POST-SPRING THOUGHTS FROM NICK SABAN

(AP Photo by April L. Brown)

Some great thoughts here from Nick Saban as the Crimson Tide wrapped up spring football:

“I think the challenge for our team is that if you want to continue to have success on a consistent basis, then everybody’s got to buy into the process of the system of what we do. You can’t start questioning it. You got to buy into it and you got to believe in it. Everybody’s got to be a team guy. Everybody’s got to check their ego at the door. There can’t be any of that ‘what about me stuff’ going on. Everything’s got to start with ‘I got to be the best player that I can be for the team.’ Everybody’s got to ask themselves ‘I am ____.’ I am what? … because everybody’s got to have a common belief in the things that have made us a good program here. I’m talking about things like toughness, hard work, giving effort, finishing, finishing plays, finishing games, the vision of the standard that we have for the relentless and competitive teams that we’ve had in the past.”

RUSSELL WILSON

Photo:  Kevin Casey/Getty Images

Great stuff here from Seattle Seahawks QB Russell Wilson:

“The biggest thing is what you do every day. When you wake up, is it always turned on, or do you have to figure it out? For me, I’m such a self-motivator that every time I wake up, every time that I drive to the facility, it’s already on and never really shuts off for me. And being a quarterback, the other ten guys in the huddle, how can I make them better? And being selfless. You have to have that sacrifice at the end of the day. Some things you sometimes may not want to do, but you have to do them to be prepared and when you’re prepared, you’re never nervous. That’s the big thing about tonight (Final Four).”

The link can be found here

RGIII

Check out these motivational comments from Washington Redskins DB Ryan Clark on Robert Griffin III (RGIII)...

"We hung up the phone and it was so funny. Like two minutes later, he was like, 'Alright, let's go to work.' I think that's the type of guy he is. He's about work. Seeing him in the building these two days, he's the first guy in there. When I'm leaving, he's still in there stretching or doing more work. He's the guy leading the sprints today when we were running. He's a guy people will follow because of the way he works. It's not about all the outside stuff. He created a logo. So what. It just gives people things to talk about."

The link can be found here

STEPHEN CURRY--SUCCESS IS NOT AN ACCIDENT

Check out this video about Stephen Curry and what it has taken him to achieve a great level of success, narrated mostly by basketball guru and trainer Alan Stein.  Well worth the few minutes to watch and listen...

TOM IZZO ON TOUGHNESS

AP File Photo

These words about toughness from Tom Izzo were part of an emotional speech that he gave at a vigil, following the passing of Lacey Holsworth:

“Her parents told me tonight she was smiling when she died,” he said. “I’m not sure I would be that tough. I’m not sure my players would. And I’m not sure you would. So if you can take something from a bad situation and make it good — when you’re struggling, finals coming up, tough times, something going wrong at home — think how lucky you are to have what you have.

“And learn from her that you don’t have to be the biggest, the strongest to be tough. You just got to have a mentality. And mentality has no size. I know they want me to tell you to try not to shed a lot of tears over it because she got to live her last month like no people in America. And we were all part of that.”

The link to the speech from Izzo can be found here

KOBE BRYANT

Kobe Bryant's career in basketball has been spectacular.  Fans will always remember his clutch shots, highlight-reel dunks, fadeaway jumpers, and the championships.  What people don't see is the behind-the-scenes incredible work ethic of this future Hall of Famer.  To gain an insight through a story about Kobe's work ethic, check out this story from a professional trainer who worked with Kobe, linked here

LACEY HOLSWORTH

Photo:  Brian Spurlock/USA Today

The deeply sad news of the passing of Lacey Holsworth has impacted people across the country.  To read more about this courageous girl and her story and to view videos from ESPN, click on the link here

THE GIFT OF LIFE

Check out this story and video about how, after a tragic death, one person has saved many lives through being an organ donor.  This organ donor is a former football player that I (Coach Kopp) had the privilege and honor of coaching at Forest City High School.  This young man's name was Jesse Jorgensen, and he was not only an outstanding football player, but he was a special individual that I will always remember.  His life was tragically cut short at a young age, but he has saved many lives through his willingness to be an organ donor.  The link to the story can be found here