Fighting and the Code

There have been several fights on professional football teams as players compete to earn a position on the team. The Rams and the Giants had a brawl, and the Jets quarterback suffered a broken jaw. What does the Code say about this? Obviously, fighting is against the rules, and the Code says, “I will compete within the spirit and the letter of the rules of my sport.” This raises two important issues. First, the issue of self-control. We prove our toughness, competitiveness, energy, commitment, desire – all those important words – by how we play. Maintaining our composure and the ability “to keep our heads when all about us are losing theirs” are as important as any of the other skills in our sport. Losing control of our emotions will guarantee a penalty that may cost us the game, or even worse, in the case of the N. Y. Jets. The larger issue is the “spirit” of the rules. It requires great self-discipline and mental toughness to resist the temptation to skirt the rules when things are not going our way. When have you been tempted to call others names, or to resort to playing “dirty,” or to let your emotions get the best of you? What can you do to maintain your self-control?