Vince Lombardi

Jerry Kramer was a star player on the Green Bay Packer championship teams coached by the great Vince Lombardi. Lombardi, considered one of the top coaches of all time, could be tough on his players, but he also knew how to build them up. Kramer recalls this story:

“One day during the first year I played for him, he rode me unmercifully, pointing out how slow I was, how weak I was, how stupid I was. He convinced me. By the time I dragged myself into the locker room, I suspected I was the worst guard in league history. I sat in front of my locker, head down, contemplating quitting, when Lombardi came up behind me, mussed up my hair and said, ‘Son, one of these days you’re gonna be the greatest guard in the league.’ Suddenly I was 10 feet tall, ready to do anything for him.”

The tongue has awesome power. It can whittle people down, or it can build them up.

How do you intend to use your tongue?

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”—James 1:26.