Coaching Prudence

Aristotle defined prudence as “right reason in practice.” Furthermore he said, “prudence does not use wisdom but sees to it that wisdom is acquired. So prudence gives orders for the sake of wisdom but does not give orders to wisdom” (Nicomachean Ethics, Book Z, 13). Aquinas, working off of Aristotle, made a distinction between “art”, “wisdom” and “prudence.” Art is related to “productive knowledge” (the knowledge of what to make). Wisdom is related to “speculative knowledge” (the knowledge of first causes, why things are). And prudence is related to “practical knowledge” (the knowledge of what to do) (S.T. I-II, 54.4).

In using our football analogy, think of it this way:  The art of the game is knowing what skills are required to execute the play call. The wisdom of the game is knowing why that particular play call was the right or wrong one to go with. The prudence of the game is knowing in the moment which play call to go with or not.

When a player is skilled, they are an artist in their craft. When a player learns from their failures and successes, they are wise in their play-making abilities. The skilled and wise player becomes prudent over time destined to reach the Hall of Fame because of his body of work, not for moments of glory.

Like all virtues, prudence is a habit or disposition to do what is good for man. Yet prudence holds a unique place. The Catechism says that prudence is "the charioteer of the virtues" and "guides the other [cardinal] virtues by setting rule and measure" (CCC 1806).  So because it is prudent to mention it, the cardinal virtues are truly empty if not for grace. St. Augustine recognized the value of these cardinal virtues yet never severed them from grace (cf CCC 1809):

To live well is nothing other than to love God with all one's heart, with all one's soul and with all one's efforts [echoes the Shema]; from this it comes about that love is kept whole and uncorrupted (through temperance). No misfortune can disturb it (and this is fortitude). It obeys only [God] (and this is justice), and is careful in discerning things, so as not to be surprised by deceit or trickery (and this is prudence).

And because we live in a fallen and sinful world, we must preserve ourselves in God’s grace if we are to elevate our actions worthy as an imitation of Christ’s (cf CCC 1839). Furthermore we shall know the (twelve) fruits (charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity) of our labor with the (seven) gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord).

So returning to our football analogy, the game would be chaos if not for the coach. The coach is the one who gives direction. He preserves the nature of the game according to his command. Therefore it is no surprise that some coaches have allowed the game to get to their heads and taken on a “god-complex.” I would say to some degree that he must if he is to be a good coach. And God the Father would be the perfect model for any coach.

Christ reveals the mystery of the Father through his words and actions. So to know the Son is to know the Father, for no one comes to the Father except through the Son…Thomas asked Jesus, “How can we know the way?” Jesus responds, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. If you really know me, you would know my Father also” (John 14:5-7).

Think of it in this football way, the team reflects the coaching staff to the extent of both his successes and failures. Like it or not, you are your father’s son. Yet you are his unique son. This in part is the reason that we cannot speak about fathers without speaking about sons. So we return to where we began, our first session: the father and son tossing the football in the backyard. The father shows the son what it means to be a man in how he interacts with his son. And the son imitates his father in obedience, learning from him the meaning of being male.

Every man in some way is a father to another male who looks up to him. What are we men, as fathers, teaching our sons? What commands do we give one another to preserve the genius of our masculinity?

If we misuse or abuse our power to command then death is to follow and evil reigns. Yet if we use the power of our genius, our command to love will preserve life. This is “right reason in practice.” This is the prudent path of being a man. 

God’s game plan for men is to be nothing less than being who God created us to be, the image and likeness of him: a son of God, a brother of the Lord, a husband of woman and a father in Heaven.

Noble Metals

Allow me to speak briefly one more time, about the virtuous living of the husband. Note that the sign of his nobility, a reminder of his commitment, is his wedding ring.

The wedding ring is made of at least one of the noble metals: silver, gold and platinum. These metals are referred to as “noble” because they are “well known” for their ability to resist oxidation. In other words the ring resists rust no matter its exposure. These metals have a sense of permanence in the air because they do not deteriorate according to changing winds.

