we all were striving for. Because of the effort, time practicing and learning, and my drive to succeed, I earned the first chair spot on many occasions.

    As far as grit goes in sports, the Detroit Lions football team is a phenomenal example. The coach, the players, and the fans are all known for their relentless determination and never-give-up attitude. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks, this year’s Detroit Lions, under the leadership of their coach, have instilled a culture of resilience and grit within the team.

    Their unwavering perseverance and commitment to improving has propelled them to achieve remarkable success on the field, making them a force to be reckoned with in the league.

    The entire organization, from the coaching staff to the players, exemplifies the essence of character development in sports, proving that a strong mindset and determined work ethic can lead to significant accomplishments.

    Most losses in nfl history

    The Detroit Lions went from the “losingest” team in the NFL to division champs and, currently, as of this writing, are one game away from competing in Super Bowl LVIII.

    Here’s a look at the ten worst teams in NFL history to date:

    1. 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    2. 1990 New England Patriots
    3. 2008 Detroit Lions
    4. 1944 Chicago Cardinals/Pittsburgh Steelers
    5. 2009 St. Louis Rams
    6. 1991 Indianapolis Colts
    7. 2017 Cleveland Browns
    8. 1966 New York Giants
    9. 1986 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    10. 1973 Houston Oilers

    Ouch, the Lions are number three – worse than I thought! Must admit, I gave up on them back in the early nineties because when they had Hall of Famer running back, Barry Sanders they couldn’t even make it into the playoffs – let alone allow Sanders to win the coveted Superbowl ring. I digress. But guess who’s back on the Lions train, drinking the Kool-Aid? Yep, you guessed it – me.

    The Lions team has accomplished recent success because Coach Dan Campbell coaches his team to be better humans on and off the field. According to his bio on the Official Lions’ website, “In his first year as the Lions’ head coach, Campbell helped instill a new culture built on grit, conviction and collaboration on and off the field. Upon arrival, Campbell assembled a proven coaching staff comprised of several former NFL players that have brought a wealth of knowledge and passion to Detroit’s roster. “

    Character education in athletes

    Character education in athletes is crucial for their personal growth, as well as their success in sports and life. Coaches and educators play a vital role in instilling values such as respect, teamwork, and resilience. By focusing on character development, athletes become better players and individuals who contribute positively to their communities.

    And…GO LIONS!