This morning the headline on the front page of the KC Star (the real front page, not the sports section) reads “A Tough Time for Tough Coaches”, and there is an article about two high profile Head Football Coaches who have recently either been fired or resigned under pressure due to allegations of mistreatment of players. A third Coach who was mentioned in the article was fired earlier this morning. It’s a well-written piece by Bill Reiter (aptly named), and Mr. Reiter presents both sides of this story. He quotes former Coaches, sports psychologists, authors and athletes, all with varying takes on this idea of how much is too much when it comes to treatment of athletes.

I heard a caller on a radio show yesterday say that if you substitute the word “man” for “player” in the descriptions of what’s gone on in some of these programs, it makes it sound different. Would anyone be applauded or called tough for screaming and cursing at another man? I doubt it. No doubt that sports, maybe football in particular, are different, but I don’t buy this idea that treating people with dignity and respect is somehow weak or untough.

Most of us have been on the practice field or court many times. As athletes first, then as Coaches. We’ve probably seen things, or maybe said or done things ourselves that compare to some of the acts that have made big news recently. I know I have. But I also know this; the way we treat people reveals what kind of people we are. Said another way, “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). If I say something regrettable with the excuse that it “slipped out”, that’s bogus. Things don’t slip out. Our words and actions show who we really are when we don’t have time to dress them up.

Last thought…I’ve never heard of a Coach getting into trouble for loving his/her athletes, for caring about them too much, or for treating them the way he/she wanted to be treated.