Yes, this is another sports related story and yes, it is one more story about my alma mater, Michigan State University. However, the lessons are applicable to anyone. Let me explain…
Max Bullough is from my hometown of Traverse City, Michigan. He was the senior captain, leading tackler and the heart and soul of the #1 ranked defense in the country. His nick name is, “The Computer,” for his ability to recognize the tendencies of the opponent and get his teammates in the correct defense. He was selected 1st team Big-10, 3rd team all-American,and 1st team academic all-American. The Rose Bowl meant everything to him. He had practically prepared his entire life for this moment. You see, his grandfather played for Michigan State University as did two of his uncles. One younger brother currently plays on the team and the youngest brother has verbally committed to MSU. To say that his blood bleeds green is not much of a stretch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06xMTWFtjxU
Despite all that it meant to him and all the time he spent preparing himself for this moment, Max Bullough “violated a team rule,” and was suspended from playing in the Rose Bowl, his final collegiate game. At this point, no one knows what he did to get suspended, but suffice it to say, he regrets it as much as anything he ever did.
Next Man Up: So, who could possibly replace this leader? Coach Mark Dantonio has a saying, “Next Man Up.” Trouble is, Kyler Elsworth, was the next man up. Elsworth, a 5th year senior who never started a game. Ellsworth, a former walk-on who had never played a significant role in his collegiate career. On top of it all, Elsworth had less than a week to prepare for this new role in the heart of the defense.
With Michigan State University clinging to a 4-point lead in the waning moments of the Rose Bowl, Stanford was attempting to score the go-ahead touchdown. It was 4th down and less than a yard. Who do you think leapt over the line of scrimmage to stuff the fullback for no gain? Kyler Elsworth – the next man up. Who was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player of the Game? Kyler Elsworth – the next man up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmEpZb0i52k
Accepting the Defensive MVP Award for the Rose Bowl
Life Lesson #1: Max Bullough teaches us that you should never get to big for your ‘britches.’ Even when you are at the top of your game, when you are looked up to as a leader, when everything is going your way… you still need to do things the right way, make good decisions and conduct yourself with character… every time.
Life Lesson #2: Coach Mark Dantonio teaches us that everyone is held to the same high-standard. I’m sure it just about killed him to suspend one of the best players on the team and diminish MSU’s chances for victory. It had to feel like disciplining your own child and keeping him from the one thing he wanted more than anything in his life. Still, Dantonio didn’t play favorites or provide preferential treatment. You gotta respect that!
Leading the Spartans
Life Lesson #3: Sometime in your life, you will be second-string. You can sit back and mope about it or prepare yourself for the eventual moment when it is your turn. Some day, some where at some moment, you will be the next ‘man’ up. Believe in yourself and prepare for those occasions. After the game, Kyler Elsworth said, “I always thought I could play football at this level. I just knew I had it in me.”
P.S. Kyler Elsworth was taught the Character Development & Leadership Curriculum while he was a freshmen at Goodrich High School (MI).
Your Turn:
1) Have you ever had to be the next person up? How did that go for you? How did you prepare for that moment?
2) If you were the coach, would you have suspended your best player because he/she violated team rules? Why or why not?
3) What makes this story so inspirational or such a feel-good story?
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It is true even when you’re at your top to make good decisions. Your egoism shouldn’t get start to overcome your personality spjust because you are the top of your game and you’re the best out there. I respect Coach Mark Dantanio for being equal with all of his players, he didn’t play favorite like most coaches so. And the coahces I know who do that aren’t well known or anything, so it shows that he has a great character because of what he did and treating everyone equal. So always be prepared for what you are gig for. Don’t mope around, have to believe in yourself and your ability to become better each day.
1. Yes I have been the next person up, I prepared both mentally and physically for my moment. It went good because I prepared for it.
2. If I was the coach, it would be hard for myself but yes I would have suspended my best player if he did something wrong because everyone is equal and no one should be treated different just because they have different abilities than others do.
