| Recently, I had the privilege of being | | | | Super Bowl IV, Len was sitting on the |
| the MC at a business breakfast. Our | | | | bench next to his receiver, Otis Taylor. |
| guest speaker was Len Dawson, who is a | | | | The Chief's defense was doing a great |
| member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, | | | | job against the Minnesota Vikings' |
| and was the quarterback for the Kansas | | | | offense. Otis told Len of a play he knew |
| City Chiefs in the very first Super | | | | would be effective against the Viking |
| Bowl. Mr. Dawson spoke about three keys | | | | defense. "Back then," Len said, "the |
| for success. | | | | quarterback would call most of the |
| Prior to the meeting, I got to spend a | | | | plays." |
| few minutes talking with Len. He is a | | | | He went on to tell us that Otis |
| wonderful man. He told me that he | | | | proceeded to write out the play in the |
| doesn't do very many of these events, so | | | | dirt just like kids do. Otis told him |
| I knew it was real treat to have him | | | | that if he tried the play he knew he |
| speak. Following a video presentation | | | | could beat the defender. A few minutes |
| about his life, I brought him up to the | | | | later it was time for the offense to |
| lectern. | | | | take the field. Otis asked Len if he was |
| He talked about his childhood leading up | | | | going to call that play. "No," was Len's |
| to his pro football career as well as | | | | reply. "Not 'till we get in the huddle. |
| his sports broadcasting career | | | | Hell yeah, I'm going to call that play!" |
| afterward. (He still does the radio | | | | The play worked great, leading the |
| broadcast for the Chiefs.) He then went | | | | Chiefs to a touchdown. Len Dawson and |
| on to give us three keys for success: | | | | Kansas City Chiefs then went on to win |
| fundamentals, teamwork and a winning | | | | Super Bowl IV. And even though Len was |
| attitude. | | | | named the MVP of the game, he stressed |
| Fundamentals: Mr. Dawson talked about | | | | that the Chiefs won because of their |
| how import fundamentals are for success. | | | | teamwork. |
| He told us that he practiced his drills | | | | A Winning Attitude: The final point Len |
| faithfully for 20 years. He also talked | | | | talked about was having a winning |
| about being prepared. | | | | attitude. Len said that the difference |
| In the video presentation there was | | | | between Super Bowl I and Super Bowl IV |
| actually footage of Len throwing an | | | | was a winning attitude. In Super Bowl |
| interception in Super Bowl I. Not too | | | | IV, they knew they could beat the |
| many people would want to show that as | | | | Vikings. Their fundamentals were in |
| an example to anybody! But he included | | | | tune, and they were prepared. They |
| it to make a point about being prepared. | | | | utilized teamwork, and they had a |
| He told us that on that particular play, | | | | winning attitude. |
| he was not prepared for a blitz from the | | | | A winning attitude is not only |
| Green Bay Packers defense. Because of | | | | important, it is critical for success. |
| that, he tried to throw a pass when he | | | | And yet it is so often overlooked. |
| shouldn't have. He made his point well | | | | Fundamentals, teamwork and a winning |
| that part of fundamentals is being | | | | attitude are three important keys to |
| prepared. | | | | success. Having that determination, |
| Teamwork: Mr. Dawson went on to discuss | | | | conviction, and an absolute assurance |
| teamwork as another great key for | | | | that you are going to succeed, will |
| success. "If everyone on the team does | | | | produce great results. It doesn't matter |
| their best, then that's teamwork," Len | | | | if it's football or sales, or whatever - |
| said, "and you can be successful." | | | | having a positive winning attitude will |
| He told us that you have to be open to | | | | bring you success. |
| listen to other people's opinions. In | | | | |