Gutless Indianapolis Colts coaching staff means they will not go down in history

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

Thomas Edison

The Indianapolis Colts had a chance at destiny, to become an unbeaten team and maybe to win a Super Bowl.  They had an opportunity to become one of the greatest teams in NFL history. But the leadership and coaching staff chose to quit, to self-destruct and to ultimately fail. The coaches chose to sit their best players, the result a loss to the New York Jets.

The executives and coaches actively chose not to become un-beaten. They chose not to go down in history with their honor and integrity intact. Instead, they chose to play it safe, quit and rest their star players.  In doing so they left their courage, honor and thus their chance at destiny back in the locker room.

Some will say that their conduct was smart football by savvy executives. Some will say the coaches were protecting their All-Pro quarterback from injury. Some will say they were resting for the playoffs. I say, hogwash!!!

Leadership is being out front showing the way. It is to motivate and inspire people to achieve goals that mere mortals fear. It is accomplishing impossible tasks and beating unbeatable foes.  Leadership is having what it takes to attack your one chance at destiny with courage, valor and integrity. It is not celebrating, taking a break or drinking a cappuccino because you are almost perfect.

What the executives at the Indianapolis Colts demonstrated was “management” at it’s very worse.  What happened was certainly not an example of effective or meaningful leadership.  Can you imagine the Colt managers telling Vince Lombardi, or Don Shula to rest players on their way to a championship, or perhaps, a perfect season?

Imagine the carnage left behind after they had made that kind of suggestions to Lombardi or Shula.  The executive offices would have been littered with the bodies of the attorneys, accountants, managers, administrators, and facilitators that dared to make that suggestion.

Yes, maybe time will tell that the decision by the Colts was smart football.  But, in the meantime the Colts may become just one of many teams to win the Super Bowl.  They will not be special, they will not be the greatest. They may just be another team in a long line of forgotten champions.

One shot at destiny destroyed from within, by the very organization and people that simply do not understand the leadership, courage, and tenacity required to be the best of all time.

Oh, a special note to Colt managers and coaches. I’m on my way to Starbuck’s for a skim, half-caff, vanilla latte.  Bring your latest management book and let’s have a swell discussion on administering and facilitating people, committees and the decision making process. Bring a sweater or a light jacket; sometimes it gets chilly down here in south Florida.

Your comments are welcomed.

John Morgan, PhD