3. This is a good inspirational story because even if you may be the under-dog, you can still shine and show everyone your best when it’s your time.
This a good story because he wanted so bad in life, but he couldn’t get it. That didn’t stop him though, he admitted his wrongs. Then he kept going on in his life. He pushing, and pushing until he got where he wanted to be.
I agree with this statement because he had a dream and he couldn’t get it. since he didn’t succeed the first time he kept on trying and trying until he succeeded and got where he wanted to be. I think this blog is very lesson learning to people to read and understand.
I agree with this because he had the desire to keep going and never stop.
This is great! It has good details and well thought out responses.
1. I remember being part of a class-vs-class basketball game, and since I practiced, I was able to follow close behind my opponents and give an incredible display of teamwork.
2. As coach, I’m sure I would’ve had to suspend the MVP, but I wouldn’t feel too good about. The player did break the rules, however, and there is no forgiving a rule breaker.
3. It really seems identical to the Brady 6 story; nobody expected Ellsworth to be a winner, but as he was prepared for the game, he knew he could do it.
Yes you should always be ready to be the next one up because it can happen at anytime.
1. No i haven’t been the next person up so i don’t know how it is
2. Yes and why, i don’t want more and more players to think they can start to break thee team rules.
3. A Inspirational story because it will make may more get ready to be the next person up for any stiutatuion.
(1) Have you ever had to be the next person up?Yes I have been the next person up.How did that go for you?It has not been good but it has not been the worst. How did you prepare for that moment?What I did is I said to myself is you can do it and do not give up.
(2)If you were the coach, would you have suspended your best player because he/she violated team rules?Yes,because no matter how good the player is its still not right to violate the rules.
(3) What makes this story so inspirational or such a feel-good story?This story is inspirational because it gives us life quotes that will help us out in life.
i wonder who won
1. yes it was nerve racking but it went well.
2.yes because i don’t put up with cheaters .
3.because it shows how to deel with cheaters in football.
1. yes it was nerve racking but it went well.
2. Yes and why, i don’t want more and more players to think they can start to break the team rules.
3. This is a good inspirational story because even if you may be the under-dog, you can still shine and show everyone your best when it’s your time.
1. yes but I was not prepared, it went well
2.yes because I go by the rules and he or she cheated.
3.Because it shows you how to deal cheaters
1. yes but I was not prepared, it went well.
2.yes because I go by the rules and he or she cheated.
3.Because it shows you how to deal cheaters.
1. yes , because i wasn’t prepared, it went kinda well
2. yes , because i always go by the rules ,and he or she shouldn’t have never cheated
3. Because , it shows you how to put up with cheaters
yes , it was great , i had to study
yes , because they broke the rules and once u let them off once they think they can get away with everything
because a person got to play and was good even tho everyone else thought they were doomed
yeah and it went well.
If i was the coach i would have not suspended one of the best players on the team because we needed the win but i would of suspended him in the next game. Its inspirational because even if your the backup plan you can still make a good play.
1. I have never been the next person up in a situation like that
2. If I was the coach I would’ve done the same thing because there are rules for a reason and there are consequences when they are broken
3.what makes this a feel good story is because because this other person messed up he got the chance to prove himself and to show that he didn’t stay there for nothing
I have been the next person up. I was next in line to learn how to play my instrument . It went well and I learned how to play my instrument. I prepared by knowing when it was and be mentally prepared.
If I was coach I wouldn’t suspend my best player because they are my best player so I would let them play but after the game I’ll make them run for violated a rule
1. Yes I have it went well. It went very good and we got the win. I practice hard every day until it was my time to shine.
2. I would but at the same time it depends on what the player did.
3. What make this a feel good story is that the benched senior never started a game in the rose bowl got he shine and they didn’t have to rely on their best player.
1. Yes, i have been. It went pretty good. I focused and got my mind right when i wasn’t in there.
2. Yes, because its the right thing to do. You would get a bad repitation if you didn’t.
3. Everyone likes to see the underdog win and he was a walk on so it makes it better.
1. Yes, I was ready to go. I had watched the first string guy, what his technique was. I made sure to get it down.
2.Yes, you can’t do wrong, and expect to get treated like nothing happened. “You get what you earn”
3.The guy that waited his whole college career finally got what he wanted.
