[December 29, 2023] Larry Elder is a hero of mine. He and I are almost the same age; we grew up under similar circumstances and were, at best, average at school sports. In an article published yesterday titled Success is not Just about Skill and Talent, Larry tells the story of his superbly skilled and talented friend who failed to achieve his life’s goal.
“We were the best of friends from the time we met in the second grade. We had common interests, especially Marvel comics. As an athlete, “Paul” was everything I was not. He ran like the wind. Name the sport, he excelled. Baseball. Football. Tennis. Basketball. Especially basketball.”
The problem with his friend “Paul” was that for Paul, winning was only part of his life; he verbally humiliated his far-less talented opponents. This attitude would come back to bite him eventually, which is precisely what happened.
“But his verbal abuse made the other kids in the class despise him. We played a game called kickball, and of course, Paul was by far the best player in the class. Once a year one class would play against another class. It was a big deal, kind of an elementary school World Series. Each class voted on which six players would be on the team.”
Paul was not voted onto the team. So, Larry, being Paul’s friend, asked his teacher, Mrs. Best, to remove himself and substitute for Paul. Unfortunately, as Larry points out, his teacher agreed. Predictably, Paul’s attitude never improved.
“From elementary to middle school to high school, Paul continued to dominate, becoming the high school quarterback and the shooting guard on the basketball team. But his attitude, if anything, grew worse. He even sassed his basketball coach. Constantly late for practice, Paul removed his jersey and threw it at Coach Reynolds’ face when the coach threatened to bench him.”
His coach did not bench Paul, which showed him that winning was more important than being a team player or having a good attitude.
“Paul’s senior year, big time college programs came to scout him. UCLA, Notre Dame, Marquette, among others, sent scouts. Sometimes even the head coach came to look at this phenom. Paul saw himself playing major college ball and, after that, the NBA.”
Like any good sports scout, they asked Paul’s coach about him.
“But the scouts and coaches asked Coach Reynolds about Paul’s “attitude” and whether he was “coachable.” Coach told them about how often Paul came late to practice, that he talked back, wouldn’t listen and was a “disruptor” who made it next to impossible to maintain team discipline. Coach called Paul a “coach killer,” meaning he will not only hurt the team but damage the coach’s career. Bye-bye UCLA, Notre Dame, Marquette and every other big-name school.”
Paul thought an injustice had been done to him. He never understood that success takes more than skill and talent. And today, Paul’s life did not turn out as good as it should. But Paul does know why and is “deeply regretful.”
“Had his coaches handled him differently, he might have figured it out sooner. That includes me. I wish I had never complained to Mrs. Best.”
This error rests solely with Paul, not with Larry, so we disagree on this part. But the lesson is clear: skill and talent will take you only so far in life.
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Larry Elders is liked because he makes good sense and that is seriously lacking today in America.
Randy, you’re right about that. Larry Elder is a great thinker and we need more men like him. But we can talk all day long, and as long as you don’t have the gift of good communication, then you will fail to get your message across. Larry Elder has that ability and I’m happy that he does. I read all his books, like I did Gen. Satterfield’s books. Reading and trying to understand goes a long way toward making folks better. I am better for reading his books and I’m glad I did.
Larry Elder has written a number of books. My favorite is “Dear Father, Dear Son: Two Lives… Eight Hours”. Get a copy and read it. You will discover more about yourself.
“But the scouts and coaches asked Coach Reynolds about Paul’s “attitude” and whether he was “coachable.” Coach told them about how often Paul came late to practice, that he talked back, wouldn’t listen and was a “disruptor” who made it next to impossible to maintain team discipline. Coach called Paul a “coach killer,” meaning he will not only hurt the team but damage the coach’s career. Bye-bye UCLA, Notre Dame, Marquette and every other big-name school.” — Larry Elder. Gen. Satterfield makes it clear elsewhere that this is a big cultural problem in all cultures but one that is most terrible in Western socieites, esp. the United States.
True and I’m glad that Larry Elder told this story. But, if we all looked back upon our time as kids, we would see others like “Paul.” The problem is MORE often that the “Pauls” of the world were taken in by colleges and professional teams and later had to be cut/removed because they were not team players.
Best quote there. Yes, attitude means more than most of us think. The problem in America? Many blacks have bad attitudes, not just a few who are great athletes. That is a problem that will haunt and hold back the American black for generations. They have become their own tyrants.
So true! 👍
Excellent article. Bad attitude in kids and adults does not apply to one race of people. I grew up with others races who were very talented and skilled in sports; but thier attitude made me sick. Race does not hold people back; it’s the person in the mirror. YOU. I addressed this with many people and children whom had and currently talking to about the man in the mirror.
Talented can only get you so far. A team of self discipline hard driven and coach able will have better success in winning. You can win a game but still lose because of the attitude.
I have Larry Elder book. His life principal are awesome
Eddie, yes, I agree. This man knows how to tell a good story and link what it means. that is what I like to read. And, yes, his books are awesome.
Thank you, Gen. Satterfield for highlighting a great man, Larry Elder. ✔✔✔✔
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 3️⃣1️⃣🕛1️⃣
Gen. Satterfield has made this point before in these very pages. Look at the various comments he has made on what he calls “character.” Those things that make up who we are and how we think thru the problems and obstacles we encounter (if I remember correctly, Gen. S. calls them snakes) and handling those same, is the determining factor in the quality of our lives. Gen. Satterfield pointed this out best in his book “55 Rules for a Good Life” on Amazon. If any reader here wants to better understand this idea, then get a copy of his book.
https://www.amazon.com/55-Rules-Good-Life-Responsibility/dp/1737915529/
Under, all his books are worth reading. Even if you are not militarily inclined, I suggest you read his first book on the Iraq War. That books gives an insight into the “behind the scenes” activity that happens during a war.
Thank you Gen. Satterfield for giving us a story by Larry Elder. Smart, Christian, and great thinker.
I’m always amazed at the number of people in America (and other countries like the UK and Russia) that have some of the greatest thinkers. What amazes me most is that places like Russia – a nation that is notorious for the horrible deaths of millions – that can produce great thinkers and writers. 👍
Good point Fred and I will add that it is good for us in a moral sense to read these great thinkers. We have an obligation to read their works and to try to understand them.
Also a good point Liz. Thanks all, Happy New Year! 📅
Glad we are all thinking along the same lines. But I will add the thought of Gen. George S. Patton when he said that when everyone is thinking the same, then we are in deep trouble. Not an exact quote.
Larry Elder, the hero of sane people.
Sadako Red, looks like we agree. Well said.