Training Camp: What the Best Do Better Than Everyone Else

Chapter 9. The Playbook

"I'll have to get me one of those sometime," Martin said.

"You'll love 'em," Coach Ken responded. "The Training Camp chefs have certainly perfected them over the years. Took a while but they got it right."

"So how you doing, Martin?" Coach asked as he got up from this chair.

"To be honest, not very good, Coach. I'm not used to being injured and I'm not dealing with it very well. I got to get back on the field."

"You will," Coach Ken reassured him as he approached Martin.

"No, you don't understand—I've got to get on the field now," he said. "I thought a lot about what you said and my answer to your question is Yes. I'm willing to pay the price. That's why I have to get better. After all, how I can I strive for greatness and work my tail off if I'm not on the field?"

Coach Ken shook his head and smiled as he put his large hand on Martin's shoulder. "You remind me a lot of the way I used to think. I thought that being great meant that I needed to get stronger, quicker, and faster. And while those things were certainly part of becoming a great football player, I have learned that this is not where greatness begins.

You see, striving for greatness doesn't start on the field. It starts right here, in your head. You win here first," he said, pointing to his forehead. "Then you win on the field."

"You sound like Gus," Martin said.

"Well, I'll take that as a compliment," Coach ...