1) I have had to be the next man up, and it did go alright for me. I prepared for this moment by paying attention to the guy in front of me and studying the plays.
2) I would have had to suspend the player, it being my duty and all. I wouldn’t have had a choice, though I really wouldn’t have wanted to.
3) It shows that the guy everyone overlooks, the underdog, can make a big difference.
I like this because you talked about how you had the desire to get better and be that man. If you had not payed any attention and just m=messed around, then it wouldn’t of got you where you are now.
1. Freshman year in highschool I was back up qb for varsity, then one of our receivers had got hurt and I had to be the next man up, started the first playoff game we had and won it 42-6. I prepared myself by studying that position every day for two weeks.
2. I would’ve suspended him, it wouldn’t be fair if a non starter did something and I suspended him and not the starter.
3. Always be ready to be the next man up, this shows why.
1. I have been but I’ve never had to be put into the other players position or I’ve always just started in the sport.
2. Yes I would suspend the best player because every player deserves the same treatment no matter what.
3. It’s because it was a big decision by the coach to have your best player replaced by someone who hasn’t played on the field before and they end up making a huge play and saving the game.
1. In softball last year one of our main outfielders got hurt so I had to go in and play for her. I caught every ball that came to me and I hit every ball. In practice everyday, I would work hard even if we were just running bases.
2. Yes, I would suspend anybody if they violated a rule. I would never play favorites because even though someone may be more athletic that doesn’t change anything because everyone is the same.
3. When the coach put in the back up he was probably nervous but he got out there and did his job to win the game for the team and that shows that he works hard.
1. Yes, i have been the backup and i still am. I run through the same plays and work my best in practice for whenever i have a chance to go in.
2. Yes, if you were playing in a big game and one of the best defensive guys you have i would still suspend you even if it means losing the game. Team rules are important to your coaches and your teammates.
3. Is that when its your time to come up you need to do the best you can. From being a walk on to a game saving stop takes alot to do.
1. Yes i have been the next person up it was in an wrestling match, my friend got injured and i had to wrestle the kid that was above my weight class. It was bad at first i was losing badly in the 1st through 2nd quarter, but when it came around the 3rd quarter i was wrestling my hardest and i still was losing by points when the middle of the 4th quarter i tripped the kid up and i pinned him. How i prepared was i trained really hard.
2.Yes i would have suspended him, because rules are rules and you have to follow them.
3. Its made such a feel-good story because something bad happens then a good ending happens.
1. Yes, my freshman year the senior lineman in front of me got hurt in a game and i was the person that had to play the next couple games till he was better. I prepared myself by asking questions in practice and trying to understand the offense.
2. Yes i would suspend the player. They knew what they were doing was wrong.
3. This story is so inspirational because it shows that a guy that has never been good enough to start made the game winning stop.
1.) I’ve never really been the next person up but, I have seen other people have to be. I watched them work hard for what they wanted to accomplish and succeed. They prepared themselves everyday in practice by working hard and asking questions.
2.) If I were the coach and I had a player break a rule I would suspend them. If you don’t hold people accountable then how are they gonna learn their lesson.
3.) The fact that the boy had never played and then his time finally came and he had a week to study film learn plays and he shocked everyone with what he did.
1. Yes right now I am the next man up. It is teaching me to be patient and I am studying and preparing for my moment to be on the top.
2. Yes I would’ve suspended my best player if he violated team rules because people look up to him and if he violates the rules then the others think they will be able to also.
3. Because it shows how working hard will most likely pay off in the end.
1. Yes I have, it went OK , I practice hard and working out.
2. Yes i would if it is a good rule than I would stick to it till the end.
3. It tells you if you’re the backup then wait for your moment.
1. In any situation, someone could be the next person up. On a job site i worked at over the summer we always had older workers supervising over us. One day they were not there to supervise anyone, so i had to step up and make sure workers were doing their job safely and correctly. Preparing for anything takes time. You must spend your time and effort to succeed anything anything worth doing in life.
