Encouragement Is Never Unprofessional

Lessons for Daily Life from an NFL Press Conference

I would never have imagined that a postgame NFL press conference could spark such controversy.

But it did.

Context

The Jacksonville Jaguars have never been considered a powerhouse franchise. In their 31 seasons, they’ve made the playoffs only eight times—four of those in their first five years of existence. After finishing 4–13 last season, they surged to a remarkable 13–4 record this year. Only once in team history have they won more games, posting a 14-win season back in 1999. That was the last millennium. So to say this year’s success was impressive is an understatement.

Adding to that, their leader this season was a first-time head coach, Liam Coen. The 40-year-old came over from their cross-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That kind of turnaround is an accomplishment for any coach in his first year with a team—let alone his first year as a head coach at any level of football.

Their season ended in heartbreak with a first-round playoff loss to an equally impressive Buffalo Bills team, who scored a game-winning touchdown with just over a minute left. What had been an exhilarating season for the Jaguars ended on a deeply disappointing note.

Controversy

After a loss like that, second-guessing and “what ifs” from the press are to be expected. Sports journalists can be a brutal bunch. In those moments, coaches often find themselves explaining decisions and defending choices made under immense pressure. Most coaches, to their credit, handle those moments with grace and restraint.

But during the postgame press conference in Jacksonville, something unexpected—and refreshing—happened.

Lynn Jones-Turpin, an experienced journalist and Associate Editor of the Jacksonville Free Press, an African-American newspaper serving Duval County, used her brief moment at the microphone not to criticize, but to encourage. In about 20 seconds, she urged Coach Coen to hold his head high, be proud of what the team had accomplished, and come back even stronger next year. It was a breath of fresh air.

You can view the exchange here.

Since then, I’ve heard and read numerous journalists criticize Turpin for her remarks. Some argue it was neither the time nor the place. Others have labeled her comments unprofessional, claiming she violated journalistic standards.

I wasn’t aware those standards journalistic standards were still a thing.

It’s also worth noting the optics: an older African-American woman offering encouragement to a young Anglo man. The media often pushes a narrative that we are a country deeply divided by race, gender, and countless other lines. They’re very good at rage-baiting on social and racial issues. So perhaps it shouldn’t surprise us when someone dares to go against the grain and choose encouragement instead of outrage.

It often seems that an unwritten rule of modern journalism allows for spinning the truth—or abandoning it altogether—if it serves a preferred agenda. Apparently, ethics can be a flexible term, depending on one’s biases.

Considerations

When it comes to being an encourager, here are a few takeaways from this controversy that I’d like you to consider.

1. Encouragement is biblical.
Scripture repeatedly affirms the power and value of spoken encouragement. Here’s a small sample:

• Proverbs 12:25 – “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”
  

• Hebrews 10:24–25 – “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works… encouraging one another.”
  

• Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up… that it may give grace to those who hear.”
  

• Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt…”
  

2. Everyone can use encouragement.
Every person you encounter today would benefit from a word of encouragement. It costs nothing—but its value is immeasurable.

3. Encouraging others encourages you.
What goes around comes around. You reap what you sow. If you make it your aim to be known as an encourager, you’ll often find encouragement coming back to you right when you need it most.

4. Anyone can be an encourager.
You don’t need a degree, special training, or unique tools. Send a text or email each day with a Bible verse and a personal word of affirmation. Compliment and bless those who serve you in stores, restaurants, or offices.

I keep the following list on my desk to remind me of simple words I can use to encourage others. I don’t remember where I first found it, but I try to share at least one of these with someone every day:

“I am praying for you.”
“You can do it!”
“I love you.”
“It’s going to be OK.”
“I believe in you.”
“I am proud of you.”
“I’ve got your back.”

Let’s start a new kindness trend.
Maybe it’ll catch on.