Question

The 1958 NFL Championship football game is known as the greatest game ever played. In that game, two teams faced off and played with such commitment, drive, and tenacity that it changed the trajectory of football in America. In this game, the Baltimore Colts faced off against the New York Giants in a rematch of the only game the Colts lost that season. The Colts coach Weeb Ewbank knew that in order to win, he was going to have to motivate his players to be at their very best. The week before the game, Ewbank put up an article in the locker room that was thought to have been written by Connerly who played quarterback for the Giants. The article was about the Giants victory over the Colts, and said that the Giants were tougher and better than the Colts. Then before the start of the championship game, Ewbank gave the motivational speech of his life. Most of the Colts had been cut or rejected somewhere along the line, and Ewbank cited every slight. He also shared praise and highlights of the player's abilities and accomplishments. The Speech: "Nobody knows you guys, and we’re in a good place to get known, New York City, so we're going to have to win this game. Nobody wanted you guys." Turning to quarterback Johnny Unitas, Ewbank said, "Pittsburg didn't want you but we picked you out of the sandlots." To defensive back Milt Davis, "Detroit didn't want you, but I'm glad we got you." To defensive lineman Big Daddy Lipscomb: "The Rams didn't want you. We picked you up for the $100 waiver price. You've come a long way. When you start rushing the passer more you will become one of the greatest tackles the game has ever seen." To Linebacker Bill Pellington: "The Browns cut you after one scrimmage; you had to hitchhike to your first practice with us!" To wide receiver Raymond Berry: "Nobody wanted you in the draft. You are a self-made end." To fullback Alan Ameche: "I caught hell for taking you first in the draft. There was a guy at Maryland they wanted me to take. I didn't take him and that made a lot of people mad. Then on your first play you went 79 yards for a touchdown against the Bears and they got off my back quick." To halfback Lenny Moore: "You can be as good as you want to be. That's that they said when we drafted you, but the idea was presented that we might have a hard time getting you to practice." To offensive lineman Jim Parker: "They didn’t know where you could be used as a pro. They said you couldn’t play offense and were so-so on defense. But we sure used you." To defensive end Gino Marchetti: "In 10 years of pro coaching, you are the finest end I have ever seen. They said you are the greatest end in the league and you just couldn't get any better, but you continue to get better every week and you will today." Ewbank's tactics got the team off to a good first half, and the Colts emerged in the lead at half-time. However, the Giants rallied during the third quarter and gained the lead. With the best defense in the league hitting its stride, the Giants had kept the Colts from scoring in the second half. Again leadership played a pivotal role for the Colts, but this time it came from on the field. When the Colts got the ball back with 2 minutes and 20 seconds left in the game, the quarterback Johnny Unitas stepped up to lead the offense to prevent the team from loosing. Unitas told his teammates, "We've got 86 yards and two minutes. We're going to go straight down the field and score. Let's get to work." Later players would speak of that moment on the field, saying they "could feel the confidence grow." Within a minute and half the Colts got downfield and kicked a field goal tying up the game. As a result, the game went into the first ever overtime. Again Unitas proved to be a solid leader, working with officials to get the overtime quarter underway. After the Colt's Defense held off the Giant's offense in the opening drive, Unitas led the offense quickly down the field. The Colts scored a touchdown and won.

1. At a later time, Alan Amache said that after Unitas's declaration "you could feel the confidence grow." How are the beliefs of the Colt's leaders serving as a source of motivation?
2. How might the leaders' relationships with the players helped create cohesion and intrinsic motivation within the team?
3. What made Unitas such an effective motivator?

Answer 1

The beliefs of the Colt's leaders serving as a source of motivation as the team members are given chance to show their talent, prove themselves and get recognition with their skills and team cooperation .

The leader's relationships with the players helped create cohesion and intrinsic motivation within the team as leaders communicated individually about each team member's strengths and weaknesses with asking to focus on winning and get recognition when there is an opportunity.

Unitas became an effective motivator with determination and focus for winning the game and building support with the team members to make a cohesive effort for winning.