Football and Presidential Politics in America

I’ve always been an avid football fan. While participating in backyard pick-up games in grade school and later in more organized competitions as a teenager and young adult, I collected my share of hard knocks and bruises—both to my body and ego. Whether on the winning or losing side, I learned important lessons while playing and watching football, most of which can be applied to other walks of life.?

With the NFL preseason in full swing and the November elections rapidly approaching, I’ve been thinking a lot about the significant differences between the rules and acceptable behavior that govern American football as compared to what is taking place in American politics today, all in juxtaposition with the four candidates on the two major presidential tickets. While most journalistic comparisons understandably have centered on the Democratic and Republican candidates for president, and without in any way diminishing Kamala Harris as a capable Democratic presidential candidate, I’m particularly intrigued by the stark differences in the behavior and character between Tim Walz and Donald Trump.

For example, 60-year-old Tim Walz is quick-witted, a 24-year National Guard veteran, a former high school social studies teacher and football coach, and a well-respected six-term congressman and two-term governor. On the other hand, 78-year-old one-term ex-President Donald Trump has increasingly confused key dates and names while promoting delusional conspiracy theories, previously evaded the military draft five times, personally ran multiple businesses into bankruptcy before becoming the host of The Apprentice, and then in 2016 when running for president got caught making lewd comments about women on another reality TV show Access Hollywood.

So, with some trepidation, I jotted down some thoughts about five major components of football and then summarized how Trump and Walz stack up against one another in each of these categories, keeping a running tally of the score along the way.

RULES

Every level of football from high school to the NFL has specific rules that govern the game. However, players and coaches at every level understand that they must adhere to the rules and that penalties will be imposed for infractions. Referees on the field are responsible for enforcing the rules, and their decisions are final other than in certain instances when an instant replay camera is used to review a questionable call.

It should be noted that a coach is not allowed to engage in any activity that would delay the outcome of a game in hopes that a loss can be avoided or that the game can be shifted to the next season when a different team or officiating group is in place.

Coaches, players, fans, and sports commentators understand that while winning is each team’s goal, winning by the rules is paramount. Green Bay Packers fabled former head coach Vince Lombardi was clear on this subject when he said, “The objective is to win fairly, squarely, decently, and by the rules, but still win.” And while this may seem obvious, the score at the end of the game is unambiguously final. A football team doesn't have the luxury to accept the final score only when they win or to disregard the outcome when they lose.

Candidate Comparison: Donald Trump played football for only one year when he attended New York Military Academy. It’s unlikely that football coaches had any constructive impact on young Trump because, from an early age, he was taught by his father that established rules did not apply to him and that it was perfectly acceptable or even admirable to win by whatever means possible. Trump now believes that he is above the law and that breaking the law is a legitimate path to getting what he wants. Most football coaches would say, at least privately, that if Trump’s actions in business and politics were to be translated to a refereed football game, he would be ejected from the game and most likely banned from further competition. Walz also played football in high school but in the small town of Butte, Nebraska. Unlike Trump, he learned from his parents that “fair play” meant always competing by the rules and encouraging those around you to do the same.

Score: Trump 0, Walz 7 (extra point successfully kicked on all touchdowns).

COACHES

While prior win/loss records are important in any hiring decision, a prospective coach’s character is always a consideration. In this regard, great head coaches consistently put their team's best interests above individual recognition or personal gain. New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick recognized this paradigm when he noted, “Mental toughness is doing the right thing for the team when it’s not the best thing for you.”

Competent coaches also consistently take personal responsibility for their team’s performance, and they know how to act whether win or lose. Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula understood the importance of accepting responsibility and never shifting blame when he said, “The superior man blames himself; the inferior man blames others.”

Every successful coach I’ve encountered recognizes that success only comes after hard work and preparation, and any coach worth his or her salt would never go into a game unprepared. Great head coaches also know that leadership and respect are earned and not simply assumed or expected because of their position. They surround themselves with capable, hardworking, dedicated players and coaching staff, and then they listen to what their players and staff have to say. As Paul Brown, co-founder and first coach of the Cleveland Browns, noted, “Coaches have to watch for what they don’t want to see and listen to what they don’t want to hear.”

