Right before my sophomore football season, the sportswriters at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution said that I was a player “who had potential.” One of my coaches saw that and quipped, “Potential is a little French word that means you’re not worth a damn yet.”
Spoiler alert: While I was a decent player, I never really lived up to that potential.
Flash forward two years: I named “most talented” of my senior class due to my ability to draw. That said, I knew that being talented wasn’t enough. My coach’s words echoed in my head. I knew that talent meant nothing without work. I learned that the secret to any worthwhile success is falling in love with the process. I vowed to outwork people.
I kept thinking about that little French word.
Thirty-seven years later, I’d like to think I have lived up to my potential — but I know I still have more than I can do. And as long as I am breathing, I know that will be possible because I absolutely love the process. And I am willing to do the work.
A few months ago, I noticed my coach was at Belhaven University. He played basketball there and was in town for a friend’s funeral. We reconnected and he has helped me put many things from my high school years in proper perspective. Running into him was a God moment. And I consider him a friend.
Tonight, he said, “I said that to you because I wanted you to realize to that you needed to do the work.” I got his message — maybe too late for my high school football career, but definitely in time for my professional career. Over time, I’ve learned that by loving the process, living in the moment, and doing the work, you can learn another little French word — “succès.”
Bottom line: A good coach will teach you how to play a sport. A great coach will teach you how live your life.
Coach Terry Cadenhead is a great coach.