Omaha in Winston-Salem

Just a mile from Wake Forest’s campus, at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Peyton Manning and Tracy Wolfson took the stage to talk about life and sports.

Wake Forest Students, local high school football teams, and die-hard Peyton Manning fans packed the venue last night. It is not every day that the ‘Sheriff’ comes to town, so it’s no wonder why there was a buzz in the air.

As far as conversation goes, Tracy jumped right into football and it carried the tone of the conversation. However, being the two fantastic professionals that they are, Manning and Wolfson were able to extract core life values and beliefs from the simplest of football stories.

What Fun is a Linear Life?!?

One of the first topics of the night was adversity. Despite his extensive successes in his playing career, Peyton Manning went through some intense adversity.

In 2011, Manning underwent multiple neck surgeries, leaving his football future uncertain. The following offseason, the Colts drafted Andrew Luck and released Manning, who was left with nerve damage in his throwing arm – and without a home.

Despite his throws losing some velocity, Manning’s dedicated preparation would always set him apart. He may not have been the most talented player on the field, but he was always the most prepared.

The choice to go to the Denver Broncos was quite easy for Peyton Manning. The Broncos were a quarterback away from contending and were willing to let Manning bring in parts of his Colts playbook.

Manning explained how the setbacks of his journey were crucial to his personal growth. We may rarely want to admit it, but failure and adversity are the single greatest way to grow and learn about ourselves. If it were not for his detrimental neck injury, Peyton Manning would not have brought the city of Denver it’s long-awaited third Lombardi Trophy, nor would he have had his 2013 MVP season that most regard as the single-greatest offensive performance in NFL history (5,477 passing yards and 55 passing touchdowns – both current NFL records).

Team on 3 1…2…3 TEAM!

Leadership and coaching are the backbones of any group. Peyton emphasized a good leader is one who never points fingers, doesn’t raise their voice, gives respect across the board, and puts it all on the line. Basically, I described Colts legendary coach Tony Dungy. Manning would agree, because that is exactly who he brought up when asked about leadership.

Manning emphasized that leadership is about paying it forward and guiding those around you. He also noted that even the best leaders need coaching themselves – learning is a lifelong process.

A great leader, as established, isn’t always vocal but potentially willing to go the extra mile. Edgerrin James was the Colts running back from 1999-2005. He was an electrifying player and was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame. Peyton recounted when James was always willing and frankly excited to go out and set blocks for his teammates, despite that not being in the typical job description for a back.

Leadership takes many forms – through motivation, coaching, game planning, or even subtle actions like setting blocks. Sometimes the smallest of actions can inspire those around you.

May I Have Your Complete and Undivided Attention?

Peyton Manning mentioned few people in his conversation, but Emmanuel Sanders was one of them. Sanders was a Broncos legend and an instrumental piece to their Super Bowl 50 run.

The story went like this: In a game, Emmanuel came up to Peyton and told him about the amount of separation he was getting on short routes and how it needed to be exploited. The next play was called as a run, however, Manning got up to the line and called an audible. He snapped the ball and hit a wide-open Sanders for about 15 yards.

The 15 yards were great, but it was the connection between the two that is important. Manning stressed the importance of active listening in building trust and communication. As a quarterback, listening to teammate, like Sanders, meant all the difference in moments of execution.

Parenting 101

Through listening to Peyton Manning talk, you would quickly learn that his father Archie is his hero – he repeatedly mentioned him throughout the night. Archie was a standout quarterback at Ole Miss and a New Orleans Saints legend. He retired from the NFL when Peyton was eight years old. One thing that he will always remember is that his dad was at all of his sporting events and functions. Such a seemingly small detail is something that is forever engrained in Manning.

It is the little things, truly. Archie could have done other fulfilling things but chose to support his kids. It may seem as an obvious duty of a parent, but that is not the reality with many families. Peyton’s kids are both in eighth grade and he is following through on his promise as a father.