Likewise his ring is to make well known to all of the permanence of his marriage. The virtuous husband lives according to a life composed of chastity and intimacy. Chastity is about integration for completion. In other words the husband is able to resist lust because of what he is “made of.” And most importantly his noble heart never breaks with rage or anger when weathered by his environment. He is able to give the whole gift of himself to his beloved without reservation, because intimacy is his response. Violence is conquered with valor, and his ring of honor is due to God being Lord in the sanctuary of his home. He is as Christ is to the Church, hers.

Life Hangs in the Balance of Love

Let’s consider for a moment our football analogy…the play call. All the training and practice is to prepare one to be ready to receive. To be ready for the play call in which you are crucial for its success. See how often on any given Sunday when the player is not truly ready for the play call. We all know what happens. Numerous events could result: penalty for a loss of yardage; the quarterback is sacked, the ball is fumbled, intercepted or dropped. All that training and practice results in failure.

Yet if we take our noble stance with confidence, we shall shine in that “moment of glory” and succeed. Consider all that is involved in “making the play:” designing the play, preparing to execute the play, practicing the play, communicating the signals of the play, relaying to the team the play call, and each player being aware of their role. If practice proved anything, you’ll seemingly go through the motions instinctually. You are to know your place so well that you take your stance confidently and correctly. This is chivalry at its best. And do you see how “courtship” is necessary for marriage?

The wisdom of Coach Landry bears repeating at this point: “Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.”

Ultimately for us men who are called to be husbands of woman is God’s plan. God asks of the bridegroom to be as Christ is to the Church. This is possible only if we have the confidence gained in Christian chaste living. Through that kind of confidence, a husband can be spouse to his beloved woman, his wife.

The Christian understanding of husband is not to be a father, it is to be the spouse of woman. A man is called first to be a husband before being called to be a father. Being a husband of woman is about chastity (completion). And as for intimacy, intimacy is conditioning my heart for her, for the sake of my wife. I can be a “suitable partner” for my wife if I can bring my confidence into play. I can bear the responsibility of being her husband because God built me with the broad shoulders to take it, to guard her from the evil of sin. And I’ve conditioned my heart in practice to be supple for her sake, in intimacy.

Again what is at stake is that life hangs in the balance of a love between husband and wife.

Nobility of Husband

The lesson of endurance was taught when the father and son tossed the football in that backyard. And the lesson of perseverance was practiced when brothers lined-up against brothers. Now the lesson is one of intimacy. The man of the house is not really king of his castle, but a noble knight in a sanctuary.

Men who are husbands are charged with nothing less than guarding woman. This is how the genius of our masculinity is revealed when a man becomes husband of woman. We must look to both Adam and Joseph briefly.

God commanded Adam to guard the garden when he settled him in the garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it. This garden of Eden represents the source of life on earth. Yet by the time we learn of the Fall of Man, the serpent has already entered the garden and tempts Eve. Where is Adam? His heart was hardened. Why is Eve seemingly alone in the garden? The two were to cling and be one! Man was to not only guard the garden, but to cultivate it. Look what happens when the genius of our masculinity is not only neglected but forgotten!

We turn our attention to St. Joseph, husband of Mary. Upon careful reading of the Gospel of Matthew, something hidden is revealed about the genius of our masculinity. Man returns to being a true husband of woman in Joseph. In reading the genealogy of Jesus, the names listed highlight a proud patriarchal line with a few exceptions (see Matthew 1:1-16). When you finally get to Joseph, he is referenced as “the husband of Mary” (Matthew 1:16). God has restored in Joseph and Mary the genius of spouses, both the masculine and feminine. Mary is raised up by the protection of Joseph. This becomes more apparent in the complete reading of Matthew’s Infancy Narrative.

