Leadership Qualities Football
Peyton Manning: Agility on the Fly
Famous for shifting plays and entire personnel formations on the line of scrimmage, once he sizes up what the competition is trying to do.
Vince Lombardi: Commitment to Fundamentals
He perfected the simple yet potent “power sweep”—and built strategies from there.
Tom Brady: Work Ethic
Demonstrates how intense preparation can overcome any perceived limitations. (He was only a sixth-round draft pick in 2000.)
Joe Gibbs: Adaptability to Talent
Got the best out of a variety of talents and “types,” like the free-spirited John Riggins, winning three Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks.
Eli Manning: Ability to Filter Out “Noise”
Manning shrugs off tabloid criticism and just wins. His unflappable manner led the Giants to two of the Super Bowl’s most historic upset wins.
Bill Walsh: Passion for Innovation
Considered a pioneering strategist of modern football, he routinely “scripted” the first two-dozen plays of every game.
Larry Fitzgerald: Well-Grounded and Globally Connected
During the off-season, Fitzgerald takes fellow players to places like Africa and Ethiopia to support outreach efforts.
Johnny Unitas: Perseverance
Cut in his rookie year, he had to play semi-pro ball for $6 a game before getting a shot with the Colts—and launching a Hall of Fame career.
Joe Montana: Calm (and Humor) Under Pressure
Trailing late in Super Bowl XXIII, he looked to the stands during the huddle and said, “Hey, isn’t that John Candy?” Then he led his team on a championship-winning drive.
