My husband officiates college football for The Big XII. The officials from several of the conferences came together last year in Dallas for a clinic. I joined them for a dinner event that included a speaker on Saturday night of the clinic. The speaker was a past college and NFL football official by the name of Red Cashian. Now, most of the officials I have met over the years are unsung heroes. They go out on the field, do their job (which they love) go home and wait for the next week’s game to come. Mr. Cashian showed a video before he spoke that was of several games from his NFL career. You would recognize most of the games. Playoff games, super bowl games, coaches yelling in his face that you love to hate, sports casters talking about great calls. Everyone remembers the games, the coaches and the players, but few remember the Officials.
I had the pleasure of sitting next to Mr. Cashian and his wife at dinner. They are both in their 80’s and one of the most delightful couples I had met in a long time, very much in love and not afraid to express it. As the video came to a close Mr. Cashian got up to speak, his wife leaned over and kissed him. He walked to the podium and reminisced on his years of his college and NFL career, and talked about what was most important that he wanted to share. He talked about keeping a journal, writing down the moments that speak to you. Most of us don’t do that, but should. He talk about having fun. When the most hated coach in the league yelled in his face on national television – pure fun: when Tom Landry shook his hand – fun; when Troy Aikman walked all the way across the football field years after Mr. Cashian retired to thank him and tell him he was missed – more fun; his first super bowl game – fun; the game he called when it was 30 degrees below freezing – still fun.
Most of us don’t know the Officials, but I am one of the lucky few that gets to meet them, know them, and learn about their lives. Mr. Cashian taught me something that night. He ended his speech with the following, which I thought was appropriate to share from great leaders like him.
- The BEST know what they want
- The BEST want it more
- The BEST are always striving to get better
- The BEST do ordinary things better then everyone else
- The BEST zoom-focus
- The BEST are mentally stronger
- The BEST overcome their fear
- The BEST seize the moment
- The BEST tap into a greater power than others
- The BEST leave a legacy
- The BEST make everyone around them better
- The BEST have fun.
Make it a great day!