Ryan Eiler

Tim Tebow explains how to compete with someone for a job without secretly rooting for them to fail: “I would try to show up with the mindset of, ‘I’m competing with Chris Leak, but also for him as a team.’ I’m on his team, and he’s on the same team I’m on.” “When I get to go in the game, I’m trying to do good for him so he gets to come back on the field.” “We’re competing FOR each other.” “Average competitors, and I mean this more in mindset, not talent, want to beat someone when they’re weaker.” “Elite competitors want to beat people at their best.” “I want him to do good. I just want to do better. I’m going to root for him. I’m going to praise him. I’m going to encourage him. I’m going to want the best for him.” “Am I going to want to do great? Yes. But I’m going to choose to root for him. It’s a choice.” “It’s not always emotion. Your emotions, your pride and your ego, it can get to you. Fighting against it is a daily, moment-by-moment thing.”

Matt Stafford says players should be coached hard during the week, but game day should feel positive and freeing: “I’m a firm believer that game day should be a positive experience for people. For us, it’s: Get coached hard during the week.” “The same thing I say to a guy on Sunday to relieve the pressure and let him play free might come after he screws it up in Thursday’s practice. I’m jumping on him. Not in a derogatory way. But, ‘Hey man, we’ve got to have an outside release to make the play work.’” “Then on Sunday, it’s: We’ve done the hard part this week. We prepared. We learned. We got through some stuff that was uncomfortable. We got through some things that weren’t up to our standard. We figured out the plan. Now let’s go out there and play.” “Sunday needs to be positive and uplifting. Let’s find a way to make this work. Let’s go get the result we’ve all been working for throughout the week.” “Having everybody in a great state of mind is the best way to go. Make sure people feel confident in what they’re doing.” “Sometimes that confidence comes from, ‘I don’t have to think on this play.’ Staff’s got me.’” “Hopefully that puts people at ease around me. So they can play fast. Play physical. And play well.”