Who’s In Your Huddle?

Who’s in Your Huddle?

A sportswriter wrote in 2015 that the “Big D” in Dallas stood for dysfunction.^a This was written midseason after Jerry Jones, the Cowboys owner, affirmed the actions of his troubled defensive tackle, Greg Hardy. On the field, Hardy had gotten into the face of the special teams coach and unit because of their botched play that gave up the team’s lead.

Though a tremendous force to be reckoned with on the defensive line, Hardy has also had serious trouble off the field concerning violence toward women. When asked about Hardy’s conduct on the field, Jones called it real leadership and stated that he loved Hardy’s intensity. He even referenced how Hardy warmed up, which seemed to be so out of place at the time.

What surprises me, though, is that anyone would be surprised by Hardy’s conduct on the field, based on what is known about him off the field. Proverbs 20:11 states, “Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.” “Big D” didn’t just get to Dallas on that play in the middle of the season.

In my opinion, there has been “Big D” in Dallas for years. If you are a playmaker, a shutdown corner, or able to wreak havoc in the backfield, your off-the-field character really is overlooked.

But here is the lesson that I believe we should take away from this: when you put people in your huddle who have a past filled with folly, you ought to expect it to come out on the field, which will cost your team greatly. As a leader, you must know who is in your huddle and pick those with good reputations.

Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.

Proverbs 20:11