2. If I was the coach that had to make that decision, I would have suspended my best player. Just because someone might be my best player, rules still apply to that player. I would make an example out of the situation, showing that rules apply to everyone.
3. This story is inspirational because it’s a classic underdog story. The player that’s not the best gets a chance to show what he can do, and he ends up being successful.
1. In golf my freshman and sophomore years of high school we had five seniors who were on the varsity team if ever they were unable to play me and my friend Sam would’ve been the next in line. However, we were never “up” but we were prepared to play varsity in the occasion we had to.
2.Yes, the last thing you want for any team in any sport or occupation ever, is no discipline enforcement. If you break a law then you suffer the consequence with a fine, jail time, or even death in extreme cases. If you ever break any instated laws or rules then you ought to suffer the consequence for your actions.
3. This player perhaps was never going to get the chance to do his job and not only did he do his given job, he excelled at it. Elsworth was ready to do his part and he most definitely did.
1. I have had the next person up. It went good. I practiced and worked hard to be able to do my job if it was needed.
2. I honestly cant answer that. It depends on the situation and what my best player had done.
3. It shows that with positive attitude and proper preparation you will have good performance.
1. yes i have. It went pretty well, I watched film and took reps with the first team all week.
2. yes i would’ve suspended him. No one is above the team.
3. Because the backup who had waited 5 years for this moment got to start and did a great job and won the game.
I’m the next man up all the time in football I rotate at running back. It goes fine sometimes better.I go out practice all everyday.
If I was a coach yes because you cant’t show favorite or playing him may cost my team and job.
The guy who was the back up came in and made the biggest play of the game.
1. yes I have had to be the next man up. In basketball, this summer we really didn’t have that many of our returning teammates come to camp so I had to start and play with people that I never thought I would ever be on the court with my freshman year. It went pretty well we won most of the games that we played in and I was one of the better defenders on the court. The way I prepared for that moment is that I work every day to try and be the best player that I can be whether that would be knowing the plays or being in shape I always work to the best of my ability.
2.If I was the coach I would have done the same thing because you can’t give certain people better treatment than others because that will start to break away the team of people that you are trying to win with.
3. What makes this story so inspirational is the fact that he never played a single game in his college career but made one of the biggest plays of that year and made the biggest play of the game.
1. Yes, I have had to be the next person up. It went very well for me because I took the time to put a lot of hard work in. Something I was always told was that hard work pays off, and I had come to find out that was very true.
2. If I had a player break my rules, I would suspend them. Rules are rules. You break them, you pay for them. I do not care if you are the star athlete or not. In today’s society, there are some coaches who will play favorites and mot discipline their players. My outlook on that is completely different.
3. This story shows that you work hard no matter if someone is watching or if they are not. It all pays off in the end.
1. No, I haven’t had to be the next-man-up but if the situation was to ever occur I would hope I would be prepared by watching everyone that is playing and learning their every move.
2. Yes, I would. It would be very hard not knowing how the next man up would perform but if someone violates the rules they deserve what is coming to them. It would not be fair to the other players if I was to treat one of them differently.
3. What makes it a feel-good story is that most everybody got what they wanted in the end. The next-man-up got what he wanted and the coach and the player that had to sit out got the win.
1 I have had to be the next man up in wrestling season after one of our seniors went out from an injury. well we had a big dual coming up so I had to step up. The night before the dual I could barely sleep in the hotel room. But i practiced my stance in the midst of this happening.I ended up winning the match the next day.
2. To be honest, I probably wouldn’t have just because he was a star player and we needed him to be there to do his role.It felt good because the guy who did what he was supposed to had his moment to show it.
1.) To this day, I am the ”next one up” quite often. The way I prepare myself for complex situations Is focus.
