John Madden's NFL Trades turned to Treasures

Some folks see the glass half-empty, but let's try to see a glass half-full.  John Madden's retirement is the beginning of a new era, not the end of a past filled with accolades and successes. 

The things Madden did must count as input and impartation into the lives of men and women, for it is "the giving" to others that makes our lives richer, and growing older, sweeter. 

For example, there are those who believe the Raiders and other teams have a few troubled players.  You have volition so you can believe what you want, but you can not deny the fact that those Raiders were a strong team under Madden's coaching style.  Men who may have had on stripes instead had on black and silver, worked as a cohesive team and won games, especially in 1969 and beyond. 

It may be more rewarding to coach changes in those who are labeled and stamped as troubled. Contributing to their transformation into winners in a game that is somewhat of a simulation of life is a rewarding experience.  You get knocked down, but you get up.  You catch hold of a dream and you run with it to the endzone of your destiny. 

Now let's look at a half-full glass and invert what was perceived as negative into a positive.  Here is a quote:

• The son of an auto mechanic, Madden was born in Minnesota and grew up in Northern California. It was not a plush upbringing: A multi-sport athlete, Madden remembers taping together broken bats from a local semi-pro baseball team to use for batting practice; one of his first jobs was as a caddy. Recruited to play football at the University of Oregon, he transferred out after his first year and eventually ended up at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1958, Madden suffered a career-ending knee injury during training camp.

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1891836,00.html

The Lesson

John Madden took what was broken and made it into a tool for training.  Madden did not grow up in a plush upbringing but he worked hard, played hard and loved the game of football so much that he rides in a plush bus across the United States.  The research says his career ended as a pro football player, but let's look at it as "his career began as a great coach." 

As a two year college instructor, some of my students are from very humble and sometimes troubled lifestyles.  In some people's minds, they are perceived as "losers" but with good coaching and support many have become "treasures."  On April 17, 2009 at the Center for Hope in Houston, Texas several of these students gave their testimonies of new lives, new hopes and new beginnings. 

For example, this B/R scribe taught Mr. M. Orozco in 2002 and he said, in summary, "You made me realize that I have to do my own work...you coached me, but I had to carry out the plays (in mathematics)." Orozco now has an Associate degree in 2002; a Bachelor's degree in 2005; and a Master's degree in 2006.  He was coached. Life threw "a football of opportunity" his way. He caught it.  He ran to get his touchdowns.

I thought of the Oakland Raiders.  Since 1970 I have quietly observed them.  The good that is evident is that Al Davis and John Madden invested in guys who had great talent, and they performed their duties and were transformed, and, therefore, the team became transformed.  Just look at the statistics during Madden's career with the Raiders and you see that something very special was happening.

Thus, men who were traded to the Raiders became treasures in football history.  Men who may have been considered trash by those who are judgemental are, nevertheless, treasures in NFL history. 

What is the conclusion of the story?  John Madden has made the difference in many players' lives—many have become historical treasures because of his coaching style.