As many know, Peyton and Eli Manning host an alternative Monday Night Football ‘Manningcast’ on ESPN 2. When he was pitched the idea by ESPN, he did not want to consistently be away from his family. However, the brothers were offered to do it remotely from their homes in Colorado and New Jersey. Peyton said how he can go to his daughter’s volleyball match at 3:00 and be home in time to broadcast with his brother.

Disclaimer: We all know Peyton Manning is known for his commercials, and I can confidently confirm they are not going anywhere. He said to be on the lookout for more this fall!

Curiosity Complacency Killed the Cat

Peyton Manning-led teams suffered losing seasons only twice in his 17 playing seasons. He won an NFL-record five MVPs, two Offensive Player of the Year awards, and was selected as an All-Pro ten times and a Pro Bowler 14 times. He went to three Super Bowls, winning two. If Peyton Manning knows one thing, it is how to be a winner.

Manning explained that success puts a target on your back. As a result, fictitious quotes from opponents would be posted on the locker room bulletin board to keep the competitive fire burning.

Historically, Peyton Manning was not a trash talker. He may have screamed at a few teammates and opponents over the years, but that’s the competitive spirit. He mentioned how time spent trash talking is time not spent preparing for the next drive. His philosophy was to celebrate a touchdown, high five the guys on the sideline, then sit down and work on how to do it again. The most driven people have an insatiable hunger for success.

Manning acknowledged how his brother Eli’s calm demeanor—never getting too high or too low—taught him the value of staying even-keeled through wins and losses. As Dory from Finding Nemo would optimistically say, “Just keep swimming”.

Dare to be Different

“Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and make a trail.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Although Manning did not use this quote during the conversation, it is ever-relevant. His father and brothers, Eli and Cooper, all went to Ole Miss.

Manning trusted his instincts when he chose Tennessee over Ole Miss, despite the public backlash. He emphasized that blazing your own trail often invites criticism, but the key is making the decision right, rather than worrying if it is.

Ahead of Manning’s senior season, most anticipated him to declare for the NFL draft, as he would likely be the top selection. However, similar to his decision to go to Knoxville for college, he stayed for his senior season. He had already gotten his degree and was injury free; from an outsider’s perspective, he had no reason to stay.

Peyton had the opportunity to meet with Tim Duncan after a Wake Forest basketball game. Manning asked Duncan why he stayed at Wake Forest for his senior year. Duncan simply replied that he liked it there and wasn’t ready to leave.

That was the nail in the coffin for Manning, and his decision led to his best season at Tennessee, where he became a Heisman runner-up to Michigan’s Charles Woodson.

You do not need a concrete reason for wanting something. Sometimes the answer lies within. You may have to walk alone on parts of your journey, but many of life’s greatest treasures lie on the path untraveled.

Wrap Up

In just an hour, Peyton Manning shared wisdom far beyond football. Through his stories and analogies, he highlighted the essential components of teamwork and living a purposeful life.

Thanks as always, and stay tuned for more!

• Wake Forest vs. NC State Preview Oct. 5, 2024 (Unpublished from the Old Gold & Black)
• NFL Week 4 Recap: The Hierarchy Shifts Once Again
• NFL Week 3 Recap: Minnesota Continues to Wreak Havoc
• NFL Week 2 Recap: Is New Orleans Legit?
• Christian McCaffrey Lands on Injured Reserved List

The post Peyton Manning Talks Football and Life Insights at Keynote Event appeared first on BLAKEROBISON.COM.

Quick Briefing

June 17, 2023. Hall of Fame coach Bob Huggins resigns/is fired after a pair of irreparable mistakes. The means of his departure depends on which party you ask. On June 24, WVU named long-time staffer and recently-promoted assistant coach, Josh Eilert, to an interim head coaching gig. The job was to be reassessed in the off-season.