Why is this important? Joseph is often hailed as a model of fatherhood, in a foster sense. Yet I suggest that Joseph is our perfect model of the husband of woman. He demonstrates the genius of our masculinity as husband, not father! Nobility transformed this devout Jew, brother of the Lord, into the husband of woman, the woman, Mary! Joseph’s role as guardian and protector of the Holy Family was because he was the husband of Mary, not the father of Jesus. This highlights for us who too are called to be husband of woman.

Abstinence Satisfies the Will

So consider one last time the practice field. Football players gather together knowing that practice is nearly impossible if their teammates do not show up. In order for the team to be successful, in order words, achieve victory on game day, they must all show up for practice and practice their hearts out. Furthermore some players realize that they may not start, and perhaps never actually step foot on the field of play on game day. 

Every player must be prepared to play, knowing that he may never actually be directly involved in a specific play on game day. This perhaps is the most difficult position and the most admirable player, the one who served the team on the bench. Unfortunately we tend to ignore them or worse yet pity them. To think that we have reduced a man’s importance to “making plays” is not sad but disheartening. I doubt if “making plays” is the purpose of practice.

Those real men who practice their hearts out yet remain on the bench are to be honored, for here lies in the virtue of abstinence, combating gluttony! I would argue that such players who are admirable for their discipline despite never playing a "real" snap, point more directly to the real essence of football. They, who sit on the bench, who remain only sons and brothers, point more directly to real victory. 
Likewise I would say that those men who abstain from married life because of a “higher” calling point more directly to the genius of masculinity, found as a brother of the Lord. So if I take this football analogy and genius of masculinity to a vocational call of men, you would have the priesthood. 

How strange society has viewed the genius of our masculinity...to pity the player who practices their heart out yet sits on the bench. I, on the other hand, see the genius of our masculinity shining forth and would prefer to honor our brothers who “sit on the bench” wearing that honorable collar.

Diligene that Tempers the Heart of Man

On the practice field, we put our bodies through “everything” so that our hearts can take it all. Yet here is exactly where things are amiss. Here is where my “twisted vision” hopefully makes clear what has become distorted: The only way for my heart to endure what lies ahead is not by hardening it, but by softening my heart. The vice of sloth (laziness) actually hardens the heart while the virtue of diligence, softens the heart of man, making it agile. Remember that the heart is a muscle…and like any muscle, the heart is honed in discipline.

The purpose of the practice field is discipline, in order to temper the tension within, to establish discipline so that sons may become brothers, a band of brothers holding one other on the line, conditioning our hearts. When diligence tempers or softens the heart of man, his words and actions become the instincts or habits of a gentleman. 

So if I think that I can become “tough” through hardening my heart, I will become a tyrant out of fear, for such walls surround to hide weaknesses not to protect strength. If on the other hand, I know that I can show strength with the suppleness of my heart, walls become useless and my heart flexes as my body adapts. 

Will my heart become brittle as reality chips away the façade of manhood? Or will my heart beat tirelessly even to the point of bleeding like a Christian man? Know that the potency of our masculinity lies in our ability or power to bleed for the sake of others. Think of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Temperance Practiced in Brotherhood (highlight)

A highlight from Session II...


The purpose of our fraternity or brotherhood is to test each other in order to make sure that we can hold the line. Recall that the line of tension, learned as sons, is the offense of kindness and the defense of generosity. This tension maybe visually apparent on the field of play, however; the true tension lies in “the line” within. There is a healthy tension that lies within, yet unfortunately due to sin we see the line as conflict, a clash, opposing teams at war battling for field position. Was this the purpose of the son and father tossing the football in the family’s backyard? Were the lessons from the father about violent overthrow or benevolent bantering? Have we lost sight of the purpose of the game? Do we set aside rules for personal gain?

Our call to duty as brothers is to lay down our life for each other on that line (see John 15:13), to hold that line for the sake of our brothers, not for ourselves. This is real “brotherly love.” That tension on the line is mandatory because it leads to discipline, a discipline found in temperance. The temperance necessary to be a brother of the Lord takes practice. So before we go out on “game day,” we must set foot on the practice field where temperance is taught/tout in that tension on the line making us ready for the gridiron. This time we learn to control our bodies with diligence and abstinence. This is how temperance is practiced in brotherhood.

