11 Things Quarterbacks Can Teach About Life

Life is a painful, harsh reality that we all must partake in some way or another. Many of us are spat from the womb of our parent's homes without any warning and left to fend for ourselves.

Like many of you on this website, I too have had to face this dark reality down, stare in it's face, and begin to cry like a kindergartner who is being left by their parents for the first time. But fear not, if there is one thing that can help us through this thing we call life, its sports.

Here are ten things that NFL Quarterbacks have taught me about life. Take these lessons seriously and you too can become successful and rich.

Well, maybe not the last part.

Ryan Leaf

If there is one thing Ryan Leaf has always lacked; it is the ability to be humble in public situations. Be it screaming at a reporter who is only doing his job, going to Las Vegas for a weekend before preseason camp, or just being one of the biggest busts in the NFL since "the Boz," Ryan Leaf has never been one to bring home to the Grandparents.

When Bobby Beathard was quoted as saying, "I thought I knew [Leaf]. I didn't have one negative on him. Then after the draft, I saw the [Washington State] trainer, and he said, 'Ryan's a horse's [butt].'" You know we can all learn something from the young man.

As early as you enter the real world you must learn humility. Not everyone will take what you say or do as gospel. You must remember that everyone else may be just as good as you if not better. Ryan Leaf of course did not think this and watched as Peyton Manning ran house on the NFL the first year out of the draft.

Tony Romo-

Yeah, I said it, whatcha gonna do?

Tony Romo made us realize that when you try to show off to your latest crush you will be buried by the opposing team. Jessica Simpson was the downfall of Romo and the many boy band members before him. Romo made the mistake of watching his girlfriend in the stands more often than his receivers.

Women will, in some way, distract you from performing at your best, and for you ladies out there the same goes for you with men. The key is figuring out how to balance work with play and dealing with the bumps in the road as they show up. Yes, having a significant other is fantastic but not the end of the world.

Plus girls are icky anyway, so why bother, if you ask me.

John Elway

Brett Farve, take note, this was the man you were supposed to imitate. When you retired, you should have done it in style; like John Elway.

Elway won back to back Superbowls and retired after his second one. He would then go on to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2004, co-owner of the Colorado Crush Arena Football team, own two restaurants, and forever enshrine himself in my childhood as the guy who could launch the Vortex Football across a football field.

The man left on top and is remembered for being the epitome of classy and awesome.

When you got all the chips on the table, better to cash in to lose on the next hand, Kenny Rogers would agree. Elway did it with class and will be remembered as one of the best QB's in the sport because of it.

Ben Roethlisberger

The summer of 2006 would not be a good one for Ben Roethlisberger; a hit to the cranium at high speeds would leave him hurt and in a hospital bed just as his Championship defending Pittsburgh Steelers were getting ready for another season.

But Roethlisberger did not take this sitting down, most of the time he was laying down recuperating in a bed trying to remember his Social Security Number. After healing up and getting off of the Injured List he came back in 2008 to lead the Steelers to another Superbowl victory and reminded everyone that he was still around.

Being persistent, especially when things don't go as planned, makes you more resilient and hungry for more accomplishment in your life. Yeah, you might get kicked around a bit, but if you stick to it you'll get a great life out of the hard work and dedications.

Also, don't lose your head.

Boomer Esaison

In the 1984 NFL Draft, Boomer Esaison would be drafted to the Cincinnati Bengals and stayed with the team until being traded to the New York Jets in 1993.

After an injury sent him to Arizona in 1996, Boomer would finish his final years with the team that originally started his NFL career in 1997. With his final season in the NFL and with the Bengals, Esaison ended his career with an passer rating of 106, with 13 touchdowns, and only two interceptions.

Of course his later career would have him doing commentary for CBS and many other news outlets, while writing inspirational children books and being an overall nice guy.