The Solution-Less Problem

Coach Eilert had just come off his first full season as the Mountaineers’ assistant and quickly became in charge of a spiraling and rapidly devolving situation in which he was only given an interim tag. He was tasked with fixing a solution-less problem and his job depended on it.
Eilert said this in reference to his unique challenge upon being appointed head coach, “I talked to coaches all summer and they’re talking about the challenges…they have one or two spots left. We had basically five guys on roster and midsummer had to figure out how to put together a competitive roster.” An issue of perspective in which WVU was a prime example of the saying, “It could always be worse”.
The 2023-2024 season was supposed to be special for West Virginia. Instead, eight players jumped in the transfer portal upon news of the coaching change.
“Be a professional…control what you can control…try to be the best version of yourself…just keep grinding.” Josh Eilert focused on these core components with the guys he had. He knew the path ahead was going to be tumultuous and his guys needed to be well-rounded. I asked Josh about his coaching philosophy. Aside from applying those messages, he never really got to form his own coaching identity.
“The way I wanted to play, we couldn’t do that…what we did better probably than any other year is we adapted to what we had.”
Eilert had to form a coaching identity over night. However, it was almost a triage-style to stop the bleeding within the program. Adaptability was the name of the game for the Mountaineers. Eilert instilled that trait into the team, as statuses were constantly changing throughout the year. The season may not have gone favorably, but the art of his coaching definitely shined through.

The Magic Lies Within

WVU’s season was one marked by a historic number of losses, but very few talk about the magic of this absurd time. Josh Eilert was able to lure Kerr Kriisa back to Morgantown after he entered the transfer portal. He was suspended the first nine games of the season due to an issue from his time in Arizona. The Mountaineers had to wait until mid-December to get their eventual scoring leader, RaeQuan Battle, and Nah Farrakhan back. They were previously prohibited from participating due to transfer rules before a judge issued a restraining order against the NCAA. This team experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. They lost by as much as 36 against Cincinnati and Texas. In a one-week stretch, however, they took down #25 Texas and #3 Kansas in Morgantown.
“We were capable of beating about anyone, but we could lose to anyone.”
Through talking to Coach Eilert, I learned that, despite this team’s inefficiencies, they truly were in battle for each other. They had each other’s backs and fought each and every day. WVU’s win against Kansas was especially memorable for Josh. They beat Kansas on “Coaches vs. Cancer” day, and Josh’s father lost his fight with cancer seven years ago. He grew up in a Kansas State-supporting household and made the school his alma mater. To be able to beat his family school’s rival as well as WVU’s rival was twice as nice.
The 2023-2024 Mountaineers will forever be tainted by their 9-23 record, but the true glory was the work that went in to field a competitive team and maintain the cohesion and brotherhood among the squad.

The Golden Rule

If you are a WVU fan, I would safely assume you are passionate about your fandom. Odds are you discuss or post online about what transpires. This year, fans were highly critical of the basketball team’s performance. That is mostly expected with a historically poor performance. I asked Josh about how he handled the sometimes harsh criticisms that were thrown around online:
“I wanted to win more than anyone…I was hard on myself, so to be in that vacuum and see all that negativity…it wasn’t good for my mental health.”
He added that assistant coach Jordan McCabe actually took over his social media and changed his password, noting it as a greatly beneficial action.
“People don’t realize how distracting it is for the program, and especially for young adults 18 to 21 years old…it affects me, 43 years old…but for an 18 to 21 year old it certainly weighs a lot heavier.”
Having passionate fanbases is certainly a double-edged sword. Our favorite teams are filled with kids. These guys are not that far removed from high school and just want to make a name for themselves and their team. Coaches, for the most part, fight tirelessly to put their guys in the best position to win. Coach Eilert is a prime example of that kind of class-act coach. The fans want nothing but the best for the organization, but it’s just that, they want nothing but the best. Fans should never lose their passion, but I would never want to see negativity thrown toward a group of guys fighting tirelessly for their team, university, and state.

Get Your Climbing Shoes

Josh Eilert had always dreamt of being a head coach in a “fairytale situation…going up on a podium and getting a long-term contract.” His dream came true, but in the most unconventional and testing manner possible. Now an assistant coach for the University of Utah, he works to re-climb the mountain-this time in a more natural and permanent manner. His whirlwind of a time as WVU’s head coach was not in vain, though.
“The record sometimes doesn’t speak for the life lessons that everybody took from that whole situation…there’s gonna be that 9-23 stamped on my forehead, but for me it was an incredible growth opportunity.”
Sometimes, the best things come from where you’d least expect them. Life throws us curveballs and we have two choices: roll with the punches and grow or let life’s unpredictability beat us down.
Josh Eilert experienced something unique that few, if any, can ever add to their resume. Because of this and his love for the game and players, he will once again be called “head coach”. This time, however, there will be no interim tag. He will be at the podium and happily accept his long-term contract.

