Vince Lombardi revolutionized the way football was played. Although his attitude was that of a demanding tyrant, his desire to win and will to succeed made him the most influential person in all of football. He was hated by most of his peers in his profession simply because he was able to do what other coaches could not during this time of ego and individualism. Lombardi was able to get perfection out of his players because he demanded perfection. His players often resented him for the constant repetition of plays, but what they eventually realized was that the repetition was to prepare them mentally. His understanding and knowledge went beyond the X’s and O’s on a chalkboard. It was the overall sense of sport that he was able to grasp that some coaches never seem able to achieve. This football sense is hard to describe because of it is of divine nature, and an overwhelming abundance of power. Lombardi believed in his system, and to achieve excellence in football one must believe in that system. Football is not a sport of second-gues
Vince Lombardi’s coaching methods and techniques were an integral part of his success. His motivational strategies often perceived him to be a tyrant. “He was able to convince his players to go beyond their expectations”(Maraniss 445). He knew it took a belief in a “football sense” to win on any given Sunday. This belief, although hard to describe, allowed Vince Lombardi to be a successful football coach. His desire to win and relentless work ethic were just a few of his advantages to his coaching ability. Many other coaches in his field have not matched the metaphysical outlook he had on the game of football. The success that Lombardi had came from something more than knowledge of the game, and he knew it.
Lombardi was a man of his conviction and heart. Lombardi would say that, “A player has to love the game and believe in his own abilities if he wants to achieve greatness”(Lombardi.com). He was not only influential to football, but also to the world of sports. The power and sense he possessed made him a success and one of the greatest