A Coaches Consolation

Sanders consoling Hagler

Competition comes with high emotion especially if you have an aggressive disposition. That drive and desire to win can come with disappointment and tears when the outcome does not end in victory. In a team situation you are always sad over a loss but in some ways that can be absorbed and shared since it takes a team to win and it takes a team to lose. However, that is not always clear cut especially when a game winning situation hangs in the balance and one specific player either comes through or fails to. Do the former and you are the hero likely carried off the field on your fellow teammates shoulders. Do the latter and the loss feels like its all on you.

That was the situation with Hayden Hagler, who dropped a touchdown pass in overtime. If he caught it, the win was theirs and he was the hero of the story. But he could not secure the ball and keep possession so the heartbreaking opposite occurred and Hayden was emotionally devastated.  Even good coaches can struggle to be uplifting and encouraging in times like that because they too, could see it as the player's fault and be equally upset that they did not deliver the expected results. The temptation can be to let the disappointment take root and perhaps teach its bitter lesson so as to not be repeated in future situations.

But this particular athlete has Deion Sanders as his coach. Former Dallas Cowboy and NFL legend turned coach, took the time to get down on Mr. Hagler's level and encourage him instead of berating him or making the sting of his mistake resonate. Though Hayden attempts to apologize to Sanders, knowing he blew a good opportunity, Deion quickly says, "Sorry for what? You've done good stuff all year baby. You fought through adversity and everything. That [today's loss] ain't on you, that's on us." He goes on to remind the young man that its a team effort even though one play can be important. If the team had performed better overall, there would not have been a need to go into overtime or rely so heavily on him catching a game-winner. Kudos to Deion for the level headed perspective and ability to set aside his own disappointment to come alongside his player and lift him up.