2.) Yes I would have suspended them, I would suspend anybody but, only for a certain period of time. Everyone makes mistakes. I don’t want other team players thinking they can do something and get away with it.
3.) He had been working for something his whole life and finally accomplished his dreams and made it to where he wanted to be.
1. Yes, we had a rodeo coming up and my cousin got hurt and couldn’t do it, I prepared for a week straight getting used to his riding and technique he was a year or two older than me and it was hard competing against older kids who had more experience but he was was there the entire time to encourage me and guide me through. I ended up in second place at the Ranch rodeo which was big for me since I was younger than all the other competitors.
2. Yes, I would have because you shouldn’t let them play when they violate the team rules.
3. It shows that you should be prepared to be the next man up.
1. I’ve had to be the next person up for being a back-spot for a stunt group. The coach made me practice lifting the up to a half until I finally got the hang of a full up in time for competition.
2. I would have suspended any of them under those circumstances not pick favorite, because they should all be treated equally.
3. It makes it a feel good story because Kyle not only made the play but ran though with it so well they won the game.
I have had to be the next man up multiple times in my life and I’ve had mixed results. There have been times I’ve had to step up and fill the shoes and there were other times I was unable to do so with lack of preparation. Had I been the coach I would have suspended him. If that person wasn’t doing what is right then they should be punished. NO SLACK! That shouldn’t change someones mind just because they are the best. What makes this a feel good story is the fact that there was a 5th year player that had never started a single game. But because he had to step up and prepare for a big role he came in with flying colors and absolutely shut down the full back for the defensive win.
If I was coach I wouldn’t suspend my best player because they are my best player so I would let them play but after the game I’ll make them run for violated a rule
I would suspend my best player to show that they don’t run the team , and that rules need to be followed with the right consequences for all players.
1. Yes, I have. I succeeded despite the pressure. I practiced to make sure I was ready when the time came.
2.Yes I would to show the team that you can’t get away with something just because you’re the best player on the team.
3.Because the backup player won the game.
1. I was the next man up for a basketball game, our starting point guard got injured pretty bad and the coach of my basketball team decided to pick me. In my opinion, I think it went pretty well cause I scored 10 points in that game which I thought was pretty cool.
2. Yes I would suspend my best player because the team rules are very important to other players especially in college because your actions could possibly hurt a player or take them out for the rest of the season which is not a good thing.
3. This is a feel-good story because it shows that if people do not follow the team rules or college rules, rookies could get more playing time than the true all-star of the team.
1.) yes i’ve had to been the next person up many times. i’m shy whenever i’m next up.
2.) depending on the team were playing against determines if i would’ve suspended him or not.
3.) because it’s true and it still happens til this day.
1. No I never been the next person up so I can’t know the idea of how it feels.
2. I would but it also depends on what the player did because going into my office and stealing something my be bad but I don’t know if I would suspend him.
3. Yes, Because it shows how you can deal with cheaters in a good way.
1. I’ve never been the next “man” up.
2. If they didn’t follow the rules I definitely would have suspended them because if they can’t follow the rules then they can’t play. Another thing to thing of is that if they don’t follow rules at school or home or wherever they got in trouble then they probably don’t follow the rules/instructions you give during the game.
3. I think that this story is so inspirational because you can take it so many ways and it’s something to think about and can help you in life.
I agree completely
1.) Yes I have been the next woman up for a few things, I was not prepared at all, but I did really great.
2.)If I was a coach I would suspend them because I don`t want to get fired and they did it themselves.
3.)The reason this story is so inspiring is because it causes others to have respect for others even when they did something wrong.
1- yeah i guess. It wasn’t really hard because i already knew what to do.
2- Yeah, because even tho there the best player i guess we have to be fair and suspend them for doing the wrong thing.
3- Its a feel good story because the back up player won the game.
1.No I didn’t
2.Yes I would suspend him because if I don’t It will show a bad name in ours team.
