Marv Levy

[In space no one can hear]

Lets see:

 

1. Marv is HOF Coach

2. Marv has experience in "assisting" with GM related duties in the NFL and CFL

3. Marv took over as GM for a team that was consisently a loser and had lost it's direction

4. Marv has been on the job one year

5. Marv appears to have made a sound decision in hiring Jauron

6. Marv's first draft looks pretty good to me.There is still potential for it to look even better.

7. The franchise is in better position to win IMHO than it was before he took over. He is laying the foundation.

8. Marv has mentored four men that have been GM'S in this league. Polian, Smith, Butler and Ferguson. Each has credited Marv for his influence on them and how it has contributed to any success they have had.

 

Here is part of 5 times NFL Executive of the Year Bill Polian's induction speech when inducting the man he considers his greatest mentor:

 

It is said that leadership is that unique quality which enables special people to stand up and pull the rest of us over the horizon. By that or any other definition, Marv Levy is one of the greatest leaders this game has ever known.

 

His incredible vision for what his teams and players could become - and there are many seated in front of us here today who I think will be up on this podium before long - his magnificent ability to articulate that vision, his boundless kindness and empathy for his players and associates, and his unconquerable will to persevere no matter what the obstacle or odds, left an indelible mark on those of us privileged to be led by him.

 

His famous Marvisms, reflected in a few short sentences. A person, a philosophy, a role model, not only for us, but because of his genius as a teacher, through us for generations to come.

 

Here are just a few:

 

'Everyone wants to win. The special person has the will to prepare to win.'

 

'What you do should speak so loudly that no one can hear what you say.'

 

'Adversity is an opportunity for heroism.'

 

'Expect rejection but expect more to overcome it.'

 

Words not only for winning but for living. And words that remind us not only of the lessons learned and battles fought, but of the profound respect and affection we have for their teacher.

 

Cicero wrote that friends multiply joy and divide sorrow. There wasn't very much sorrow in our days together, and Marv, your friends are here today to thank you and multiply your joy as you take your rightful place among the game's immortals.

 

Perhaps the most famous Marvism of all is the most appropriate today, and you've seen it already: 'Where would you rather be than right here, right now?'

 

Marv, there's no place in the world we would rather be than right here, right now with you.

 

This winter, the great Jerry Magee of San Diego captured in a few eloquent sentences why Marv Levy will be enshrined here today. They bear repeating:

 

'Marv Levy ennobled the coaching profession. Marv Levy ennobled the game of football.

Marv Levy ennobled everyone with whom he came in contact.'

 

You might not like every move he has made(I know I haven't)- but to make belittling and sometimes personal attacks against a man who has been a huge influence over anything positive that has happened to this franchise over the last 20 years and has consistently represented the franchise with honor and grace speaks to ones character or lack thereof.

[SuperBills12]

Great post. all agreed

[JoeF]

thanks blfodan....great post. We will see where these next couple of years go--but you know what--the longer Marv Levy has direct involvement with the happenings at OBD the better in my book.

 

 

By the way, Marv's book is awesome. If you haven't read it...take a gander..

 

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158...g2=eyegetcom-20

[inkman]

I didn't read any of your Marv Levy shill talk. He is old and stupid.

[keepthefaith]

I didn't read any of your Marv Levy shill talk. He is old and stupid.

 

Here's to voting you off the island and seeing you leave in a body bag.

[inkman]

Here's to voting you off the island and seeing you leave in a body bag.

...or you interpreting the smiley appropriately.

[Kuile]

I have a tough time being angry at or not trusting Marv because the team had their best years under him.

[Git'er Done]

Yes, right on. Marv is here to set the tone, to create the right vibe in the the WHOLE organization- the front office, coaching staff, players. I think he's doing a good job. He had to right the ship, and he has. It's cliche, but creating a "winning culture" is what it is all about, the right mind set. Marv has that.

[K-Gun10]

Lets see:

 

1. Marv is HOF Coach

2. Marv has experience in "assisting" with GM related duties in the NFL and CFL

3. Marv took over as GM for a team that was consisently a loser and had lost it's direction

4. Marv has been on the job one year

5. Marv appears to have made a sound decision in hiring Jauron

6. Marv's first draft looks pretty good to me.There is still potential for it to look even better.

7. The franchise is in better position to win IMHO than it was before he took over. He is laying the foundation.

8. Marv has mentored four men that have been GM'S in this league. Polian, Smith, Butler and Ferguson. Each has credited Marv for his influence on them and how it has contributed to any success they have had.

 

Here is part of 5 times NFL Executive of the Year Bill Polian's induction speech when inducting the man he considers his greatest mentor:

 

It is said that leadership is that unique quality which enables special people to stand up and pull the rest of us over the horizon. By that or any other definition, Marv Levy is one of the greatest leaders this game has ever known.

