Jim Brandstatter played offensive tackle for
the Wolverines. This East Lansing high school football star doubted his ability
to play on the big stage. He wondered, “Can I compete? Do I have the ability to
be a legitimate competitor, Can I contribute so I can play with these guys?”
While playing on the University of Michigan’s freshman team, it was very clear
how difficult and physical were the team practices. Even the wind sprints were
grueling for this large athlete. Over
and over they would run these wind sprints and he remembered talking to Reggie McKenzie
about the brutal punishment they were taking from their freshmen football
coach. They even talked about wanting to kill him. Although they grumbled, they
continued to undergo over and over and repeat the painful ordeal.
And then Schembechler became his coach. Jim
said that Schembechler prepared his players to be mentally tough and for Jim,
mental toughness was “never giving in.” He stated that mental toughness is an
attitude, it’s not quitting. He also learned to form good habits and to develop
a winning attitude, regardless of the physical and mental obstacles or
punishment. He realized that failure was possible because there was always
somebody on the field, who was better than him. He worked on fundamentals over
and over again, because he didn’t want to let down his teammates. He remembered
that he did drills and more drills and had plenty of physical contact with pads
during practices. He thought the practice intensity was high, almost like game
intensity as the drills were very physical. Because he weighed more than 250
pounds, he had to run what was called a penalty mile and remembered, that
distance running, being very tough on him. Another brutal strengthening drill
was pushing a blocking sled with both arms extended, which he practiced over
and over again. He didn’t want to miss any blocking assignments, because then
he knew he would let his teammates down.
Coach Schembechler and staff treated Jim
harshly. For instance, his coach said things like “we wasted a scholarship on
you;” and” you’re the worst tackle in the history of intercollegiate football.”
Jim told himself that the coaches were doing this so that he would get better.
They were verbally and physically pushing him and pushing him and then he said
“Bo knew I could take it and I could.” In the end psychologically, it was Jim’s
ability, his unconscious rebelliousness, defiance, and likely obstinacy and
arrogance “to take it” from Bo. This allowed Jim to be the master of his own
fate and destiny, thereby succeeding in front of his peers, and actually
gaining the much needed respect.
Schembechler’s Wolverines had a punt blocked in
one of their season games. So during the next week of practice, the coach told
the players he would give money to any defensive player that blocked the punt.
Lo and behold, during one punting drill, the ball was snapped, Jim made his
block and ran downfield for the tackle. However, the ball was blocked.
Schembechler was furious and ran down the field after Brandstatter thinking he
missed his block, which resulted in the blocked kick. Upon reaching his player,
coach Schembechler spitting, yelling, ranting, raving was angrily giving it to
Jim berating him unmercifully. Jerry Hanlon, line coach to the rescue, ran
after Bo and said to him “Jim made his block.” Stopping the beating, the
frustrated Bo said something to the effect that” he needed it anyway.” More than
once, and numerous times the young athletically talented Brandstatter submitted
passively to the mighty and external force of his coach. He accepted criticism,
he surrendered, he had to go along with this blame, and punishment. One can
argue that he didn’t enjoy the pain, or was it a noble sign of macho, courage,
mental and physical toughness? No one physically forced him to go out on that
brutal playing field over and over again. Did he seek and enjoy it, certainly?
Psychologically, it was expected just his father, brother and teammates endured.
He was driven. His father was a Brigadier General; his older brother played on
the big stage; he was the youngest; and he attended a parochial school. Yes, Jim
knew very well about yielding and self-humiliation. His strong will allowed
him, even at the risk of humiliation, to continue and thereby succeeding.
Murray and the Freudians had it right. Human
behavior is highly influenced by need structure, or a hypothetical state of
tension within the organism. These needs are based on goal directed behavior,
with the many psychological and physical barriers in their path. No one ever
said that the n Achievement was easy to accomplish. However, we do go after
difficulties and, with achievement goal attainment we increased positive
feelings about self. Achievement of significant goals feels good for a number
of reasons. Further, n Abasement or sadomasochism gets expressed over and over
again. Playing football is just one example of this expression of need. One has
to remember, that seeking and enjoying pain or punishment is not always at the
conscious level. Not only that, there are other reasons or motives that explain
the drive to succeed. Perhaps, at times the n Achievement factors in goal
driven behavior can be one such factor. The important goal is relentlessly
pursued regardless of the impairments or barriers in its way.
For example, my last recent competitive 20 mile
trail run was in the Sierra Nevada’s. That meant plenty of elevation gain
during my run. Temperature reaching triple digits, added to my physical pain as
I was punishing my 75-year-old body. I continued and finished the run and was
very happy when it was over. Sure, I came in first place at my age group. Did I
punish my body during the run, sure thing? Will I do it again, sure? How can I
argue that I didn’t seek the pain? I rationalize that as long as I can, I’ll do
it. For me, the “I can” is a very important component of my personality.
Don’t forget to join us at Sesi Motors in Ann
Arbor, Michigan, on September 17 from 6 to 8 PM for a book signing of Bo’s
Warriors -Bo Schembechler and the Transformation of Michigan Football and to
interact with Thom Darden, Jim Brandstatter, Mike Keller, Fritz Seyferth, Jim Betts, and others in my book.
Congratulations to our host and newly elected President of Michigan Football
Athletic Network [MFAN] Jim Betts. Wine and hors d’oeuvres are on the menu.
Looking forward to it: Go Blue!
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