3. Its makes this story so inspirational or such a feel-good story because its something in the real world.
1.) i have never been like the runner up
2.)I would tell the team that you are good enough to do it even if we don’t win
3.)because people try to dougt thereselfs but when they do it they actually win
1. I never have been the next man up. But i have been preparing though out a large part of my life. I always though what would happen when my brother moves out or the “good players” don’t show up to a soccer game. So i’ve been preparing by learning what my brother does around the house and been teaching myself what the “good players” do at soccer.
2. I would suspend them, the reason why is because if the player doesn’t get punished they will keep on doing that so i think to punish them than to not to.
3. It makes you or other people feel good because it makes people which think they aren’t the best ect can think maybe there’s a chance to shine one day.
1.) Yes I have been the next woman up, I was not prepared at all, but I did it anyway.
2.) If I was a coach I would suspended them because they did to themselves.
3.) This story is inspiring because it let`s others have respect for others even if they did something wrong.
1. probably
2. it depends on how bad the thing is that they do and if others teammates have done it too.
3. because it is good that he does not have favorites .
1. Yes I had to be next man up and it felt like there was a lot of presser on me and I had to live up to the expectations
2. Yes I would suspend my best player just so he or she learns not to do what they did ever a gin in there life because there are some people that will take you of the team forever.
3. What makes the story inspiring is that it tells you that you don’t have to be the first person up for them not to have high expectations for you.
1. No, I never had to be the next person up.
2. If I was in the coach’s shoes, it would depend on what the player has done. If they had done something that sets a bad example for the team or makes the face of the college look bad, I would suspend them. Other than that, I do not think I would suspend them.
3. The story is inspirational because of the outcome of the Rosebowl. It said that Ellsworth was supposed the next man up, even though he’s never started or had an impact on the team. But he secured the win in the end despite not being seen as a leader. Ellsworth was prepared for his job, resulting in his success for the team.
1) Yes I have been the next person and the way I prepared for that is I practiced just as hard as the starts and made sure I was ready for when I did go in.
2) Yes I would have because even if they are your best player they did break rules and need to be disapplied in it.
3) THis is a good story and inspirational because there was times when I wanted to give up for not being the started because I was the next player but now I this has pushed me even hard to then I’ve tried to push myself to just keep going.
1. I kinda have but defiantly was not ready.
2. I wouldn’t suspend him I would take playing time off
3. what makes it inspiral is no matter what keep pushing
1) Have you ever had to be the next person up? How did that go for you? How did you prepare for that moment?
I haven’t been the next person up. If I would be though I would always like to be ready and prepared for that moment. Examples like memorizing different lines in case someone else messes up or is absent.
2) If you were the coach, would you have suspended your best player because he/she violated team rules? Why or why not? It would really suck to do but again we would have to hold everyone to the same standard.
3) What makes this story so inspirational or such a feel-good story? That someone got their chance and they rose to the occasion and saw themselves in a new light and was prepared.
1. Yes I have related to being the next one up, in volleyball and basketball it had happened. I am ready all the time for being subbed in because I am ready to play and do my best.
2. I believe if I was a coach and the best player did something unresponsible I would make them sit out and sub in a different player.
3. The coach put in the player and that player won the game
eve·ry·thing
/ˈevrēˌTHiNG/
Learn to pronounce
pronoun
1.
all things; all the things of a group or class.
1) Have you ever had to be the next person up? How did that go for you? How did you prepare for that moment?
I have never had to be the next person up.
2) If you were the coach, would you have suspended your best player because he/she violated team rules? Why or why not?
I would have suspended my best player because all team members have to follow the rules and be treated fairly.
3) What makes this story so inspirational or such a feel-good story?
This story is so inspirational because the player was on the sidelines got the opportunity to do better and used it well to reach his goals.
This story shows the true meaning of hard work and preparation. it shows the football player be ready and perserveing through all the problems and compications. He was ready in the end ready for anthing.
I have not been the next person up. yes because we all need to learn a lesson and deal with the consequences for not listening. this is such a good story because it talks about how people need to deal with what they have done and to take action in the wrong situations