Head coaches are expected to be tough, but also ethical, honest, and trustworthy. Reputable coaches never tell their players, fans, or press that their team won a big game when they lost, nor do they ever claim a game was rigged or stolen if their team lost by a point or two. In addition, coaches understand that words matter, so they avoid using inflammatory language capable of inciting violence.

Finally, any coach who was found to have repeatedly lied or bent the truth, abused people (sexually or otherwise), used racially divisive rhetoric, falsified documents, sold favors, or refused to respect the rules of the game would be fired.

Candidate Comparison: In considering past performance as a leading indicator for what can be expected, Trump’s record in business includes multiple bankruptcies, numerous unpaid debts, many disappointed investors, and countless unethical or illegal business practices. Turning to his political career, Trump was ranked by 154 reputable scholars as the worst U.S. president in history. In contrast, Walz was named “most inspiring teacher” by his high school students. In addition, he was admired by his football players as a “clear eyes, full hearts kind of coach” who led the Mankato West High School football team to its first-ever state championship. As a hard-working, principled congressman and governor, Walz was universally respected and trusted by members on both sides of the aisle.

Score: Trump 0, Walz 14.

TEAMS

Football is a team sport. Successful teams have teammates who work together, rely on one another, hold each other accountable, and provide support in good times and bad. Vince Lombardi acknowledged this important principle when he told the press, “The achievements of an organization are the result of the combined effort of each individual.”

It’s a longstanding tradition that team captains shake hands at the 50-yard line before the start of each game, and then the visiting team captain calls "heads" or "tails" during a coin-flip to determine which team will initially kick off and which will receive. The loser never disputes the outcome, complains that the coin toss was rigged, or asks for a re-flip. It’s also no accident that at the end of each hard-fought game, opposing players shake hands and often share experiences to build friendships.

Every football player wants to win, but no respected player ever tries to injure an opponent. However, if a player is seriously injured during a game, opposing players don't celebrate; rather, they often kneel in hopes that the injury will not be grave or career-limiting.

Winning football players work hard, study their playbooks, and rarely complain. They don’t whine and they don’t like whiners. Paul Brown had it right when he confessed, “I can’t stand it when a player whines to me, or his teammates, or his wife, or the writers, or anyone else. A winner never whines.” Lou Holtz, the only college coach to lead six different programs to bowl games including a National Championship for Notre Dame, also aptly observed, “The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it.”

Candidate Comparison: Donald Trump clearly doesn’t understand the meaning of teamwork, and he has shown a proclivity to turn on some of his closest team members. He consistently has made poor hiring decisions and has been quick to fire anyone who failed his ironclad loyalty test. The public now understands that in addition to being a serial liar, Trump is also a perpetual whiner who likes to play the role of victim when events don’t go his way. He also has a reputation for going into important international meetings completely unprepared and has sided with some of the most brutal dictators and autocrats over trusted allies. On the other hand, Tim Walz always has been a team player. From his humble midwestern roots, he became a successful congressman, governor, and now a vice presidential candidate. Along this journey, he consistently shared his success with those who have worked for and with him. Finally, as a former schoolteacher and football coach, Walz understands the importance of working hard, doing homework, and being prepared.

Score: Trump 0, Walz 21.

FANS

It is estimated that there are about 400 million American football fans worldwide. They cut across geographic regions, socioeconomic strata, races, religions, genders, and political ideologies. Most football fans are passionate about their teams, and like other sports fans, they tend to be happier, healthier, and more congenial than their peers.

While football fans are expected to root loudly for their team, sometimes including a bit of good-natured razzing of the opposing team, violence is never tolerated. A violent or unruly fan will be ejected immediately from the stadium. Even though fans may disagree with a referee’s call, the idea that they would ever charge the field and attack the referee is unthinkable. When their team loses or fails to win a championship, disgruntled fans never entertain the thought of banding together to storm the winning team’s clubhouse, opposing coaches’ offices, or the referees' homes.