• Wake Forest vs. NC State Preview Oct. 5, 2024 (Unpublished from the Old Gold & Black)
• NFL Week 4 Recap: The Hierarchy Shifts Once Again
• NFL Week 3 Recap: Minnesota Continues to Wreak Havoc
• NFL Week 2 Recap: Is New Orleans Legit?
• Christian McCaffrey Lands on Injured Reserved List

The post Exclusive Interview: Former WVU Head Coach, Now Utah Assistant, Josh Eilert appeared first on BLAKEROBISON.COM.

The Scoop

Haason Reddick started his career as an Arizona Cardinal. After his rookie contract, the Cardinals let him walk in free agency, leading him to sign with the Carolina Panthers for a season. Then it appeared he found his forever home with the Philadelphia Eagles. This, however, is where the turmoil began. Reddick requested a trade from the Super Bowl runners up, and his wish was granted with a plane ticket to New York four months ago. A new contract extension has not been reached between the two sides and the situation has reached a head…or has it?

Restoring Power

“We have informed Haason that we will not trade him, that he is expected to be here with his teammates, and that he will continue to be fined per the CBA if he does not report.”
Jets General Manager Joe Douglas fired back at Haason Reddick in an unprecedented response. We are seeing a similar cat-and-mouse game in San Francisco with Brandon Aiyuk as players continue to gain power in recent years. The Jets are at least attempting to have the former Temple Owl honor the rest of his contract. How this really unfolds could be a very different story, though.

Wrap Up

The NFL needs balance. Franchises should not walk all over players, but the players also should not get their every wish granted. When one side attempts to play hardball we usually see an agreement in the middle. However, we rarely see a stern and assertive response like what was issued today. Maybe we will see a shift in the forces going forward.

• Wake Forest vs. NC State Preview Oct. 5, 2024 (Unpublished from the Old Gold & Black)
• NFL Week 4 Recap: The Hierarchy Shifts Once Again
• NFL Week 3 Recap: Minnesota Continues to Wreak Havoc
• NFL Week 2 Recap: Is New Orleans Legit?
• Christian McCaffrey Lands on Injured Reserved List

The post New Discovery: NFL Teams Have Backbones appeared first on BLAKEROBISON.COM.

July 13, 2024

July 13, 2024, is a day that should not have held significance. Aaron Judge broke a Yankees record, and the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team defeated Mexico 1-0 in a friendlies match. But something far more significant happened. The former President of the United States, and current Republican nominee, was shot at a rally. He was maybe a centimeter away from death or catastrophic injury. At a place in which people are meant to come together, enjoy themselves, and support a cause they believe in, one person was murdered, and two are in critical condition. The former President of the United States was almost assassinated yesterday evening.

STOP

Already, people are using this moment not to form unity in a divided time, but rather to divide further. Our country is in the midst of massive internal turmoil, and we recognize that every day. However, we continue to act as if we don’t have common ground. We are all humans just trying to get by. We are all Americans-living in the land of opportunity and freedom, yet you wouldn’t know it. Whether you align with the Democrats, Republicans, Independents, or you don’t have an affiliation, I can say with absolute certainty we all agree on one thing: we want unity. This is the moment to act, in times of distress and hurt. We all have opinions but we must not let them divide us. Rather than spread the poison that politics have become, spread love. We get so caught up in the superficiality of this game and forget that what is playing out before us is detrimentally real and completely avoidable.

Wrap Up

Be kind to your neighbor. Think twice before you hit post. Learn to agree to disagree and leave it at that. Work to find common ground in all things in life. Spread love, not hate. Remember, we are all just humans, regardless of political affiliation.

“United we stand, divided we fall”

The post STOP. No Sports. Just Listen. appeared first on BLAKEROBISON.COM.