 

His incredible vision for what his teams and players could become - and there are many seated in front of us here today who I think will be up on this podium before long - his magnificent ability to articulate that vision, his boundless kindness and empathy for his players and associates, and his unconquerable will to persevere no matter what the obstacle or odds, left an indelible mark on those of us privileged to be led by him.

 

His famous Marvisms, reflected in a few short sentences. A person, a philosophy, a role model, not only for us, but because of his genius as a teacher, through us for generations to come.

 

Here are just a few:

 

'Everyone wants to win. The special person has the will to prepare to win.'

 

'What you do should speak so loudly that no one can hear what you say.'

 

'Adversity is an opportunity for heroism.'

 

'Expect rejection but expect more to overcome it.'

 

Words not only for winning but for living. And words that remind us not only of the lessons learned and battles fought, but of the profound respect and affection we have for their teacher.

 

Cicero wrote that friends multiply joy and divide sorrow. There wasn't very much sorrow in our days together, and Marv, your friends are here today to thank you and multiply your joy as you take your rightful place among the game's immortals.

 

Perhaps the most famous Marvism of all is the most appropriate today, and you've seen it already: 'Where would you rather be than right here, right now?'

 

Marv, there's no place in the world we would rather be than right here, right now with you.

 

This winter, the great Jerry Magee of San Diego captured in a few eloquent sentences why Marv Levy will be enshrined here today. They bear repeating:

 

'Marv Levy ennobled the coaching profession. Marv Levy ennobled the game of football.

Marv Levy ennobled everyone with whom he came in contact.'

 

You might not like every move he has made(I know I haven't)- but to make belittling and sometimes personal attacks against a man who has been a huge influence over anything positive that has happened to this franchise over the last 20 years and has consistently represented the franchise with honor and grace speaks to ones character or lack thereof.

 

agreed juss one ? where did ferguson gm at?

[nichebiche]

agreed juss one ? where did ferguson gm at?

 

Denver

[Tcali]

Lets see:

 

1. Marv is HOF Coach

2. Marv has experience in "assisting" with GM related duties in the NFL and CFL

3. Marv took over as GM for a team that was consisently a loser and had lost it's direction

4. Marv has been on the job one year

5. Marv appears to have made a sound decision in hiring Jauron

6. Marv's first draft looks pretty good to me.There is still potential for it to look even better.

7. The franchise is in better position to win IMHO than it was before he took over. He is laying the foundation.

8. Marv has mentored four men that have been GM'S in this league. Polian, Smith, Butler and Ferguson. Each has credited Marv for his influence on them and how it has contributed to any success they have had.

 

Here is part of 5 times NFL Executive of the Year Bill Polian's induction speech when inducting the man he considers his greatest mentor:

 

It is said that leadership is that unique quality which enables special people to stand up and pull the rest of us over the horizon. By that or any other definition, Marv Levy is one of the greatest leaders this game has ever known.

 

His incredible vision for what his teams and players could become - and there are many seated in front of us here today who I think will be up on this podium before long - his magnificent ability to articulate that vision, his boundless kindness and empathy for his players and associates, and his unconquerable will to persevere no matter what the obstacle or odds, left an indelible mark on those of us privileged to be led by him.

 

His famous Marvisms, reflected in a few short sentences. A person, a philosophy, a role model, not only for us, but because of his genius as a teacher, through us for generations to come.

 

Here are just a few:

 

'Everyone wants to win. The special person has the will to prepare to win.'

 

'What you do should speak so loudly that no one can hear what you say.'

 

'Adversity is an opportunity for heroism.'

 

'Expect rejection but expect more to overcome it.'

 

Words not only for winning but for living. And words that remind us not only of the lessons learned and battles fought, but of the profound respect and affection we have for their teacher.

 

Cicero wrote that friends multiply joy and divide sorrow. There wasn't very much sorrow in our days together, and Marv, your friends are here today to thank you and multiply your joy as you take your rightful place among the game's immortals.

 

Perhaps the most famous Marvism of all is the most appropriate today, and you've seen it already: 'Where would you rather be than right here, right now?'

 

Marv, there's no place in the world we would rather be than right here, right now with you.

 

This winter, the great Jerry Magee of San Diego captured in a few eloquent sentences why Marv Levy will be enshrined here today. They bear repeating:

 

'Marv Levy ennobled the coaching profession. Marv Levy ennobled the game of football.

Marv Levy ennobled everyone with whom he came in contact.'

 

You might not like every move he has made(I know I haven't)- but to make belittling and sometimes personal attacks against a man who has been a huge influence over anything positive that has happened to this franchise over the last 20 years and has consistently represented the franchise with honor and grace speaks to ones character or lack thereof.

Great post.

Its amazing that the first year Marv is here is the first year since he left that this is actually an intelligent/organized team.

[In space no one can hear]

Denver

 

 

Then his most recent job was General Manager of the Seahawks. He resigned in 2005.

 

Last I heard he was doing some consulting work with various franchises.