Good sportsmanship also defines good fans. It is commonplace for football fans on both sides to clap for any player who has been severely injured and needs to leave the field of play. When distinguished former or current players are honored at football games, it is just as common for all fans to stand and clap in tribute.?

Candidate Comparison: Trump cannot stand to lose and will not abide by the outcome when he does. He also encourages his loyal fans not to accept his defeats even when a defeat has been proven fair and according to the rules. This was most markedly on display when Trump encouraged his MAGA followers to storm the Capitol Building in 2021 to disrupt the peaceful transfer of presidential power. Perhaps it is due to his rural Nebraska and Minnesota upbringing or the lessons learned as a high school football coach that Tim Walz always encouraged his fans to root hard for their team but to accept any outcome with humility, dignity, and grace. During service in the Nebraska and Minnesota Army National Guards, Walz consistently valued the men and women with whom he served. Conversely, Trump dodged military service when a podiatrist friend of Trump's father diagnosed bone spurs in one foot (although Trump now can't remember which foot it was). Trump also has described draftees as “suckers” while using the word “loser” to describe Senator John McCain because he was a prisoner of war in Viet Nam, then adding, “I like people who weren’t captured.”

Score: Trump 0, Walz 28.

COMMENTATORS

The best commentators in football and other sports are impartial and honest, and they never try to influence the outcome of the games they cover. ESPN, NBC, Fox, CBS, and any other network that broadcasts NFL or NCAA football games select and retain commentators who have knowledge of the game and who can provide accurate play-by-play descriptions and unbiased post-play analysis.

The idea that any sports network or commentator would purposely falsify facts to benefit one player, team, or conference is absurd. Also, in those infrequent cases when a commentator oversteps the bounds of propriety or violates company or league policy, swift action is taken to discipline or terminate the employment of that commentator.

One of the best-known and most highly respected NFL sportscasters was John Madden, Super Bowl-winning head coach of the Oakland Raiders. Madden thought that leaders in football and every other profession should be judged by their character and not just by their win/loss record. He had no use for people who refused to accept responsibility or blamed others for their failures; he also despised sore losers and braggarts. Madden will be remembered for many memorable quotes, including, "Self-praise is for losers; be a winner. Always have class and be humble." It's not bad advice for football coaches, players, politicians, or anyone else.

Candidate Comparison: Trump doesn’t want fair, unbiased experts assessing his performance or character. He lauds those commentators and networks that praise him and berates any news organization or reporter who tells the truth at his expense. If he doesn’t like a question, Trump immediately attacks the commentator, attaches the adjective “nasty” or “biased” to the question, and finally evades the subject or provides an inaccurate or false answer. On the other hand, Walz appreciates an honest exchange of views even if the opinions expressed may not be favorable to him. Walz also has consistently supported a free press as one of the underlying tenets of our democracy. On the other hand, Trump called freedom of the press “disgusting” and said that people who believe in free speech are "foolish."

Final Score: Trump 0, Walz 35.???????????????????????????

So, there you have it. I could have been more expansive, but you get the picture.

Now, setting Trump and Walz aside for a moment, let me ask if it’s too wild a dream to hope that somehow politicians, political special interest groups, and the general electorate in the United States might apply some of the lessons and best practices from football to the current political discourse that has become more divisive and counterproductive in recent years? Is this a bridge too far considering that most politicians, including Donald Trump and Tim Walz, call themselves football fans and profess to love the game and all it stands for?

Most people would answer, “Yes, it’s too wild a dream, a bridge too far, or at least a real long shot.” Well, the storied history of football, and America for that matter, is filled with improbable turnarounds, long shots that paid off and surprise come-from-behind victories.

Since the upcoming elections are viewed by many as a time for hope, renewal, and a potentially better path forward for all Americans, perhaps now is a time for another odds-defying, football-type surprise that would help improve the political landscape in America.

Whatever the case, and no matter who you favor to occupy the White House for the next four years, remember Thomas Jefferson’s wise admonition: “We do not have a government by the majority. We have a government by the majority who participate.” Said another way, “Speak up, get involved, and VOTE!”

For more articles by Art Collins, visit: https://medium.com/me/stories/public