Over the years I’ve had a lot of coaches that have become huge influencers in my journey both in football and in life. I believe that God puts these people in our paths for a reason. Whether it’s a mentor, coach, parent, or teacher, these people change us forever.

Mike Woicik, the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Dallas Cowboys, has been someone who I look up to in more ways than one. Having won six Super Bowl rings as a coach with the Dallas Cowboys and the New England Patriots, he is revered on the field by all players and coaches. But more than that, he’s someone who never strays away from his faith in Jesus Christ. He doesn’t just coach men, he impacts them for eternity. Every person that I’ve talked to who has been under this man’s wing has been greatly affected by his character. Besides walking alongside guys in their football career, he goes out of his way to connect with them personally, often taking guys out fishing as an avenue to impart wisdom and love to them. I am only one of the many that have been blessed by this man.

Looking back at my high school career, I had a couple coaches that were really incredible, but one man in particular stood out. Larry Kellom, my high school head coach is an incredible leader. The loyalty that he showed his guys, standing up for them no matter what, was amazing. I remember when a good friend of mine on the team was going through a really hard time, and just when it would have been easy for Coach Kellom to say, “Well, we lost him,” he instead brought him into his home, giving him a place to stay and a person to learn from.

Coach Kellom wasn’t just a high school football coach, he was someone who selflessly loved others. Our team that year was far less talented than most teams that I’ve played on, but it was also by far the most successful team that I’ve ever been a part of. What we lacked in talent and strength, we made up for in passion and teamwork. Against the odds, my high school team ended up going all the way, winning the championship that year. I still consider that moment to be the highest point in my athletic career—it was the only game that brought me to tears. Winning felt so much greater when I was a part of a group of guys who were way more invested in the team than they were in their own success.

This triumph was possible because the selflessness of one coach permeated the entire team. Because of our coach’s leadership, we went from being a bunch of athletes playing a game to a focused group of men with one mind, intent on one goal.

As I look back at the character of these coaches I only hope that I can leave the same legacy in my own life. I hope that as people talk about me in the past tense they mention someone who was extremely selfless, more concerned about others than about his own well-being. I hope people remember me as someone who put the common good of others before my own reward. And as a father, I hope to instill this character in my own kids. If our society had more of this mindset, we would all be better off.

It can all start with one.

—Tyler Clutts

Tyler Clutts is a regular contributor to The Increase, providing monthly articles and opinions.

Check out Tyler’s Increase profile here: http://theincrease.com/author/tylerclutts/  

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