From the Back Cover
Powerful leadership lessons from one of today's most admired NFL coaches
Herman Edwards, head coach of the NFL's New York Jets, is that rare individual who could have willed himself to the top of virtually any profession he chose. In You Play to Win the Game, Edwards reveals the insights and ideas that led to his breakthrough success, and shows how anyone can maximize their potential and fulfill their own destiny.
"Five things come to mind when I think of when I think of Herman Edwards: First is leadership, second is vision, third is conviction, fourth is a passionate pursuit of personal excellence, and fifth is that he's rarely, if ever, satisfied with things as they are. And there a sixth that flows out of the fifth: He is a change agent."--NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue
As far back as he can remember, New York Jets head coach Herman Edwards has kept a notebook of ideas and observations he referred to as "Life Lessons." Whether they were philosophies gleaned from his closest friends or snippets of knowledge taken from people he'd never met, these carefully-chosen lessons provided Edwards with a consistent and dependable source of knowledge and insight on how to shoot for and reach the highest levels of success.
Judging by the results, they seem to have served him well.
You Play to Win the Game seamlessly integrates these often-profound lessons with firsthand experiences from Edwards's life and times. Edwards first presents each lesson, then relates in fascinating, personal detail how it has helped him to address difficulties and conquer doubts that stand between him and his goals. He also discusses how he has used the lessons to help not just himself but others--from fellow coaches and players to family and friends--form a clearer picture of what went wrong, why it went wrong, and what can be done to make it right in the future.
The result is a compelling guide to achievement in any field, whether you are starting from scratch or well underway and simply wondering how to take that all-important next step.
- Make the will stronger than the skills
- Don't waste energy on the unknowns
- When you see opportunity, seize it
- Understand that winning matters
These winning points, taken individually, can help you solve virtually any vexing or frustrating dilemma. Taken together they are nothing less than a template for true self-actualization.
Like all of us, Herman Edwards has always had dreams. The difference is that Edwards was able to turn his dreams into visions, and his visions into concrete realities. You Play to Win the Game will provide you with the motivating words and examples you need to follow his proven example, and create your own story of personal fulfillment and top-level achievement.
About the Author
Herman Edwards has spent the past three seasons as head coach of the New York Jets. Taking over a losing franchise, he led the Jets to back-to-back play-off appearances in 2001 and 2002, and became the first coach in team history with playoff berths in his first two seasons. A former standout NFL player for the Philadelphia Eagles, Edwards hosts the annual Herman Edwards Football Camp for underprivileged children in Sacramento, and is the first coach from the NFL's Minority Coaching Fellowship to become a head coach in the NFL.
Shelley Smith is an award-winning ESPN journalist, and was a Sports Illustrated writer and reporter for eight years.