Boomer never forgot the team who started his career and they never forgot him either. In his last season, the aging QB still did damage in one of the most unappreciated franchises in the NFL. Even his time with the Jets brought him back to his childhood of West Islip, NY; or at least in rock-throwing distance.

Never forget where you come from because it will pay dividends in the end.

Dan Marino

Dan Marino might have never been on a Superbowl winning squad as a part of the Miami Dolphins, something Don Shula and the '72 Dolphins chuckle about on occasion, but he did kick some serious butt during his career in Miami.

The stats speak for themselves: nine time Pro Bowl selection, NFL MVP for 1984, 1998 Walter Payton Man of the Year, 1984 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, the holder of 31 Miami Dolphins franchise records, and a piviotal part of the first Ace Ventura movie. The man is awe inspiring and one of the best quarterbacks of the 1980s.

Yeah, you might have to work for it, yeah it might not come easy; and hell, you may never get a Superbowl ring, but you could always rack up a pile of records while you try for the big one.

Working hard will be rewarded and will show a lot more than one big success in the long run. Yeah, you can put on your resume that you went to Princeton, but if you didn't do anything it's really not worth it in the long run. Bradshaw might have the rings, but at least Marino holds the record for most touchdown passes in a single game.

Terry Bradshaw

This isn't a life lesson as much as it's a message to Mr. Bradshaw.

Rogaine.

Really, I got nothing.

Nothing against the man, he pulls off the bald look well, but not everyone will. Rogaine or hair implants are always a great way to get real, genuine, hair back on the top of your scalp.

Joe Montana

Sometimes life will throw you a curve ball, punch you in the face, or tell you that "they've been seeing someone else." Don't let it get to you, just take a deep breath and take a cue from Cool Joe.

The man who led the San Francisico 49'ers to 31 comeback victories has always stayed cool under pressure, to say the least. The man has learned much from his time in Cali—lay back, throw the ball and the receiver will get it, no worries.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When life gives you potatoes, make vodka and now you can make lemonade flavored vodka, and Mikes Hard lemonade. It's as easy as that, and really who doesn't like lemonade?

Micheal Vick

Sometime along the long road of life someone will ask you to do something that is illegal and immoral to the rest of the world but, "is a really fun time," and everyone else, "is just jealous we found a way to do it." This person will go onto to tell you that you should join in on their "way safe activity" and "no one will ever know."

Most people will find out that the person wants to, say, snort coke off a stripper or, hypothetically, get you involved in a dog fighting ring. Respond with a courteous "no" or, "no thank you kind gentlemen I prefer my dogs at my lap near the fire not, and I can't stress this enough, not fighting for their lives in a ring."

Micheal Vick is a perfect example of what not to do with money and cute animals, because if there is one thing people hate, it's when rich people spend money on killing innocent animals.

But hey, it's just a suggestion.

Kurt Warner

You might have some great abilities inside you and you want to show them to the rest of the world, but can't because of money restraints, family issues, or a prescription drug problem. Just remember your goal and figure out a way to get to it by any means possible.

Let us look at Kurt Warner, the man started out his professional football career while stocking shelves at a grocery store, while playing in the Arena Football League. During the day he would play with the team and then at night stock shelves to keep the heat on in the house.

Finally, Warner was traded to the Rams and lead the team to a Superbowl victory against the Tennessee Titans. In the next few years he would be moved around the league, until finally landing in Arizona with the Cardinals. Fighting for the starting position, Warner helped lead the team to a winning season, their first NFC West title and their first Superbowl appearance.

Even with a loss in the big game, Warner has lived a lot of life and has worked his way to the top.

Life is not about the early successes, that time might be short lived, its about the long haul and keeping your eye on the prize. Let the naysayers say what they like, but when you accomplish your goals you'll be the one smiling at the finish line.

Check out Sean's NCAA Football corner at http://www.sportinformant.com

Check out Sean's lifestyle blog, Single/White/Geek: http://siwhgk.wordpress.com/