Strength of Sonship: Humility (highlight)

A highlight from Session I...

Being a son of God takes courage if we are to put everything on the line. That scrimmage line is where fortitude is forged, where the lion and lamb lie together in tension. This tension can be a healthy and holy tension, if seen with the clarity of virtue. Being a son of God means putting everything on the line with humility. This is the origins of the genius of our masculinity. This is God’s game plan for men. This is what is to happen while the Father and the Son toss the football in the backyard.

The Parable of Three Guys Tailgating

Three best friends headed six hours early to the football game so they could enjoy some tailgating. The first guy was responsible for bringing the grill, the second guy was responsible for bringing the meat (and other food related items) and the third guy was responsible for bringing a cooler full of “refreshments.”

They were all set-up at their usual spot…the grill man fired up his grill, and they all three were inspired by the power of their fire. They were quite impressed, with themselves. And so the three guys saddled-up in front of the portable big-screen to watch some pre-game coverage while checking their fantasy football status.

Eventually the Meat Man loaded up the hot grill to over-capacity, and they all three were intoxicated by the aroma that filled the air. They were quite excited. Then the Cooler Man passed around some more “refreshments” as they socialized with the neighboring tailgaters, checking out “the competition” and enjoying “the view.”

Cooler Man went to grab another refreshment when he noticed the grill was really smoking. He yelled at Grill Man for not watching the grill close enough. So Grill Man opened it up. Cooler Man and Grill Man then became enraged at Meat Man for putting so much on the grill. Well the three guys started battling over the grill and who knew best on how to grill.

Then along walks up a beautiful woman who asks the “gentlemen” if one of them could help her start her charcoal grill. They smiled. She wanted to surprise her husband when he got back that it was ready for him.

Quotes from Coach Bryant

It's not the will to win, but the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.

It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.

In life, you'll have your back up against the wall many times. You might as well get used to it.

There's no substitute for guts.

When you get in the endzone, act like you've been there before.

Players can be divided, roughly, into four types. Those who have ability and know it, those who have it and don't know it, those who don't have it and know it, and those who don't have it but don't know it.

Quotes from Coach Landry

Today, you have 100% of your life left.

I don't believe in team motivation. I believe in getting a team prepared so it knows it will have the necessary confidence when it steps on a field and be prepared to play a good game.

A team that has character doesn't need stimulation.

Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.

I've learned that something constructive comes from every defeat.

Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you're in control, they're in control.

The more successful you become, the longer the yardstick people use to measure you by.

Quotes from Coach Lombardi

If it doesn't matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?

I firmly believe than any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle-victorious.

Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence.

The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.

Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.

Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

Success demands singleness of purpose.

It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up.

The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.

Teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers are all about. They didn't do it for individual glory. They did it because they loved one another.

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.

Leaders aren't born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that's the price we'll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.

A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done.

Dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price.

If you'll not settle for anything less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives.

Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is everything.

It is time for us all to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever -- the one who recognizes the challenges and does something about it.

Football is like life -- it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.

All right Mister, let me tell you what winning means... you're willing to go longer, work harder, give more than anyone else.

If you are not fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.

Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.

The leader can never close the gap between himself and the group. If he does, he is no longer what he must be. He must walk a tightrope between the consent he must win and the control he must exert.

The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back. That’s real glory.

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.

VideoTeaser

Kick-off begins Thursday, October 22nd

For more information, contact: gameplan@catholic-study.com

Description of Series

Love the Game. Know the Man.

Prepare yourself to talk football in light of what God has revealed about the "genius" of our masculinity. We will discuss how the essence of football speaks to and about the heart of Man, that inner tension within that leads us to put "everything on the line" in seeking "victory."

Over these four sessions, the men gathered will train, practice and execute their genius using the analogy of football and a passion for the Catholic faith. So join us to make contact with your brothers in Christ.